The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-11-16
It'll MAKE IT FIVE" HE OFFERED.

groom go along. CaStron noticed the
smile and guessed her thoughts. When
the cart was brought around the back
seat was moccupied.
James said he had to send the boy
to town." was the explanation. 'IIe
will be waiting for you at the station"
Ethel frOwned and turned and walk
cd to where her small brother was try.
ing to coax the goldfish from the foun
tain basin with Il bent pin and bit of
bread. He looked up guiltily at her APP
proach but was yisibly relieved when
he saw who it was.
Don't you want to ride into town
with Mr.. Castron and me?" she said.
"Nope," he said decidedly.
I'll give you that air gun if you
WILL" she bribed
1T costs So" he warned
Il know" she agreed. Hurry, or
Mr. Castron will miss his train"
Georgia raced across the lawn and
climbed into the back seat. I'm 60
ing, too" he announced gleefully.
Frank Castron said something beneath
the cover Of his mustache and scowled
rs he helped Ethel into her seat on the
box.
1t was apparent that Ethel was de-
termined not to afford him any oppor-
tunity for Il tete-a-tete He thought
that he had frustrated her design when
he had bribed the head coachman to
send the tiger to town, but he had not
counted on George. He settled him
self in his seat, and Ethel took up the
lines.
They covered the first half mile in
silence. Then he broke the quiet. Il
want to tell YOU" he began, that that
locket was"-
George will hear" she whispered
"PleGSe spare me the annoyance of
having the wretched story spread all
over the house"
"But if only you would listen for a
moment" he pleaded LET George
drop off and walk back He won't
mind"
Il do" she said severely. do not
make me think any worse of you than
| do already"
but it is all such a miserable mis-
take" lie pleaded land you have not
| given me chance for single word
| since it happened"
For answer Ethel turned to speak to
the boy. and Castron gritted his teeth.
! Just five minutes and the whole mis-.
cradle mistake would be explained. II
he could not get this chance, there was
no hope She would return his letters
unread, just as she had sent back the
note he had written last night. A bit
/ of paper blowing across the road fright
ened the horses and demanded her at
tention. Castron leaned over the bach
of the seat
"Tll give you dollar to fall off an(
80 back to the house." he offered.
isis is going to give me two" he ex
planned
"Tll make it five" he offered.
George was resolute. 81 made bar
gain" he declared. "'Twouldn't b.
fair"
Castron faced tho front again. Ev
erything seemed to he against him.
81 congratulate you upon your fore
thought in bribing Georgia" he sal
bitterly you seem determined to a,
low me no opportunity to explain"
"There is no possible explanation,
she said decidedly. "The least yo
can do is to keep silent for the fey
minutes longer that you are to be bul
dened with my company"
Every WELL" he said shortly. "If yo
= are determined. | suppose there is n
use in trying TO prove you wrong"
She averted her head, and as the
, BOWED along through the leafy avenu
Castron, all unconscious of the tumul
in her mind, wherein pride and affet
ton waged war, sat In silent anger r.
viewing the events of the past twenty
four hours.
At Christmas Edith had given him
locket inclosing her picture. Yestel
day she had opened the case and ha
found therein another picture and
lock of hair that in no way suggeste
her own chestnut curs.
Before he could explain she had ru
into the house, and no amount of Ell
treaty could induce her to listen to hi
J explanation.