The Red Cloud chief., 1907-01-11

l'llll. 'bltlh lillllh VI hpiAllilt- WV
that would he wide ana not ostenta
tious. You know how | detest dis
play"
Loder touched the rings. You have
good taste" he said. Lets see If
they serve their purpose" He picked
them up and carried them to the lamp.
Chilcote followed him. THAT vas
an ugly wound" he said. his curiosity
r~eawakening as Loder extended his
finger. Glow did you come by IT."
The other smiled. ITS Il ~memento,"
he said.
"Of bravery?"
"No; quite the reverse" lie looked
again at his hand, then glanced back
at Chilcote. NO." he repeated, with
an unusual impulse of confidence. 1T
serves TO remind me that | am not ex-
empt-that | have been fooled like
other men"
THAT implies II womanT'
Eyes" Again Loder looked at the
scar on his finger. II seldom recall the
thing, it's SO absolutely past. But l
rather like to remember 1t tonight. |
rather want you to know that I've been
through the fire. It's Il sort of guaran-
tee"
Chilcotc made Il hasty gesture, but
the other interrupted it.
ooh. | know you trust me. But you're
giving me Il risky post. want you to
see that women are mi of my line
quite out of IT,"
but, my dear chap
Loder went on without needing.
This thing happened eight years ago
mt Santasalare." he said, IA little place
between Luna and PiStorla-a mere
handful Of houses wcdged between two
hills; II regular relic of old Italy crum-
bling away under flowers and sunshine.
with nothing to suggest the present
century except the occasional passing
of Il train round the base of one of the
hills. | had literally stumbled upon the
place on Il long tramp south from
Switzerland ana had been tempted into
n stay Mt the little inn. The night after
my arrival something unusual occur
red. There was an accident to the
train mt the point where it skirted the
village.
. There was n small excitement. All
; the inhabitants were anxious TO help,
, and | took my share. As Il matter OF
, fact, the smash was not disastrous
, the passengers were hurt and fright
, cnpd, but nobody was killed
He paused and looked ut his cOmpan'
ion: but, seeing him interested, went
I, on.
| among these passengers was an
English lady. OF all concerned in the
:, business, she was the least upset. When
I came upon her she was sitting on tho
= shattered door Of one Of the carriages
calmly arranging her hat. ON seeing
me she looked up with the most charm
=, ing smile imaginable.
:. 81 have just been waiting for some
. body like YOU she said. My stupid
, maid has got herself smashed up some
=, where i'm the second class carriages
;, and | have nobody to help me find my
: dog
"Of course, that first speech ought T.
;. have enlightened me, but ii didn't.
:, only saw tie smile and heard the voice
= ! knew nothing of whether they were
;. deep or shallow. So | found the mait
= and found the dog. The first expressed
gratitude, the other didn't. / eXtricat
- ed him with enormous difficulty from
the wreck Of the luggage van, and thi
r Va how he marked his appreciation.
He neld ont his hand and nodded to
ward the sea-.
n Chllcote glanced up. 80 that's TIT
e~Xplanationf'
~ Eyes. | tried to conceal the thinI
- when | restored the dog, but ! wa
a bleeding abominably and l failed
n. Then the whole business was changed
t. 1t was | who needed seeing to, my ney
Ia. friend insisted; l who should be locke
It. after and not she. She forgot the do
In the newer interest of my wounde
Id finger. The maid, who was PRACTICAL
lg unhurt. was sent on to engage rooms Il
at the little inn, and she and | followe
So slowly.
a. "That walk impressed me-. There wa
an attractive mistlness of atmospher
r. in the warm night, a sensation NOR
than attractive in being made much
by n woman of ones own class an
at country after five years wandering"
It. He laughed with Il touch of irony.
r. But won't take up your time wit
Ike details. You know the progress of Il
&C. ordinary love affair. Throw in a fe'
more flowers and n little more sunshir
as than is usual, a man who is practical
ed a hermit and a woman who knows IL
world by heart and you have the who
an thing.
nd "She insisted on staying In Santas
ng lare for three days In orler to keep II