How Can the Heart Forget by Emilie Loring

Author:Emilie Loring [Loring, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2019-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

XIV

It required several seconds for Ann to recover from her surprise sufficiently to appreciate the relief which filled her at Bruce’s announcement. He and his attractive sister were exactly what her father believed them to be, and not a pair of crooks masquerading with evil designs on the neighborhood. But with that fact established came the realization of her own behavior.

Ann sank on the veranda railing and regarded Peter Bruce with dismay.

“Can you ever forgive me—especially for calling the police?”

“Under the circumstances I admire your presence of mind.” He perched beside her on the rail. “But equally I applaud the change of heart which allowed me to escape a session with the boys in blue; at present that would have been awkward.”

“Why?” Ann demanded, and again suspicion stirred.

Peter Bruce laughed at her.

“From your tone you have an unbridled imagination, but don’t overwork it. Who would choose to have to explain my situation at that moment? Let’s get back to how I got into that position—if you care?”

“I’m panting to hear!”

He settled more comfortably on the broad railing and folded his arms. The distant orchestra hummed soft background music for his lowered voice.

“To appreciate the picture, you should know about our family which consists of Susan, me—and one pet. A few minutes ago, telling about the errand she sent me on, Sue almost let the cat out of the bag—and that’s no mere figure of speech—but suddenly went shy and wouldn’t admit to your father that she is a cat-loving old maid.”

Ann sniffed and shook her head.

“If knockout Susan is an ‘old maid,’ then that’s my ambition!”

“Which you will never achieve,” Peter murmured with an admiring glance. “Although I understand from your father that you are still single. What’s the matter with the men of this fair burg? Not that I object, believe me! I’m staking a claim right now!”

“Go on with your explanation, please.”

“Crushed!” He grinned and obediently proceeded. “All right, as I explained, our family consists of us two and a cat, a many-times prizewinning cat which Sue calls ‘Delilah,’ and I address only as ‘Scat!’ On our first night in the new house that feline fiend slipped out and disappeared—looking over the neighborhood, I suppose. Natural enough, and all right with me!”

“Don’t you like cats?” Ann asked.

“Sure, but Delilah can’t stand me. She sits eying me with such cold contempt that I shrivel. Anyway, Sue began to worry when she didn’t come home; you know that sort of hysteria—‘the poor creature is lost!—wandering helpless in a strange place—devoured by that dreadful dog we heard barking next door!’ ”

Ann bridled. “Monty is not a dreadful dog, he’s perfect!”

“Does he chase cats?”

“Well—of course. All dogs do.”

Peter Bruce nodded and shrugged.

“Therefore all dogs are dreadful, quote from Sister Sue. Anyway, I was elected to go and find sweet Delilah—a black cat, in the dark, in surroundings completely unknown to me, mind you! It was pure dumb luck that I sighted her in your garden.

“Of course I knew it was your place, and as the house wasn’t lighted, I sneaked over.

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