The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-05-26


unused, but he'll find it out soon
enough; and, hang it all, l can't tell
him how l feel about his own sister
after all the rot I've stuffed into him. y
CHAPTER XXvI.
TT HE next morning as soon as he
was up Alan went to his s.
| lsz=ssSs ter's room. He found Der
SSssgSsJ dressed and ready for him.
| She was seated before cheerful
CRATE fire looking over magazine she
had brought to pass the time on the
| train.
"Come in" she said, pleasantly
enough, he reflected. now that Miller
was not present TO absorb her atten-
ton. Il expected you to get up lit
tie earlier. These guns down at the
barroom just about daybreak walked
me, and | couldn't go to sleep again.
There is no use denying it, Al, we
have barbarous way of amusing our
selves up here in north Georgia"
He went on and stood with his back
60 the fire. still unable to rid his brow
of the frown it had worn the night be-
fore.
"Oh, | reckon you've got too Gifted
for us" he said, "along with other ac-
complishments that fast set down
there has taught you"
Adele laid her book open on her lap.
Look here, Alan" she said, quite
gravely. whats the matter with you?'
Nothing that ! know Of" he said,
without meeting her direct gaze.
well. there is she said, as the out
come of her slow inspection of his
clouded features.
He shrugged his shoulders and gave
her his eyes steadily.
Il don't like the way you and Miller
are carrying on" He hurled the words
at her sullenly. You see, know him
through and through"
"Well. that's all right" she replied,
not finching from his indignant stare,
! "but what's that got to do with my
conduct and his?"
"You allow him to be too familiar
with you" Alan retorted. Hes not the
kind of man for you toto act that
way with. He has flirted with dozen
women and thrown them over; he
doesn't believe in the honest love of a
man for q woman or the love of wo-
man for man."
"Ah. am at the first of this" Adele,
instead of being put down by MS
stormy wordG. was smiling inwardly.
Her lips were rigid. but Alan saw the
light of keen amusement in her eyes.
us he really so dangerous? That
makes him doubly interesting. Most
girls love to handle masculine gun
powder. Do you know. if was Dolly
Barclay. for instance, an affair with
you would not be much fun. because
I'd be so sure of you. The dead level
of your past would alarm me-"
THANK heaven. all women are not
alike! was the bolt he hurled at her.
IF you knew as much about Ray Mil
Ter as do. you'd act in more dignifed
way on first acquaintance with him."
con first-oh, | see what you
meanv' Adele put her handkerchief to
her face treated herself to a merry
laugh that exasperated him beyond en-
durance. Then she stood up. smoothing
her smile away. Lets go to breakfast.
I'm as hungry as bear. / told Ray
burn-I mean your dangerous friend.
Mr.. Miller-that we'd meet him in the
dining room. He says he's crazy for a
cup of coffee with whipped cream in it.
| ordered it just now"
1.-THE dew Alan bit the word In
two and strobe from the room. she fol-
lowing The first person they saw in,
the big dining room was Miller. stand
ing at the stove in the center of the
room warming himself He scarcely
looked at Alan in his eagerness TO have
a chair placed for Adele at little TIA
BILE reserved for three in corner of
the room. which was presided over by
a slick looking muIatto waiter whose
father had belonged to Msller's family.
'I've been Up an hour" he said to
her. Il took stroll down the street
to see what damage the gang did last
night. Every sign is down or hung
where it doesn't belong. TO tease the
owner. an old negro drayman. whom
everybody jokes with. they took Ills
wagon to pieces and put it together
8gain on the roof of Harmons drug
store. How they got it there is pug
gle that will go down in local history
like the building of the pyramids"
whisky did it" laughed Adele.
That will be the final explanation
; Il think you are right" agreed MI
ser.
Alan bolted his food in grum silence,
unnoticed by. die others, Adele's very