The San Francisco call., 1907-03-10
"Ma. DUcAINE. SHE SAID MUST EXPLAIN YouRsElF.

explain yourself
I saw no reason why I should not
do so. / told her the story of my
early morning adventure. She listened
with quivering lips.
You were not hurt. then?" she asked
eagerly.
& Il was not hurt" 1 assured her. Il
Tell me what measures you are TAX
ing she begged.
what can I do?p I asked. 1T was
pitch dark. and ] could identify no one.
] am writing to Colonel Ray. that is
ALL"
''That hateful woman" she mur-
INJURED. "AIr. Ducaire. 1 believe that if
Blenavon is really concerned in this, it
is entirely through her influence.
Very likely" / answered. II have
heard strange stories about her. She
is a dangerous woman
We were both silent for moment.
Then Lady Angela. whose eyes We're
fixed seaward. suddenly turned 20 ne.
oh" she cried, II am weary Of all
these botllers and problems and ankle
ties. Lst us put them away for one
hour of this glorious morning. Dare
YOU play truant for little while and
walk on tho sands?'
II think so. I answered readily. "if
YOU viii wait while ! so and put Groo-
ton in charge"
u will be scrambling down." she de-
clared- 1T is not 3 difficuit operation"
| joined her a few minutes later, and
we set our faces toward the point OF
the. bay. over orr heads the seagulls
were lazily drifting and wheeling, the
quiet sea stole almost noselcssly up
the firm yellow sands. Farther bver
the marshes the larks were singing.
Inland, men like tiny specks In the dis
tance were working upon their farms.
We walked for a while In silence. and
| found myself watching my compan-
ion. Her head was thrown slightly back
she walked with all the delightful
grace of youth and strength, yet there
was a cloud which still fingered upon
her face.
These" I said abruptly. should be
the happiest days of your life. Lady
Angela After all, is 1t worth while to
spoil them by worrying about other
peoples doings?"
other peoples doings?" she mur-
INJURED.
1 shrugged my shoulders.
"Selfsbness, you know. Is the per-
mitted vice of the young-and of low
ers."
"Blenavon can scarcely rank among
the other people with me- she said
He is my only brother"
Colonel Ray Is to be your husband"
reminded her, which is far more i'm
portant"
She turned upon me with Naming
cheeks.
you do not understand what you
are talking about, Mr.. Ducaine," she
said. stiffiy. Colonel Ray and are
not lovers. You have no right to as
sumo anything OF the sort"
IF you are not lovers" I said.
what right have you to marry?"
She seemed little staggered, as In
deed she might be, by my boldness.
You are very medieval she re-
marked.
THE medieval sometimes survives.
1t is as true now as then that loveless
answered. ut is the one thing which
remains now as it was in the begin
ming"
she looked at me furtively. almost
timidly.
Il should like to know why you are
speaking to mo like this" she said. II
do not want TO seem unkind, but do
you think that the length of our ac-
quaintance warrants ftp
Il do not know how long have
known YOU" I answered. II do not re-
member the time when I did not know
you. You are one of those people to
whom must say the things which
come into my mind. / think that IL Sol
do not love Colonel Ray you have no
right to marry him.
She looked me in the face. Her
cheeks were flushed with walking, and
the wind had blown her hair Into be-
coming confusion.
Mr.. Ducaine." she said, do you con-
slider that Colonel Ray is your friend %
He has been very good to me- 1 an
swered.
There is something between you two.
What is it?''
1T Is not my secret ] told her.
There is secret. them" she mur-
INJURED. II knew 1t. Is this why you do
not wish me to marry him.
Il have not said that / 90 not wish
you to marry him." reminded her.
Not in words. You had no need to
put 1t into words.
You are very young" I said ITO
marry any one for any other reason
save the only true one. Some day there
might be some ono else
She watched the flight Of seagull