All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 169: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

OW Sree pele OP RA YP LP be Fae ee o ” : WS 4 ran \ < iM Pd Ae? ee eA ae : -" ’ yy FeO NE eae a Pech ee ee Wait ‘ a vih4 y hi ” ‘¥ . There was some tacit understanding be- tween them that the lady of the cottage should be entitled to the privilege of an armistice. She took the envelope from Knock, - glanced at the address and opened it. Nat- uralist and fisherman watched as she drew forth a slip of paper, and each thought that he detected a curious expression in her eyes. The envelope contained nothing but a check, drawn to the order of “ Cash” and authorizing the payment of one hundred dollars. Miss Dean slipped it back in the envelope, excused herself for a moment and bid the courier to wait. When she returned from the cottage she handed another envelope te Knock. “Take it to Mr. March, please,” she said. Both gentlemen were regarding her with alarm as Knock trotted off. She smiled at them reassuringly. “Mr. March sent a check to pay his bet,” she explained. They gasped | simultaneously. Higgins rallied first. “Good thing you sent it back to him,” he declared. ‘He’s not the kind of a per- son to have anything to do with.” “Probably worthless, anyhow,” said Til- ley, taking his cue. “IT prefer cash myself,” admitted Miss Dean. ‘“ Well, what are we going to do? Chase butterflies or catch fish?” “ Butterflies!” cried Tilley. ~ “ Fish!” said Higgins hastily. “‘ Let’s do both,” she said. “Come! We have a whole afternoon.” When the Grouch received the return ~ message he snatched it from the courier’s hand, demanding: ‘““ What did she say?” ‘“‘Nothin’,” replied Knock. ‘She was busy talkin’ to Mr. Higgins an’ Mr. Tilley.” The Grouch scowled blackly and opened the envelope. What he found was a sheet of note-paper with this: Received on account, “$100.00. one pair slippers. Balance due, LovuIsE DEAN. He stared at it for a few seconds, then THE "GROUCH, : Bll rast it into his pocket. When Knock was out of sight his face relaxed into a grin. CHAPTER XXIII. MISS DEAN IS ASHAMED OF HERSELF, IGGINS went in the evening to the H cottage and, through a sense that is peculiar of women, Miss Dean in- stantly knew why. So she tried to talk about fishing, and when that failed, about other things in which Higgins ought to have been interested. But it was all fruitless, for he would not be denied. ‘Tt isn’t any use trying to steer me off,” he said, shaking his head gravely, “as you’ve been trying to do. I’ve just got to speak about it.” “TI suppose so,” she sighed. “T don’t want you to think I’m unrea- sonable; and. I wouldn’t annoy you for the whole world. But I made a fool of myself that morning and I’ve got to sét it right.” She was tempted to accuse him in mock reproach, but checked her lips, although he caught the expression on them. “Qh, please don’t get me wrong again!” he exclaimed, flushing. ‘I don’t mean I made a fool of myself because I asked you to marry me. No! It was the way I did it. “It was all wrong—wrong, Miss Dean. I want to apologize for it.” “Please don’t. It doesn’t call for apol- ogy—far from it.”’ “Yes, it does,” he declared stubbornly. “IT daresay I wrecked every chance I had, right there. It wasn’t any way to do things at all.” “Well,” she admitted, slowly, “it was unusual. But, then, it was original, too.” “Don’t laugh,” pleaded the fisherman. “T don’t believe you understand how serious I am.” “T’m not laughing; really. I wouldn’t think of it. And I do believe you’re serious, Mr. Higgins. Whatever you are, I’ll always believe you’re sincere.” He looked at her gratefully. ‘Then you'll believe this,” he said grave- ly. “TI love you.” Miss Dean looked faintly troubled. fh ‘ : gi ' . - , : ( x Vi. ad iv WAS lighted a4 7 AR 12 ' } a Poe PLY LD bee heb a le yh : 2. ) ey NT AT : hota abet o (hi ve Py Oh Fe . NORA aN by ABM WAN 2 RUA, AUTO GIRLS CEDAB NARS veh leah HLM y