Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-02-15
CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8
ooh, II couldn't!" worried Lila
"That's so-intimate."
But she did. When Ford and Dor
Bessant came stamping in all immac-
ulate in white flannels and blue coats
it was easy, for Ford came straight
to her, and caught her two hands in
his.
"Why, you lovely, lovely thing!" he
said sort of dnbelieving1Y. CHOW
listen. I want witnesses to the agree.
ment that nothing can say will be
held against me. You hear, Don ?
This child's in love with someone
"Lucky man." smiled Don Bessant.
"-and she's out to practice her
wiles on me. I'm glad know in ad-
vance it doesn't mean anything, or I'd
run miles. I don't think she's as I'M
sophisticated as she pretends."
There's bears in them there woods
mister" jibed Don, over Delicia's
shoulder, for Delicia was putting a
flower in his buttonhole, and her hair
was in his face, and he bent down to
put kiss in a deep wave.
"You must have flower, too," said
Lila, doing exactly as Delicia was do
ing, only she didn't get a kiss on the
top of her head for her pains. Well,
she thought with a little sigh, it was
probably too soon.
you're doing very WE'LL" approved
Delicia later in the evening. "The
next step is to make him feel pro-
tective. Tommy Ahern is very drunk.
I'll start him in your direction when
you are between dances with Ford,
and you get panicky with him, and
appeal to Ford. 4"
That worked, too, and Ford said:
"This party is stuffy. Let's run
away for little ride, shall we?"
Lila wondered whether he could feel
her heart pounding against his arm
Is they made their way out to his car.
"Be nice if we could have the top
down in this moonlight, but if we did
you'd be blown to pieces" he said.
"I'm a lot prettier when my hairs
all wind blown" she dimpled at him
happily.
"No!" he said, in teasing protest.
"You couldn't bel"
"Put the top down." she commanded.
And after they had ridden a while,
he pulled up beside the road and
turned to stare at her.
"Jove! You were right! The moon
light makes those curls a silver halo.
This must be what the poets call a
night made for love. How would you
like to be kissed?"
Lila's heart did some startled aero
battles. He was supposed to be pre-
tending! But was he? Or did he
really want to kiss her.? And should
she let him? If only she could ask
Delicia! She could scarcely believe
it when she heard her own voice say
"What? So soon?"
It seemed to be the right answer
for Ford slid his arm across her Shout
ders, pulled her little nearer ane
slumped down in the seat, but ht
didn't make any effort to kiss her
Instead he sang softly in her ear.
Beautiful maiden, all alone,
Beautiful maiden with heart of
stone,
All of snow and ice are you,
Drenched in silver moonbeams AM
dew.
Maiden alone, there are so few,
Wearing that pristine beauty new
Whence are you come?
Whittier do go?
Lovely maiden of moonbeams an
snow"
"Lovely!" said Lila, SO happy tina
she thought she'd die of happiness
"I never heard that before. Such swee
words and such haunting melody.
"Of course you didn't. I made
up-just for you"
"Did you-really?" she cried, de
lighted.
81 really did, and you, bright CIR
didn't crow-Oh, Mister Ransom
Did I inspire that?"
"I-I guess-I just don't know tn