The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-06-11

alone"
Miss Brewster sighed, and slowly
shook her head.
That wouldn't have made the least
difference if you had really trusted me-"
"Oh, 1 say! You couldn't expect
man to-
Yes, could"
What, merely friend?"
Miss Brewster nodded.
We'll, all can say" remarked Went.
worth, with a laugh, lis that friend
ship has made greater strides in the
states than it has in this country
Before Jennie could reply the useful
boy knocked at the door and brought in
tea tray, which he placed before his
master, then silently departed, closing
the door noiselessly.
May 1 offer you a cup of tea?'
"Please. What curious custom this
drinking of tea is in business offices.
I think 1 shall write an article on "A
Nation of Tea Tipplers.' If 1 were an
enemy to England, instead of being it's
greatest friend, l would descend with
my army on this country between the
hours of four and five in the afternoon,
and so take the population unawares
while it was drinking tea. What would
you do if the enemy came down on you
during such a sacred national cere-
mony?"
II would offer her cup of tea" re-
piled Wentworth, suiting the action to
the phrase.
"Mr. Wentworth" said the girl, arch
ly, you're improving. That remarI:
vas distinctly good. Still, you must
remember that l come as friend, not
as an enemy. Did you ever read the
Babes in the Wood?' 1t is a most in
structive but pathetic work of fiction
You remember the wicked uncle, sure
ly. Well, you and Mr.. Kenyon remind
Inc of the babes, poor, innocent, little
things, and London-this part of it
is the dark and painless forest. 1 am
the bird lowering about you, waiting to
cover you with leaves. The leaves, to
do any good, ought to be checks futter-
ing down on you, but, alas! haven't
any. If negotiable checks only grew
On trees. life would not be so difficult"
Miss Brewster slipped her tea pensive-
ly, and Wentworth listened to the
musical murmur of her voice, which
had such an enhancing effect on him.
that he paid less heed to what she sail
than man should when lady is speak
ing. The tea drinking had added a
touch of domesticity to the tete-a-tetc
that rather went to the head of the
young man. He clinched and un-
clinched his hand out of sight under
the table and felt the moisture on his
palm. He hoped he would be able to
retain control over himself, but the
difficulty of his task almost overcome
him when she now and then appealed
to him with glance or gesture, and he
felt as If he must cry out: MY girl, nv
girl, don't do that, if you expect me 10
stay where l am
Il see you are not paying the slight.
est attention to what l am saying" she
said, pushing the cup from her. She
rested her arms on the table, leaning
slightly forward, and turning her face
full upon him. Il can tell by your
eyes that you are thinking of some
thing else"
Il assure you," said George, drawing
deep breath, Il am listening with in
tense interest"
well, that's right, for what 1 am
going to say is important. Now, to
wake you up, 1 will first tell you all
about your mine, so that you will under,
stand l did not need to ask anyone for
information regarding it."
Here, to Wentworth's astonishment.
she gave rapid and accurate sketch of
the negotiations and arrangements be-
tween the three partners and the pres.
ent position of affairs
How do you know all this?" he
asked.
Never mind that, and you mustn't
ask how l know what l am now going
to tell you, but you must believe it i'm
plicitly and act upon it promptly.
Longworth is fooling both you and
Kenyon. He is making time, so that
your option will run out; then he will
pay cash for the mine at the original
price, and you and Kenyon will be left
to pay two-thirds of the debt incurred
Where is Kenyon"
He has gone to America
That's good. Cable him to get the
option renewed. You can then try to
form the company yourselves in Lon
don. If he can't obtain a renewal, you
have very little time to get the cash to-
gether, and if you are not able to do
that then you lose everything. This
is what 1 came to tell you, although
have been a long time about it, Now
must 60"
She rose, gathered her belongings
from the table, and stood with the para
sol pressed against her. Wentworth
came around to where she was stand
ing, his face paler than usual, probably
because of the news he had heard. Onc
hand was grasped tightly around one
wrist in front of him. He felt that he
should thank her for what she had
done, but his lips were dry and some
how the proper words were not at his
command.
She, holding her fragile lace-fringed
parasol against her with one arm, was
adjusting her long neatly-fitting glove,
which she had removed before tea. A
button, one of many, was difficult to
fasten, and as she endeavored to put it
in its place her sleeve fell away, show
ing round white arm above the glove.
You see" she said, a little breath
1essly, her eyes upon her glove, cit is
very serious situation, and time is of
great Importance"