The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19
CHAPTER XIII


 their special hill The air was soft and sweet against their faces, in Comics flying golden hair; it held the promise of spring that would come early to the southern valley. The night was beautiful and still.
 Comics hand, slipped through the crook of Bret's elbow. tight ened. Dearest" she said, do you remember that first day We met-the things we talked about?"
 Every word" Bret vowed. His dark eyes laughed down into hers. Their stride kept pace in swinging rhythm.
 "You asked me oh, so very politely, if I would care to see your paper" she reminisced.
 T had to find some way to get acquainted!
 And I never dreamed you were starting a f1irta tion!"
 "Is that what you call this!" He stopped so quickly that she bumped against him. There was no one to see, so he gathered her closer a brief, tender moment, his lips just brushing the top of her head that reached to his shoulder. For Bret was most romantic young man these days, he who had had no time for such nonsense
 eff you think you are merely flirting with me, young lady, you're greatly mistaken! This, my sweet, is for keeps. Forever and ever and ever"
 "Oh, darling, I hope it isl" She chung to him moment longer. Forever was such long time. It was so soon to be tested.
 ''You don't sound too hopeful v he reproved, tucking his arm un- der hers again. Don't you remem- Der that l told you I'd never let you go, now that I've found you? I owe a great deal to that news paper introduction, to the bad man who stole all your money. to that baby for knocking off your glasses. You know, honey, that was when I fell for you, though l WAS such goop didn't know 1t. I was completely bowled over when I first saw you standing there, so proud and lovely. made up my mind right then and there I must take care Of you tor the rest of your life"
 q believe" she said, that's the o,lv reason you liked me. You thought I was a damsel in distress, needing your masculine protection. NOW suppose, Bret, again her hold on his arm frightened, Il hao been that other girl - the one we talked about that day, the one l uretened to be - remember? sup 1,ose I had been Constance Coroy, the richest girl in the world?'
 Her heart beat hard, in time to their step, as she waited for hls ans wer. It,. wouldn't care for that sort o1 gnl
 "And I said she might be just like any other girl. Like myself for instance" 1,;,
 "she couldn't be like you" HIS hold on her arm frightened. "There is only one of you. You are tnc onlv one. Sounds like riddle or n nun, but it's fact, sweetheart. So why are we talking about that other girl? She has nothing at all to do with us." They had reached to,, of their hill. There was a loc that they used for a seat to survey the twinkiing little village spread down beneath them ana the stars, twinkling too, Ill the dark sky overhead. ,..,,
 Bret licked away the dust Wlth his pocket handkerchief, spread It for her with gallant hourlsn' sYour box seat, my lady," he said "Your throne, if you Will For, don't you see, you are the ncnest pirI in the world, for all that lies before you is your kingdom. DO vo,1 suppose" he added, laughing .this poor subject might sit beside you?" .,.o,, ,
 q grant my royal permission. Connie smiled; but her heart dld not beat so hard now, almost It seemed not to beat at all.
 "In a few weeks" Bret said, "the bridge will be finished. Then we'll be married. You will be Mrs. Breton Hardesty How does that sound?"
 "It sounds lovely!" Connie hreathed. The time had come her hour was ended - now she must tell him. But, darling" she slipped her hand into his, sum moned all her courage. T am that girl-just as you said, as we pre- tended. I am Constance Corby."
 He did not say anything. He looked at her; slowly withdrew his hand. "You - but you couldn't be! You're pretending now" But he rnew that she was not. He saw in her eyes that now pretense was finished. "You'r elaughing at mel!