The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-03-19

She buried herself In n book, re-
solved to be very dignified in the fu
| ture.
A shower had arisen; the rain was
beating in and II was necessary to
close the window; he seemed glad
of the interruption, and seized upon
IL to make some remarks upon the
country they were passing through.
AS she lay down her book and gave
him her attention, she noticed that
his right eye was no longer closed:
| II was almost as wide open as the
other. although 1t still dropped a lit.
tie. as II 1t mad been hurt. II sudden
| ly flashed upon her that she must
have hit him when she made her vio-
lent entry-that was what he meant
by his speech about the umbrella.
Your eye"-she starimered. the
image OF remorse. did I? Did you
mean. oh. I hope I didn't hurt you
very much!"
1T was nothing. really nothing; |
scarcely feel 1t now" he hastened to
assure her for her eyebrows were
drawn together and her lips were
|
as II she were going to cry.
But | might have put your eye
OUT" she gaspei.
you might have done many things
with that deadly umbrella. But you
didn't-please don't think of It again."
he pleaded.
How good of you" she murmured.
gazing at aim with admiration.
MAY | ask" he resumed after a
moment. whether you were at Shep-
herds some weeks ago with the Van
Duzers?"
Yes" she said. "Mr. Van Duzer
is my uncle: | went up the Nile with
him ana my aunt. Were you in Cairo?"
Unfortunately I reached there just
as your party was leaving. met Mr..
Van Duzer whom I have often seen
at home in-er-England. but | only
had a glimpse of the rest of his party.
| was sure, though. that remembered
you. am-er-Sir Hugh Chester"
he added after a pause. Il don't sup
pose Mr.. Van Duzer will have men,
toned me-"
But of course he did" she cried
"He talked a lot about you. and was
so sorry that we missed you as we
did. Isn't it odd that should hap
pen on you in this way?"
ITS uncommonly pleasant-for
me-"
But supposing | had put your eye
out with that wretched umbrella :?
Uncle George would never have for
given me-"
"'Uncle George?'" he queried with
quizzical expression. and they
joined in light hearted burst of
laughter.
You see he thinks so much of
you" she explained.
We'll. then you ought to feel that
| am properly presented. and youll
let me take you out to get some lun-
cheon. Here's whore we stop for
food-such as it is
And You won't think I'm one of
those dreadful American girls who
keep 'mommem and 'popper' in the
background and just STRAIN around
having good time regardless? There
are few specimens left, but not
nearly so many as your novelists
would lead you to suppose"
II won't tell you what l think" he
declared. but ! shouldn't mind tell
ing Uncle George"
The long hours flew by in discus
sions of books and people-for they
found some acquaintances in common
and the exchange of what Beatriy
called views of life" Together they
laughed over the queer dishes of theii
makeshift dinner, and when Sir Hugh
returned from a smoke at the next
stop, he found Beatrix pcnsively
watching the rising moon.
; please. when you next discuss
Americans" said she-''you do dis
cuss us now, you know; the time has
gone by when you confounded us with
the outer barbarians--do not say that
: the American girl on her travels is in
the habit OF talking a dozen hours or
a stretch with the companions Heay
en- sends her. They are not all sc
/ spoiled as ! am: confess am ap,
to do what | like
, II don't think | shall Judge tn,
American girl by YOU" said Sir Hugh
Then, after watching her a moment
Since you are speaking of yourself
don't you think you are rather a per
verse little person? Even your dim
! pie is in place where no one else
has dimples.'
[ rs it?" said Beatrix. do tell me
' more about that delightful Poltica
. Reform club; l am so interested ii
! it,"
! 1t was amazing how much the,
; found to talk about; one stout ol.
lady got nut and another got in, bu
: rs no tourists appeared to intcrrup
= their tete-a-tete, and az the night Eel
Q and the train climbed the heights ..
y the Scmmering Pass they were ief
r alone. The full moon was foodin,
3 the deep blue spaces Of the sky an,
: filling the valleys with a mystery O
A | all nexht -.