Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30

summer and sell him when hunting begins.
l eit11 know which would pay me best.
Ihat certainly is a very important ques-
tion," remarked jamie, with wealth Of
sarcasm.
well, it gives me lot of trouble, Miss
JAMIE"
Does it? And it doesn't interest me in
the very Yes, it does, Bob, very much.
I'm sorry. OF course, it does. Only
Anything the matter with your" Bob in
quired, with friendly solicitude.
''No-not just now. There never is. some
how, when I'm with you. And let's talk
about the black horse-it'll be soothing. Is
Bob laughed little, but did not proceed
with the discussion. They sauntered on in
silence for few minutes, Bob taking out
his tobacco.
Worried, aren't you?" he asked, lighting
Yes" she answered. shortly.
Was that what you wanted to say to
mo, of course not. AS if I should talk
to you about it,
Don't suppose you would, no. Still,
We're friends, aren't we?
do you feel friendly to me?'
'Friendly! Well!' He laughed. what
do you think about it YOURSELF" he asked.
Look here, don't bother you; but I'm
here when you want me-"
When I want your
Il mean, II l can do anything for YOU.
or-or advise you. don't think I'm fool,
you know"
I'm really glad to hear you've got as
far as that" she remarked. rather tartly.
Your fault, Bob. is not thinking nearly
enough Of yourself
You'll soon change that IL you say much
more His pleasure in her implied praise
was obvious, but he did not read a single
word more into her speech than the words
she uttered.
And you are friendly to me-stiIl?'
~ doesn't make any difference to me
whether see you or not"
What? she cried. The next moment
she was laughing. Thanks, Bob, but-but
you've funny way of putting things
sor INES. she laid her hand on his arm
on, you know what 1 mean" he said
putting away. His healthy skin had flushed
a trif1e. but that was his only reply to
her little caress.
Tiff came to you some day and said
ia been fool, or been made fool Of
ana was very unhappy, and-and wanted
comforting, would you still be nice to me?'
pause.
well, If you ever get like that I should
recommend you just to try me for what
I'm worth, ne said Her eyes were fixed
on his face, but he did not look at her
Some men would have seen in her appeal
an opportunity of trying to win from her
more than she was giving. The case did
not present Itself if In that light to Bob
vantage; he hardly believed it, and he had
besides. vague idea that he would spoii
for her the feeling she had II he greeted it
with too much enthusiasm What she
wanted was a frfend-a solid, possibly
rather stOlid, friend; with that commodity
ne was prepared to provide her. The hum
biest OF men have moments of pride; it
must be confessed that Bob thought he
was behaving not only with proper feel
ing, but also with considerable tact-a tact
tnat was based on knowledge Of women
interviews such as these-and they were
not tnfrequent-formed a rather inconeru-
GUS background, but also an undeniab BILE
relief to the life of jamie was leadine at
Fairholme. That seemed to have little
concern with Bob Broadley and to be en-
crossed In the struggle between Harry and
Duplay. Both men pressed on Harry had
not been scared away. Duplay would win
without using his secret weapon, IL he
could. Each had his manner, Harry's con-
strained yet direct, the majors more florid
more expressed in giances. comnIiments
and attentions. But neither had vet risked
| the decisive word jamie was piaying for
delay. The major seemed inclined to grant
1t her But Harry grew impatient. was
imperious in his calls on her time and
might face her with the demand for An
answer any day. She could not explain
| how 1t was. but somehow his conduct
seemed to be conditioned by the progress
| OF Lady Trstram's illness.
About Harry Tristram, anyhow. she was
! right. He was using to it's fun value
his rivals chfvalrons desire to make no
movement during Lady Tristram's life
time: he reckohed on 1t and meant to
pront by II. look OF brutality would be
given to any action OF his while LADY
Tristram lay dying: Harry hoped this as
pect OF his conduct would brighten him.
At least, 1t was worth risking, The doc
tors talked of two months more: Harry
Tristram meant to be engaged before one