About This Book
"Hello, peaches " The girl in the calico dress turned quickly. There was a startled look in her brown eyes, and she drew back a little from the gate. The laughing words had been flung at her breathlessly by a boy who was trotting along the road-a boy in running-togs with "P. H. S." in red letters across the breast of his white shirt. He came from the north, and the girl had been leaning upon the gate and looking south, across the bridge that spanned the canal and led into the town of Ph nix. "I-I don't think I know you," murmured the girl, a look of repugnance crossing her brown, pretty face. "Yes, you do," panted the boy, swinging in toward the gate and coming to a halt. "Sure you know me." Catching hold of the gate-palings he steadied himself and grinned in a manner which he must have thought engaging. "Why, you've seen me a dozen times, anyhow. Take another look." After stealing a furtive glance at him the girl took a step backward. "I've seen you, yes," she said quietly, "but I don't know you-and I don't think I care to know you." "Don't jump at conclusions like that," the boy went on with a cool laugh. "You're old McReady's girl, Susie, and I'm-well, right here's where I introduce myself. I'm Dace Perry, captain of the High School cross-country team. Had the boys out for a practise run this morning, and as I'm 'way in the lead of all of them except Clipperton, I reckon I'll linger in this fair spot until they come up. Don't be so bashful, Susie; I won't bite, honest.""
