The Best American Humorous Short Stories

ot being so easy to locate in sunlit autumn woods. Time after time he quickened his pace, only to find that he had been fooled by a patch of dog

conscious of his presence, especially after she had seen him. Her pose showed her

tood a-uptoe, were all of a deep, rich brown that proved an exquisite foil for the pink and cream of her cheeks. He remembered that her eyes were a

ing any nearer. It would not do, either, to be seen staring at her if she should happen to turn her head, so he veered off, intending to regain the road. It w

or himself, when the unwitting maid looked carefully down and saw a tangle of roots at her very feet. She was s

not been noticing her at all, and yet he had started to her side before

istance?" he anx

g the proffered help, she extricated her foot, picked up her autumn branches, and turned away. She was intensely averse to anything that could be construe

after he had held it quite long enough. "Nothing whatever. I gave m

, with you," he insisted, gathering up her armload of

sures he smiled to himself, ever so slightly

ed as they regained the road and saunt

noticed that smile as he stooped. He must be

now Billy Evans, of Bo

but very little acq

n hopes you knew Billy. All sorts of a

ed at the error. In spite of the sly smile that he h

conversation lagged in spite of him. Miss Van Kamp would not for the world have it understood that this unconvent

is!" he exclaimed, making one more brave

he rooms in it are as quaint and

uspicion of a smile deepened the dimple in the cheek toward him. The smile was glowing che

ere," he admitted with the keen appreciati

s furious, but I rather

like an A

with him. "Awfully selfish of us,

as they emerged from the woods, now became quite perceptible. There might be people

ad set in, and he made one more attempt t

now Peyson Kingsley, o

people, you see." She was rather regretful about it this time.

squares of glass flashing jubilantly in the sunlight. Mrs. Ellsworth leaned o

tones. "Kindly excuse yourself and come r