Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-16

OF lrue, his meetings with Laetitia had so fa
been distinctly unsatisfactory. Wherefore-'De
lghtedl' he said, with alacrity
Fact is" pursued the Professor with would
be nonchalance that instantly reused the suspi
cious of his keen sighted nephew "fact is. there,
a former student of mine here, Miss Carstair.
l m expecting to meet her tomorrow. We pro
pose to explore the Guilot Caves for Actinia."
Forsyth surveyed the Professor from under
his lids with sudden, new interest. 1t was
true that he was forty-fve, and she was proba.
bly, two or threeand- twenty, but
81 don't think ] can come tomorrow" was all
he said, and he strolled out into the garden of
| the little hotel and had very bad, and rath.
er long, quarterofanhour.
But the morning sunlight brought ray OF
hope 1t might be all mistake on his part, and
any way there was nothing to prevent his search
ing for-Actinia.
On rounding corner in the semi-darkness of
the Guilot Caves he ran into Miss Laetitia Cars
tairs-and alone, fact he found peculiarly COM
forting
81 beg your pardon" said both simultaneously,
and presently she added with frank unconven-
tionality, he fingered near
II suppose you're Actinia-hunting, too? There
are some awfully rare ones here"
II should be delighted if ! might help your
She turned swiftly at the sound of his voice.
oh" she said Jelly cts YOU
''Mayn't l help you?" he asked eagerly
10 lose UneH! Sne suggested cruelty. NO,
thank you ] wouldn't think of troubling you"
and with her small head very erect she marched
on.
She quite aware that he was standing
watching her, and fired with the determination
to make dignifed retreat, she forgot that in
the Guilot Caves it behooves one to follow the
advice of the Apostle, and walk circumspecty
A moment later there was plunge. little hiss
as her candle spluttered out in the water, a
smothered, inarticulate cry, and then CHEEKY
"I'm comng!"
That's twice" she said Grossly, when at
fength he had succeeded in dragging her out of
the pool, whose smooth, slippery sides would,
she knew, have defied her unaided efforts
81 apologize he replied gravely. as he wrung
some OF the water out of her dripping garments.
Don't be absurd" she snapped Then, after
pause, 'Of course, ] ought to thank YOU
Not at all he said imperturbably, and, tax
ing leaf out of her book, remained serenely
silent, well aware that she could not descend
from her perch without his aid and determined
net to proffer it,
"Well-shank YOU" she said at last almost
meeky; then flashed out illogcally, Though it
was all your fault. And would you mind
helping me DOWN."
"On one condition." he laughed: Chat YOU
let me follow you round and see that you don't
make any further attempts your life" And
she had no choice but to assent.
Half-an-hour later he was wondering. as he
obedently held the candle and watched the deft,
skillful, movements of her white fingers. what
his next step should be in the thawing of this
scientific icicle. when Fate kindly interviewed
and took the step for him.
where's the Professor" he asked (Ee had
already explained the relationship between
them)
ooh, somewhere about" she answered vague
ly. Hes ON the lookout for "a
"Spare me, please" he laughed.
And at that very moment, as they turned an
other corner in the intrcacies Of the wonderful
caves, the Professors voice came echong back
to them: Dearest Prue, you must know I love
you"
ut seems" said Lefty roguishly, and the dim
Piles came back into her face as by magic. ct
seems he was on the lookout fora wife, y
Then she doubled back into the cave they had
just quilted, and, sitting down on a rock
laughed immoderately, Godfrey Forsyth with
sigh of intense relief. sat down beside her. But