The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-03-07

proach upon that side and hold speech
with her.
The conversation of the gallants con-
sisted for the greater part OF With
cisms at one another's expense, which,
though evoked for Ariers benefit (all
eyes furtively reverting to her as each
shaft was loosed), she found more or
less enigmatical. The young men, how
ever, laughed at each other loudly and
seemed content il now and then she
smiled. You must be frightfully en-
nuied with all this" Eugene said to
her. you see how provincial we still
are"
She did not answer. She had not
heard him. The shadows were stretch
ing themselves over the grass long and
attenuated. The sunlight upon the trees
and houses was like a thin, rosy pig
ment, blackbirds were calling each 9th
er home to beech and elm, and AriePs
eyes were fixed upon the western dis
lance of the street where gold dust was
beginning to culver in the air. She did
not hear Eugene, but she started
moment later when the name Joe Lou
den was pronounced by young man,
the poetic Bradbury, on the step below
Eugene. Some one Immediately said,
''Shp' But she leaned over and adj
dressed Mr. Bradbury, who, shut out,
not only from the group about her, but
from the other centering upon Miss
Pike as well. was holding private
conversation with q friend in like mis-
fortune.
What were you saying of Mr.. Lou
den2" she asked, smiling down upon
the young man. ct was this smile
which inspired his description Of her
as "a revelation and a dreamy
"Oh, nothing particular" was his en-
barrassed reply. 81 only mentioned I'd
heard there was some talk among
tho He paused awkwardly, remem-
bering that Ariel had walked with
Joseph Louden in the face of Canaan
that very day. "That is, / mean to say,
there's some talk Of his running for
mayor"
'What?
There was a general exclamation,
followed by an uncomfortable moment
or two Of silence. No one present was
there was prevalent a pleasing notion
that it would not happen again, found
ed on the idea that Ariel, having only
arrived the previous evening, had prob
ably met Joe on the street by accident
and, remembering him as a playmate
Of her childhood and uniformed as to
his reputation, had, naturally enough,
! permitted him to walk home with her
Mr.. Flitcroft broke the silence, rush
| ing into words with a derisive laugh:
Yes, he's talked of for mayor-by
the saloon people and the niggers! 1
expect the Beaver Beach crowd would
be for him, and If tramps could vote
he might
What is Beaver Beach 2" asked Ariel,
not turning.
"What is Beaver Beach?" he repeat.
ed and cast his eyes to the sky, shak.
ing his head awesomely Its a place.
he said, with abysmal solemnity-"a
place l shouldn't have mentioned in
your presence, Miss Tabor"
what has it to do with Mr.. Lou
den?"
The predestined Norbert conceived
the present to be heaven sent oppor
tunity to enlighten her concerning Joe'i
character since the Pixies appeared tt
have been derelict in the performance
Of this kindness.
HE goes therep' he proceeded heav
lily. "He lived there for awhile wher
he first came back from running away
and he's a friend of Mike Sheehan'i
that runs It. He's a friend OF all the
rinraH that hang around there"
Glow do you know he goes thereY
''Why, 1t was in the paper the day
after he came back" He appealed 70
corroboration. Wasn't it, EugeneT"
mo, mol" she persisted. "Newspa
pers are sometimes mistaken, aren'
fheyf Have you ever met any on
who has seen him there?"
1--WE seen him there myself! TIL
words skipped out Of Norbert's moutl
like 20 many little devils the instan
he opened it. She had spoken SO quick
~ anu WlI1 SUCH VeuEmSuSSp 4OOhAA
him full in the eye, that he had fol
gotten everything in the world excep
making the point to which her insist
ence had led him.
Mamie looked Mortified. There was
sound of smothered laughter. and Nol
bert. overwhelmed by the treachery G
his own mouth. sat gasping.
1T can't be such a terrific place. tnel
after ALL" said Ariel gently, and. turn
Ing to Eugene, "Have you ever bee
there, Mr.. Bantry?' she asked.
He changed color, but answered wit
enough glibness. NO"
Several of the young men rose. tt
wretched Flitcroft, however, evadiI
s Mamie's eye. IN which there was di
n tinct hint, sat where he was until
a Of them, except Eugene. had taken
q reluctant departure, on4 group aft
II another, leaving in the or Of the
arrival