The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-12-06
CHAPTER XII

her most magnificent air, "whar
brought you to Wilton-I really can
not"
Cant you" grinned Horatio cheer
fully.
N"No, cannot"
From his superior height Of six
feet-two, he looked down at her meager
FIVE feet, amusement twinkling in his
eyes.
Sylvia, however, was too intent on
patting her curls into place to heed
his glance.
you wrote me to come, didn't your
he presently inquired.
II wrote you to come"
"Well at least you led me to sup
pose you'd like it If were here" per-
sisted Horatio. Toward the bottom
of page two you said: I am posi-
lively homesick'; and in the middle
of the back of page three you wrote:
1T seems years since I've seen you
"What if 1 did," answered the girl
with disdainful shrug.
Nevertheless the dimples showed in
her cheeks.
"And that isn't ALL" Horatio went
on. cat the end Of page five you
wrote: Would that you were here !"
Sylvia bit her lip.
'"That was only figure Of speech
what Is called poetic license"
"Then you didn't mean it when you
said you wished I was here"
Horatio was obviously disappointed.
"Why, of course am pleased to see
you, Horatio. 1t is very nice Of you to
come to the Cape to meet my aunt
and"
Darn your aunt I" he scowled. Il
didn't come to see her. am not inter-
ested in aunts."
"Take care! l happen to be very
keen on this aunt of mine. If she
didn't like you, you might get sent
home. Don't be horrid, Hortie.
truly am glad you've come. You must
make allowance for my being sur
prised. l haven't got over it yet How
in the world did you contrive to get
away at this season? And what sort
of trip did you have"
Swell l stopped overnight In
New York at the Gardners. Mother
wanted me to deliver a birthday cake
to Estelle, who, you may remember, is
the matters god-daughter. She's
pippin, too. l hadn't seen her since
she graduated from Vassar."
Sylvia listened.
She did not need to be told about
the Gardners.
They had visited Horatio's family
more than once and rumor had 1t the
elders of both families would be de.
lighted were the young people to make
a match of it.
I'm surprised you did not stay
longer in New York." Sylvia observed,
gazing refectively at her white shoe.
New York wasn't my objective. I
came on business, you see. Dad gave
me two months off so I could get
married.
Sylvia jumped.
II was not aware you were en-
gagged" murmured she in a formal,
far-away tone.
"rm not" came frankly from Hora-
ito Junior. But I'm going to be.
In fact l chance to have the ring with
me this minute. Want to see it?"
II always enjoy looking at Jewels"
was her cautious retort.
Horatio felt of his pockets.
"Where on earth did put that
thingY' he muttered. Hope I haven't
lost it. Oh, here 1t is"
He took out tiny velvet case and
sprang the catch.
"Oh, Hortie! Isn't 1t beautiful"
Sylvia cried. at fairly takes away
my breath"
"Try 1t on"
She shook her head.
ut wouldn't fit me. My hands are
too small
'Tt's a small ring. Here. Put 1t
on" he urged, holding 1t toward her.
swell, suppose might try it to
please yoa. But know it will be too
large"
She slipped it on her finger.
"Why, it does fit. How odd!"
every odd indeed" he answered
drily, as she reached her hand on.
into the sun and turned the diamonds
SO that they caught the light.
Looks rather well on, doesn't itr
was his comment.
sit is a beautiful ring"
Horatio, standing behind her, twice
extended his arms as If to gather her
into them and twice withdrew them,
deciding the action to be premature.
At length with determined sQuar-
ing of his shoulders, he locked his
hands behind him and stood looking
on while she continued to twist the
ring this way and that
"Well," yawned he after an inter-
val, II suppose I may as well put 1t
back in the box"
<TO m CONTTNUEDl