Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19

crosby; but felt that her reputation must be
cleared, for her sake and mine; and persuaded
her to go TO law-with what success, you know.
Then became desperate / knew those
papers were our only hope. and there seemed
no way to get them except to take them-steal
them, suppose should say. set out to go
to the house myself, but my courage failed. /
was afraid they would never let lone woman
Then saw YOU. knew that man could do
it, if he would-it could be accomplished by
what Westerners call bluff; so | sent you
into the lions den for me-.
And went. and stole the bone and came
back unscathed," finished Granger. smiling.
" hated to do il" there was a world of
pleading in the bright eyes; but there seemed
no other way, and was ready to take any
desperate chance. .
Then you knew all the time that was not
She dropped her eyes and blushed vividly.
and her fingers began to play nervously with
her napkin. Yes, of course. I'm dreadfully
ashamed of myself; but what else could dor"
She gave him a a1ee sia glimpse Of two tear
that you were Tom Holland, and that gave me
the idea It seemed the simplest way to ac-
count for my speaking to you. And you did
your part so well that almost thought had
been right Why did you do It /"
!" Curiosity" he answered smiling; then a
sporting desire to see the end of the matter.
and later, hope, an honest desire to help you.
And now"
We are not talking about now. she inter
rupted quickly.
Z / am, he continued calmly aAnd now
have an equally honest and a most ardent de-
sire to know You as YOU are-not as Mrs. Viii
ton or Miss Franklin, but as your true self"
She began to toy with her napkin again.
and would not look at him. 81 should think
you knew me well enough to despise me. she
said little bitterly.
Il doubt if any amount of knowledge would
make me do that.
have given you every reason to do so,
she pursued with relentless self condemnation.
81 have accosted you in the public street, lied
to you, and done my best to deceive you, and
then used you deliberately to commit crime.
What a damning catalogue Of sinsf" teased
the man, with tender tone In his voice. " You
simply forestalled me by speaking first. and
your fibs were so transparent that the record
ing angel would scorn to enter them. As for
the crime" he laughed mockingly- well.
they do say that lawyers are the worst law
breakers in the world.
"I'n afraid YOU would never make good
judge" she said, smiling little: you are
too lenient with criminals. But the worst of
all is that have come here with you tonight,
unchaperoned, not even knowing your name
Granger dropped all levity from voice and
manner and bent toward her. He took one
nervous hand in his own. in spite of her word
less protest, and spoke as seriously and as
kindly as he knew how. My dear Miss James.
do YOU think that is quite fair to yourself, or
to mel Granted that you did not know my
name. you did know, ! hope, that ! was a
gentleman, and that YOU could trust yourself
in my company. Our acquaintance has been
most unconventional; but ! will permit no
one not even you, to call it improper" The
little hand slipped out of his, undetained. Per
haps should not have asked you to dine with
me tonight; but was afraid that you might
go out Of my life as mysteriously as you had
come into it, and wanted to talk with you.
"And wanted to come-and I've enjoyed
it so much-and l can't feel that I've done
anything so very awful" The eyes that she
lifted to his held an odd mingling of pleading
and defiance.
Don't you think. then" smiled Granger.
"since Our consciences are so easy, that we
had better forgive one another and ourselves
for being SO informalf"
at does seem the most sensible way" She
flashed him a merry glance. Will you in
troduce yourself, pleased
Granger's face went grave, though a twinkle
lurked IN the depths Of his eyes: and he re-
garded her intently as he spoke. My name
IS Granger-Willis Granger"
The girl started and shrank from him in
alright She turned pale, then red again, and
her eyes began to snap angrily. Its MOTT
can't be--and think the joke is IN very bad
taste"
The man smiled slightly. and answered. as
If he had anticipated her words, " It is no joke.
assure you. l am Willis Granger as truly
as you are Miss James"
"You may think that let's you out" she