The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-02-17
ADAM
BIZ KEITH GORDON
~
Copyright. 1904. by Frances Wilson.

The girl i'll the hammock laid her
book face downward beside her. Il
faint, skeptical smile visible about her
mouth.
How do you go about it:" was the
question that her eyes asked of the IA
Iliant landscape. ITS all very we'll to
say that Il woman. if she have not
hump upon her back, may marry whom
she will, but how would she go about
it,"
The scratching of Il match broke the
summer Stiffness, and her meditationS
We're suddenly pTecipitated from the
general to the concrete. She glanced
where i mans form Eulked i'll one of
tie hinge wicker chairs. With his hand
forming 4 screen he was lighting Il
fresh cigar, seemingly oblivious to ey-
C:ythinG in life except that and the
Engineering Journal, which lay in his
lap.
He was her brothers best friend,
and she had known him for years, not
with much satisfaction, it must be con-
fcsscd, since he was VIGOROUSLY IL
mans man." living in mans world
and regarding the rustic of feminine
skirts with something of the same feel
ing that lie did the humming of mos
quito.
But he was good to look upOn-So
good that a sudden, quick resentment
shot through her heart at his indiffer-
cnce. 1t assumed the likeness of a per-
S1nal affront, a sort of insult to her
sex. 1t would serve him right if some
giri would Just make UP her mind to
marry him and do it, too, before he
knew what lie was about.
Meanwhile he had tossed away the
match ard picked up the Journal again
as impcrtu>bably as it he We're alone,
pair CT half indignant eyes watching
him with 4. combination of pique and
amusement
1t certainly would serve him right.
Ecr tAcrghts ran on. if some lady
would just wind him round and round
her finger, make him fetch and carry
at her beck and call. reduce him to a
perfect muSh of sentiment Something
in her stcad:- gaze caused him to move
ureasily, then lock up.
Did you speak,
lie had the Derfunctory manner of
person who knows he must keep guard
over himself or he will be guilty of
some remissness. \ heroic resolution
10 do his duty was visible in his face.
NO" she drawled. Il didn't speak.
But if you don't mind very much |
think l will. Id like 10 ask you, for
instance. if you have ever had Ia
dies day."
~ ladies' day" he repeated help
lessly, shaking off his eyeglasses with
Characteristic movement, while his
tormentor watched him as if he had
been some sort of Il specimen that she
lad impaled upon pin. Then light
daNned upon him.
You mean such as they have at the
cluhs-a day when the place is given
up to Your sex and other matters go
10 the wall: Well, no. | don't know
that ever have had"
Don't you think it is timc:" she
vcntured
Possibly" he admitted, but lie still
held the Journal in way that sug-
Gested a well nigh unconquerable de-
sire to return to it. She stretched out
lcr hand. Reluctantly he handed it
over.
Did it ever occur to YOU" she asked
hlandly, that the creature who tempt
Cd Adam SO successfully, who is ut
the bottom of everything, as it, We're,
must be as-as intricate as your old
engineering problems?'
Il have always considered Adam
weak-very weak" was his evasive an
swer Men aren't like that nova
days"
Vt these baastful words a resolution
that had been taking form in her mind
became fun hodged. She was inspired
with Tie sense of a mission. Her
reelected rey should find an avengcr
in her.
You think you wouldn't have eaten
of the apple, thcn:"
Thee was Il EeW note in her voice.
it was TT the same time challenge
and an appeal.
As if it Were something absolutely
new it came to his mind that girls were
delicate, helpless creatures. and wave