Western Kansas world., 1907-10-12
CHAPTER xxvII.-continued
Copyright 1905 by Bobbs-Merrin Co.

him futl1ely striking a match, when
suddenly the lantern fell, its wires
rafting as it struck the ground, and
the two exclaimed with renewed mer-
riment upon their misfortune.
'If you will allow mel" 1 called out,
fumbling in my pocket for my own
matchbox.
have sometimes thought that
there is really some sort of decent
courtesy to me. An old man caught in
a rough path that was none too good
at besti And a girl, even though my
enemy But these were not, 1 fancy,
the reflections that crossed my mind
at the moment.
"Ah, it's Jack" exclaimed my grand
father Marian was showing me the
the way to the gate and our light went
out"
Miss Devereux' / murmured. I
have, 1 hope, an icy tone for persons
who have incurred my displeasure,
and 1 employed it then and there with,
no doubt, it's fullest value.
She and my grandfather were CROP
ing in the dark for the lost lantern,
and 1, putting out my hand, touched
her ung1oved fingers.
81 beg your pardon" she murmured
frostily.
Then 1 found and grasped the Ian
tern
"One moment" 1 said, "and I'll see
what's the trouble
l thought my grandfather took it,
but the flame of my wax match showed
her fingers clasping the wire frame.
The cloak slipped away, showing her
arms soft curve, the blue and white
of her bodice, the purple blur of vio-
lets; and for second 1 saw her face,
with smile quivering about her lips.
My grandfather was beating the
ground impatiently with his stick, urg-
ing us to leave the lantern and go on.
Let it alone" he said. I'll go
down through the chapel; there's a
lantern in there somewhere"
I'm awfully sorry she said, "but
! recently lost my best 1anterni''
To be sure she had! 1 was angry
that she should so brazenly recall the
night 1 found her looking for Picker
ing's notes in the passage at the Door
of Bewilderment!
She had lifted the lantern now, and
I was striving to touch the wax taper
to the wick, with imminent danger to
my bare fingers.
''They don't really light well when
the oils out" she observed, with an
exasperating air of wisdom.
took 1t from her hand and shook
It close to my ear.
YES; of course, it's empty" 1 NUT
tered disdainfully, and threw it from
me.
"Oh, Mr.. Glenarm," she cried, turn
ing away toward my grandfather
1 heard his stick beating the rough
path several yards away. He was
fastening toward Glenarm House.
81 think Mr.. Glenarm has gone
home"
ooh, that is too bad," she ex-
claimed.
Thank you. He's probably at the
chapel by this time. If you will per-
NIT me-
Not at ALI"
A man in the sixties should not
tax his arteries too severely. 1 was
quite sure that my grandfather ran
up the chapel steps; 1 could hear his
stick beating hurriedly on the stones
'If you wish to go farther''-I be-
gan.
1 was indignant at my grandfather's
conduct; he had deliberately run of,
leaving me alone with young woman
whom I had resolved never to see
again.
Thank you; shall go back now.
was merely walking to the gate with
Mr.. Glenarm. 1t is so fine to have him
back again, so unbelievablei'
1t was just such a polite murmur as
one might employ in speaking to an
old foe at friends table.
She listened a moment for his step;
then, apparently satisfied, turned back
toward st. Agatha's. I followed, un-
certain, hesitating, marking her defin-
ite onward fight. From the folds of
her cloak stole the faint perfume of
violets- The sight of her, the sound
of her voice, combined to create-and
to destroy!-a mood with every step.
l was seeking some colorless thing
to say when she spoke over her shoul-
der:
You are very kind, but I am not
the least afraid, Mr.. Glenarm."
But there is something 1 wish to
say to you, now that we have met 1
should like"
She slackened her step.
Yes
Il am going away"
Yes; of course; you are going
away"
Her tone implied that this was some
thing that had been ordained from the
beginning of time. and did not mat
ter.
'And 1 wish to say a word about
Mr. Pickering added.
She paused and faced me abruptly