La Junta tribune., 1907-02-02

ne TO recognize you so promptly. 10
has been ten years since I saw you.
and time makes great changes. doesn't
M"
Yes" assented aud looked at her
With wondering eyes. A problem. deep
and lnexplicable. forced itself upon
me- How about recognition on my
part
There was prompt relief. however.
''Of course you,' she continued. with
all those photographs Tom has
why, | would have known you any
where interrupted boldly.
There was nothing entangiins in the
conversation thus far. and l am sure
there was nothing in il to my credit
in the role of the visiting young gen
tleman. She was waiting for me to
join her in the trap. but was too OBJ
tuse TO see II. aud verbal invitation
was necessary.
When the die was cast and. trapped.
l sat down by her side it was with u
peckless. intoxicating feeling. There
was the delicious consciousness OF sit
ting by beautiful eirl-a stranger
who, by her manner. opened to me. as
to an Intimate friend. an innocent.
wins0me nature. l cared not how the
affair might end. only that ! might ell
JOY II 10 the full for a brief length OF
time. We drove through the main
streets of the town; our destination
was evidently suburban home. II
was not long before l learned that /
was playing the part OF young Mr..
Gibson, who had been college mate
VI her brother. As 10 his present oc-
cnpation WAS rather hazy.
isle pointed out all the recent i'm
proyements OF Etheiburg and direct
cd my attention to number of her
friends whom we passed. During a
period OF ten years II is quite natural
for one TO forget a great deal. SO that
my ignorance and lapse OF memory
Were not startling II amused her and
made her more charming through her
feeling OF superiority In that particu-
lar.
As We approached the outskirts Of
town l was suddenly seized with n
sense Of my perilous situation A cool
wave sufYused me. I could not dare to
appear at her home. I felt an impulse
to jump and run. which of itself I'm.
ueryed me. I WAS desperate. and the
girl was talking volubiy OF her friends.
her home and herself.
My hand wandered to my po"ket In
search Of handkerchief. and IL was
that small act that saved me. There
I
esi mailing AT once upon my arrival at
Ethclburg.
81 beg pardon" I said. with n show
Ut great surprise. but shall have to
return 10 the -postotfice." I giowed
with Inward triumph.
'lndeed'' she answered. And. do
you know. | have been thinking for
some time that I neglected To go by
my dressmaker's. So well return and
perform our missions and then come
back. The weather is pleasant for
agreeably. don't you think"
Tie observation Was one In which
hSHrtiiy acqaiescsd. for II was u rich
balmy spring day and formed quite u
contrast to the cool days from which
] had just come. At the moment there
was nm additional inspiration In our
turning toward town. for in IL lay the
hope of escape.
We made an agreement To me1t at
the Isostofiice within fifteen minutes,
and I sprang lightly from the trap.
travelling bag in hand. ! recall vivid
" the conflict Of emotions that welIe,I
within me. They were deep and ear
nesf and now seem all the more anus
ing because OF their geuuincness.
vas dizzy with delight to Ice free
. gain. aud al the same time | was
ntsseSsn,l with a mem. slsnlkl inc sens.