The Delta independent., 1907-05-17
THE HOUSE OF
A THOUSAND
CANDLES
By MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Author Of THE MAIN CHANCE" ZELDA
DAMER0N." Etc.
Copyright 1906 by Boobs-Merrill Co.
CHAPTER VI.-Continued.


turned to stand face to face with
the girl in the red tam-o -shanter.
81 beg your pardon" | said, stepping
away from the canoe.
She did not wear the covert coat OF
the morning. but red knit jacket, but
toned tight about her. She was young
with every emphasis of youth. A pair
of dark blue eyes examined me with
good -humored curiosity. She was on
good terms with the sum rejoiced in
the brown of her cheeks, SO eloquent
of companionship with the outdoor
world-a certificate indeed of the ia
vor of Heaven. Show me. in October
a girl with a face of tan, whose hands
have piled a paddle or driven golf
ball or cast a fly beneath the blue
arches of summer, and | will suffer
her scorn in joy. She may vote me
dull and refute my wisest word with
laughter, for hers are the privileges of
the sisterhood of Diana; and that soft
bronze, those daring fugitive freckles
beneath her eyes. link her to times
when Pan whistled upon his reed and
all the days were long.
Her rubber-soled outing shoes had
made possible her silent approach, and
she enjoyed, ! was sure. my discom-
future at being taken unawares.
had snatched off my cap and stood
waiting beside the canoe. feeling, |
must admit. trihe guilty at being
caught in the unwarrantable inspection
OF another persons property-particu
larly person so wholly pleasing to
the eye.
Il believe-I believe that is my pad
die" she said. little timidly thought.
and yet with definiteness.
looked down and found to my an
hand,-was in fact leaning upon it
with cool AIR of proprietorship.
Again, / beg your pardon | said.
81 hadn't expected"
She eyed me calmly. with the stare
of the child that arrives at n drawing
room door by mistake and scrutinizes
the guests without awe. didn't know
what had expected or had not expect
ed, and she manifested no intention of
helping me to explain. Her short skirt
suggested 10 or 16-not more-and
son why should not be master of the
situation. AS ! fumbled my pipe the
hot Goals of tobacco burned my hand
and cast the thing from me.
She laughed a little, then caught
herself and gravely watched the pipe
bound from the dock into the water.
TOO bad" she said, her eyes upon
it; but if you hurry you may get it
before it floats away"
Thank you for the suggestion" I
said But | did not relish the idea of
kneeling on the dock to fish for a pipe
before a strange school girl who was,
! felt sure. anxious to laugh at me.
She took step toward the line by
which her boat was fastened
Allow me-
If you think you can,-safely." she
said; and the laughter that lurkcd in
her eyes annoyed me.
THE feminine knot Is designed for
the confusion of man." | observed
twitching vainly at the rope. which
was tied securely in unfamiliar loops
She was singularly unresponsive.
The thought that she was probably
laughing at my clumsiness did not
make my fingers more nimble.
THE nautical instructor at St
Agathas is undoubtedly woman
This knot must come in the post-grad
uate course. But my gallantry is
equal, trust. to your patience"
The maid in the red tam-o shanter
continued silent. The wet rope was
obdurate, the knot more and more
hopeless. and my efforts to make light
of the situation awakened no response
in the girl. / tugged away at the rope
attacking its tangle on various the.
ories.
"A case for surgery. I'm afraid. A
truly gordian knot, but | haven't my
knife"
"Oh, but you wouldn't" she ex.
claimed. II think ] can manage"
She bent down. was aware that
the sleeve of her jacket brushed my
shoulder-seiZed an end that had
ignored, gave 1t a sharp tug with a
slim, brown hand and pulled the knot
free.
"There!" she exclaimed with a little
laugh; 81 might have saved you all
the bother"
How dull of me- But didn't have
the combination" said, steadying the
canoe carefully to mitigate the ignOm-
my of my failure.
She scorned the hand | extended,
but embarked with light, confident
step and took the paddle. 1t was grow
ing late. The shadows IN the wood
were deepening; chill crept over the
water, and, beyond the tower of the
chapel. the sky was bright with the
glory of sunset.
With few skillful strokes she
brought her little craft beside my
pipe, which she deftly caught on the
paddle blade and tossed to the wharf