Barton County democrat., 1907-04-05

situation did not please me; had not
travelled so far and ba7s.af.oasly en-
tered Doctor Arrs,ronrs house in
quest Of a girl With blae eyos merely
to stand by while she talked with an
other man.
| drew nearer. imratie1tly: and was
conscious that four other Young men
in white waistcoats and gloves quite
as irreproachable as my own stool
ready to clam her the ins;aa; Se was
free. did not propose to be tr ssr,ed
by the beaux of Cincinnati aad / ad.
dressed my host boldly.
Il beg your pardon. Doctor" I
said with an assurance for wAch |
blush to this hour
"All right. my boy; |. too. t1-e been
in Arcady!" he exclaimed IN cheerful
apology, and she pdt her had q my
arm and led her away.
He called me my boy So | must be
passing muster" | remarked. not dar-
Ing to look az her.
Hes afraid not to recognize you.
His Inability to remember faces is a
town Joke"
We reached a quiet corner OF the
great hall and found a S n for her.
You don't seem surprised to SEE
me,-you knew | would ocme. should
have come across the world for this,
for just this"
Her eyes were grave at once.
why did you come? did not think
you ere so foolish. This is all-so
wretched. You didn't know that Mr..
Pickering-Mr. Pickering"
She was greatly distressed and this
name came from her chclincly.
YES; what Of him." laughed. He
is well on the way to California, a,-and
without you!"
"No-you don't know-you don't un-
derstard-he's here! He abandoned
his California trip at Chicago: he tele-
graphed me to expect him-here-to-
night! You must go at once-at
oncel"
"Ah, but you can't frighten me-"
said, trying 10 realize Just what meet
ing with Pickering in that house might
mean.
"No."-she looked anxiously about,
they were to arrive late. he and the
Taylors; they know the ArmS.ror gs
quite we'll. They may come at any
moment now. Please gol"
But | have only few minutes my.
self,-you wouldn't have me sit them
out In the station down town? There
are some things | have como to say,
and Arthur Pickering and | are not
afraid Of each other!"
But you must not meet him here.
Think what that would mean to me!
You are very foolhardy, Mr.. Glenarm.
/ had no idea you would come"
But you wished to try me,-you
challenged me-"
THAT wasn't me,-it was Olivia"
she laughed, more at ease, 'T
thought"
yes, what did you think-that +
was tied hand and foot by a dead
mans money"
mo. 1t wasn't that wretched for
tune; but | enjoyed playing the child
before you-I really love Olivia-and
II seemed that the fairies we're protect
Ing me and that | could play being a
child to the very end Of the chapter
without any real mischief coming of II.
| wish | we're 0llna!" she declared,
her eyes away from me.
That's rather idle. I'm net really
sure yet what your name is. and
don't care. Let's imagine that we
haven't any names,-I'm sure my name
isn't Of any use. and I'll be glad to go
nameless all my days II only"
IF only" she repeated idly, open.
ing and closing her fan. It was q frail
blue trihe, painted In golden butter.
flies.
There are so many II onlies' that I
hesitate to choose; but | will venture
one. If only you will come back to st.
Agatha's! Not tomorrow. or the next
day, but, say. with the first bluebirds.
! believe they are the harbingers I'D
there"
Her very ease was a balm to my
spirits; she was now veritable daugh.
ter OF repose. One arm In its long,
white sheath lay quiet in her lap: her
right band held the golden butterflies
against the soft curve Of her cheek. A
collar Of pearls clasped her throat and
accented the clear girlish outlines Of
her profile. | felt the appeal of her
youth and purity. II was like a CRY in
my heart, and the dreary house BY the
lake, and Pickering and the weeks
within the stone walls Of my prison
were as though they had never been.
"The friends who know me best
never expect me to promise to be any.
where at a given time. can't tell.
perhaps shall follow the blueblrds to
Indiana; but why should |, when n
can't play being Olivia any morer
why not? You have seen how dull
I am; and that note Of apology you
wrote from the school really fooled
me. But | have seen the real Olivia
now. don't want you to go too far
not where I can't follow-and this
flight | shall hardly dare repeat"
Her lips closed-like rose that had