White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1935-11-14

Darn your aunt" he scowled. II
didn't come to see her. I am not in
terested in aunts."
"Take care! 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. I
truly am glad you've come. You must
make allowance for my being sur
prised. I 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?"
"sweIl I stopped overnight In
New York at the Gardeners. Mother
wanted me to deliver birthday cake
to Estelle, who, you may remember, is
the matters granddaughter. She's
pippin, too hadn't seen her since
she graduated from Vassar."
Sylvia listened.
She did not need to be told about
the Gardeners.
They had visited Horatio's family
more than once and rumor had it the
elders of both families would be de-
lighted were the young people to make
a match of it.
Tim surprised you did not stay
longer in New York." Sylvia observed,
! gazing reflectively at her white shoe.
"New York wasn't my objective.
came on business, you see. Dad gave
me two months off so could get
| married"
Sylvia jumped.
IT was not aware you were en-
gagged" murmured she in formal,
far-away tone.
"Im not" came frankly from Hora-
ito, Junior. "But I'm going to be- In
fact, chance to have the ring with
me this minute. Want to see it?"
IT always enjoy looking at Jewels
was her cautious retort.
Horatio felt of his pockets.
s'Where on earth did put that
thing?" he muttered "Hope I haven't
lost it. Oh, here it isl
He took out tiny velvet case and
sprang the catch.
"Oh Hortie! Isn't it beautiful"
Sylvia cried. "It fairly takes away
my breath"
"Try it on"
She shook her head.
"It wouldn't fit me. My hands are
too small"
cts a small ring. Here. Put it
on" he urged, holding it toward her.
well, I suppose I might try it to
please you. But I know it will be too
large"
She slipped it on her finger.
sWhy, it does fit. How odd!"
every odd indeed" he answered drily,
as she reached her hand out into the
sun and turned the diamonds so that
they caught the light.
"Looks rather well on, doesn't it?''
was his comment
"It is 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 a 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 IT suppose may as well put it
back in the box
"Don't you think it would be wiser
if took care Of it for you, Hortie?"
suggested she demurely. "You are
dreadfully careless. Only a moment
ago you had no idea where the ring
was. If it is on my finger you'll know
exactly
"Bully idea! So I shall! Now tell
me where you're off to. You were in
a frightful hurry when you burst
through that door,"
$50 was" agreed Sylvia. "And here
am lettering and almost forgetting
my Grand Come! We must hurry. I've
got to go to town. Want to row me
over?"
"You bet your life! Show me the
boat"
Leading the way to the yellow dory,
she took her place opposite him and
he pushed off.
AS they sat facing one another, her
eyes roamed over his brown suit; his
matching tie, handkerchief and socks;
his immaculate linen; his general air
of careful grooming, and she could not
but admit he wore his clothes we'll
He was not small town product.
Three years in an eastern prepara-
tory school, followed by four years Of
college life had knocked all that might
have been provincial out of Horatio,
Junior.
Nevertheless these reflections, inter-
esting though they we're, proved Moth
ing about his knowledge Of the water.