, 1906-01-10

But there was something genuine
about tho girls desire for his friend
ship. and he Immediately put from him
the suggestion. BY the time they turned
from the TO d into the drive on their
camp property friendship had been ce-
mented.
With n flourish he pulled rp at the
door, and Mabel came running down
the steps. TIC his surprise neither gave
any evidence of recognition.
Didn't Grace Gomez asked his sis.
ter anXlously.
This is Grace he explained. won
dering uneasily what the matter could
be.
rs this Amy?" asked Grace. looking
uncertainty from brother to sister.
81 am Mabel Atherton"
4 suppose you are visiting here2'
suggested Grace. "Can you ! me
where Amy can beY'
"Do you mean Amy Maynard?' de-
manded Mabel.
'Of course was the surprised n
swer.
Mabel sat down upon the steps, shak-
Ing with laughter. "Artie Atherton."
she cried at last when her laughs ceas-
ed, do you know what you have
done?"
delivered Miss Grace Bedding to
you in accordance with my contract"
he declared, with no ring of conviction
In his voice.
You have abducted Miss Grace May
vor1 that what xrot, houa dana Anu
was telling mt the other day that they
were expecting a cousin to come and
live with them"
"Then this is not Arthur MaynardY"
asked Grace, blushing at the thought
of her display of affection.
"A very penitent Arthur Atherton,"
he admitted. 1T Is all Mabel's fault.
If she had come to the station herself
she could have saved you all this trou-
bic and embarrassment"
IF you had verified your suspicious,
as you should have DONE" defended
Mabel.
That's So" he admitted wondering
ly. Il merely asked her If she was
Grace because she was the only II
who left the train from the parlor
cars"
when you said you were Arthur"
put in Grace, Il, of course, supposed
that it was all right"
I'll drive you back right after sup
per-" he promised.
mo, you won't" declared Mabel de-
cidedly. I'm glad you did bring her
here. The Maynards went over to Spring
lake this morning. They are to be
gone three days. l saw them when
they drove past. They thought their
cousin would not arrive for a week.
Il telegraphed them," explained
Grace.
They are outside of the delivery linn
it, and there are all sorts of delays.
You will stay right here until they
come back" declared Mabel hospita-
bly,, remembering that 1t was the death
of her parents which brought this girl
to the Maynards' protection.
"That's Il good girl" said Atherton
a%pproyingly as he gave his sister a hug.
"I1l go and put up the horses and come
back with the groom to take the trunk
up"
He was glad to escape for a moment
and to accommodate his mind to the
new conditions. That he did SO was
evident that evening as they sat upon
the steps of the cottage enjoying the
moonlight over the placid waters of the
lake.
Remember" he warned as the girl
rose to go in with Grace, you have
promised to be a sister to me-"
"a promise made through error" she
pleaded.
at makes no difference" he insisted.
You have accepted me, and | shall in
slst upon your keeping your pact orr
"What terrible fate befalls me?" she
laughed back.
'Fll tell what happened at the sta
ton" he said impressively.
'If you are going to turn blackmailer
as well as abductor," she smiled, 81 am
afraid | shall have to be obedient."
I'm both, under the circumstances"
he admitted, "only the next time | hope
to make the abduction more perma-
nent."
Even in the moonlight he could see
the red stain her cheeks and brow. but
she smiled back bravely at him. 81
think" she said, that you have done
very nicely for q novice"
But there was that in her tones which
told him more
italian Country Dance.