, 1902-09-19

'T don't suppose my presence here both
ers you In the least, does lit"
Madam" said Jasper, 81 am . reck-
less user of the truth. Your presence
prevents me from attending to my du-
ties.c
perhaps this is your busy dayT" said
J the girl, innocently.
All my days are busy days"
"Then, of course, 1t Is just as con-
venlent for me to call to-day as any
other day" said the girl.
Jasper looked at her with a comical
expression. He was a little near.
sighted, and, as was his custom with
callers, he had scarcely given her an
Now, at shorter range, he saw that she
was much prettler than he at first sup
posed. She certainly was a very charm
ing girl. A troubled look came into a
per's eyes. :
~ beg your pardon" he said, "but
may l remind o that you haven't
stated your business with me?"
The girl looked into his eyes with a
clear, frank gaze. Then she slightly
smiled and slowly removed an elastic
band that held the small package she
bore in one neatly gloved hand. Jasper
took quick advantage Of her averted
gaze to pull down his cuffs and make
a quick pass at his twisted tie.
81 have written something" she said,
"and 1 want to submit it to you"
Jasper felt himself weakening. Ordi-
narily he would have taken the manu-
script, and, hastily %scribbling the writ
er's address on 1t, would have tossed 1t
aside with the remark that he would
communicate with the writer by mai
concerning it-and then he would have
resumed his work.. Now he hesitated.
His pencil dropped from his fingers. He
Strengthened up a little.
what Is the nature of the articleT'
he asked, In what he fancied was an
Indifferent tone. 4.
ut isn't an article" said the girl.
do 1 look like a person who would
write an articleT'
She seemed to challenge his scrutiny.
Jasper couldn't resist the temptation.
He leaned a little farther back.
at isn't always possible'to judge by
the appearance" he said
But I fancied article writer's were
always old, and-and fussy, and-and
cranky" said the girl.
'"There are EXCEPTIONS" said Jasper.
ssr1L 49, yaxxok he nxannttnno
II suppose you know" said the girl.
"But it isn't an article" -.
"You arouse my worst fears" said
Jasper, as the girl spread out the manu-
script.
81 think I understand what you
mean," she said.
I'm glad you do"
"And I'm afraid your worst fears are
confirmed" she said.
Jasper sighed.
.Then it Is verses 2" he said.
81 supposed it was poetry" said the
girl.
"They always do" said Jasper.
: .sHcha girl AupRthimAwith-A
pretty grimace.
"You are not a bit encouraging" she
said.
Its the better way" said Jasper.
"And yet you write verses yourself"
said the girl. "And get them printed,
too"
perhaps 1t Ia because l haven't a
friend honest enough to dlssuade me-"
said Jasper. II have had no time for
that sort of nonsense lately, however"
That's a pity said the girl.
"Don't think to soften. me In that
way" said Jasper.
81 like those lines beginning. She
came upon me unawares,'" said the
girl. 81 know them by heart. She
came upon me unawares, I turned and
she was there"
The girl gave him a sidelong glance.
did she come upon you unawares,
Mr.. Dane?"
Jasper caught the glance and slightly
flushed. His look grew troubled again.
Il live In hopes" he said.
That's enigmatical," laughed the
girl. TT shows you are not sure"