, 1906-03-21

thusiastic liking to Rob. While his
men are absent Raymond is shot. He
is attended by Ann.
CONTINUED
uvuio, who had been sitting III some
wonder, trying to catch the undercur-
rent of this talk, put his hand on Ray
mond's knee and said: "When you go,
I go too. Remember that"
1t was interesting to Jeanette to
observe that evening dress changed
AIMS estimate of Raymond's charac-
ter. The girl had to admit that he
looked surprisingly well as he came
slowly into the library just before the
little Chinese chime sounded for din
ner. Every trace of the cowboy, the
man of sun smit, wind swept plain,
was gone. He was pale, languid, but
self contained and wore his dinner suit
with easy grace.
His manner toward Ann was that of
q polite acquaintance merely, and her
fear of something-she hardly knew
What-instantly vanished. His bearing
during dinner and throughout the even
ing made her forget the kind of person
he had hitherto seemed to her, II she
began to study him in his true charac-
ter. He dropped all his ranch life
phrases and, putting aside his reserve,
talked with entire intellectual freedom,
showing Il knowledge of books and of
communities remarkable in any man.
Once or twice as she encountered his
glance a mysterious movement ran
about her heart and her breath quick
ened.
As they rose from dinner and while
he stood to allow her to pass he said:
'You are very beautiful tonight. Noun
tain air has done wonders for you"
You are very courteous h re-
sponded, and her eyes fell exasperat-
ingly, and she walked away with a
sense of having revealed IA weakness.
He came into the drawing room half
an hour later to say good night to his
hostess, looking very tired and pale,
and when he took AIMS hand his eyes
were burning with deep inner passion.
Good night" he said, and forgive me
for any impertinence." She scarcely
bad time to reply, to ask his meaning,
for Mrs. Barnett ordered him instantly
10 bed.
No voice responded to Louis knock
at Raymond's door next morning, and,
hurrying to Barnett's room, Louis
called ex%citedly, Cousin Don, have you
seen Rob?'
Barnett, splashing in his tub, shout
n1. s1ATn Co,,p+ ,o, G,I Hin, oJ
HE isn't in his ROOM"
Hes gone down to breakfast, then.
Hurry along and keep him company.
Don't let him go out"
Louis rushed into the breakfast room,
but found it empty. The maid said:
Are you looking for Mr.. Raymond?
He came down very early and said he
was going out for a walk"
The boy hurried outdoors, filled with
dismay. "He shouldn't be out alone.
He might get dizzy and fall" He ran
round the block, eagerly seeking Ray
mond, who was nowhere in sight.
When Barnett entered Rob's room he
found two letters lying ON the little
desk. One was addressed to Don and
one to Ann.
Barnett broke the seal and read his
note almost ut a glance:
Dear Barnett-Tm sorry to pull out in
this way. but l am afraid it's my only
way. l have been very uncomfortable be-
cause of my growing indebtedness to you
and Mrs. Barnett, and so l have cut loose.
Please don't think me ungrateful. 1t is
because | feel so deeply your kindness
that l go, Don't look for me. I'm going
to hole up for a few days till 1 get
strong. If you happen to get any clew to
where IVe gone, don't tell the boy. l
ran see that his sister does not approve
of his fondness for me. and she is quite
right. I'm not a proper companion for a
boy of his sort. l inclose a check, which
squares us so far as money can, but your
kindness in other ways, and especially
Mrs. Barnett's care and assistance, L am
in despair of ever paying. l slide out be-
cause it would be difficult and painful to
say goodby, and, besides, l feel that I
must cut loose from the boy.
Raymond's note to Ann was short,