The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-07-08


ded, with Q little smile curying the
corners of her mouth.
It was just quarter to five when
we passed the Kursaal, and a moment
later, as we came in sight of big
gray house, my companion begged me
to stop.
THAT is the Villa Flora, our school,
you know; perhaps it would be better
for me to get out here, else l should
have to explain everything to Madame,
and-but you understand, don't you?"
she added, with such a charming air of
confidence that would have cheerful
ly subscribed to anything she chose to
suggest.
l watched the trim little figure dis
appear under the porte cochere of the
Villa Flora, and having made a note of
the position of the house, drove OFF to
keep an appointment with an Ameri-
can friend at his club.
The club certainly employed a very
competent chef, and the dinner, which
was served in a big room overlooking
the Lake Of Geneva, was an excellent
one.
l had just made up my mind that it
was time to turn in, and after taking
leave of my host was passing rather
noisy group Of young men when my
attention was suddenly arrested by
hearing fragment of their converse
ton.
That's capital story, old chap"
in
you racing down the hillside in pursuit
of the young Mees who was kind
enough to give you the chance of such
a tete-a-tete. The description of the
lady sounds charming, but if you ex-
pect us to believe that she was an
heiress and really CONNIE IL faut--"
A chorus of boisterous laughter from
the rest of the group completed the
sentence, in the midst of which an ex-
was quite true.
IF you fellows doubt it, perhaps you
will be convinced when l tell you that
she is a charming little school girl
from the Villa Flora, and her name is
Miss Phyl-,'
He didn't get any further, for the
simple reason that l rushed forward
collar and jerked him over the railing
of the terrace.
eff you dare to mention that young
lady's name now or at any other time 1
will chuck you into the lake!' said l,
and though my French is execrable,
think the fellow understood me.
At any rate his companions did, for
they made a deuce of row, and the
little Frenchman writhed and kicked
to such an extent that was obliged to
assure him that if he didn't keep quiet
should be tempted to drop him over
the parapet without waiting for his
promise of silence on the subject un-
der discussion. He clustered a good
deal, but finding his position some
what uncomfortable gave the required
promise.
AS l hauled him back over the rail-
ing was overwhelmed by such hub
bub of excited French voices limiting
at duels and what not that it was the
greatest relief to hear calm English
voice asking what the row was all
about.
1T was just little difference of
opinion" said I, las to this gentle
mans right to mention the name of an
lady"
IF it comes to having the right to
defend the lady in question, perhaps
has prior claim!" said the
little Frenchman whom had dangled
over the railing a moment before.
Monsieur is quite right" said 1, ig-
noring the obvious sheer, ''for l hap
pen to be the young lady's uncle!"
Mon Dieu, Villar, if it is a question
of the young lady's relation. there is
nothing more to be said!" exclaimed
another voice.
l was turning to leave the terrace
when I was confronted by a tall,
bronzed Englishman, who held out his
hand.
"Hullo, Vermont" he said; 80 it was
you who shook that little beggar. I'd
have done it myself If l had known
they were discussing an English girl.
How odd that you, too, should have
niece at school in Beau Rivage."
But l haven't! l was only doing
deputy for the girls real relations and
as a matter of fact I know nothing
whatever about her, except that she Is
the daintiest and most charming little
lady in the world. Her name is Phyl
lis Marston, and"
What" echoed Colonel Heriot. do
you mean to say those French bound
ers were discussing my sisters little
girl? And where the deuce did you
come in?"
did my best to explain matters and
must have succeeded more or less, for
when a couple of days later Miss
Phyllis Marston joined her uncle l was
introduced to the lady in due form.
Colonel Heriot was not particularly
keen on motoring, but as his niece was
l managed to obtain permission to
teach her to drive the machine. 1t