The Washington herald., 1907-08-04

that the engagement is going on, in an
swer to the slight arching of the delicate
brows. Basil is a nice boy, though he's
changed toe" rehectively Il should not
wonder but what this Will make a man
Of him.
Il don't know what you mean" ex-
claimed Isobel. drawing away her arm so
suddenly that Lady Carruthers rings
clinked together as her hands slipped
down. I've are not engaged"
Dear. dear" said the old Iady, shak-
ing her head. with a smile Il saw il
was a lovers quarrel but I did not think
it was so serious. l would make il up.
though; a broken engagement does girl
no good, and there has been quite talk
enough about you already, my dear. Now,
now. laughing. as a steel-like flash came
from the gray eyes, what's the good OF
being eighty years old and more, II you
can't say what yOu like?
Then YOU will say little more. please,
and explain what you mean"
The old woman looked at the plant
figure. strung tense. and at the high
young head
You'll do. my dear nOdding. appre-
ciatively; you've a fine spirit Of your
own, wherever you've got it, but since I
seem TO have put my foot IN it. ] may as
well make the plunge. / took leave 10
doubt whether you could really have for
gotten everything, but if a girl forgets
that she is engaged. there is no more 10
be said on that score, at least"
Then, l was engaged 10 my Cousin
Basll?' coldly.
Yes Has he not refreshed your mem
Ory yet on that point? l quite supposed
he had"
You have saved him any further trou-
Bile. He should thank you FOR IT, Shall
we go back 10 the house nOw2 You are
tired. perhaps; would you like 10 take ny
arm agaIn?" The brief sentences We're
uttered in the same level. sustained voice.
This was no bruised reed" certainly.
thought Lady Caruthers, as she hooked
her hand again through the extended
arm. She would as soon have expected
the futtering bird to turn upon a watch
ing cat ds little Isobel to show fight IN
this fashion.
Up and down the avenue vehicles of all
sorts were passing. coming around from
the stables or driving away from the
house. With her eyes looking straight
and fixed before her, Isobel paid little
heed 70 this hustle Of departure as she
crossed the drive.
Suddenly there was a rush. a frantic
toOt from a horn, a cry Of fright or
warning, which seemed 10 break out all
around her Wrenched sharply away from
one all-absorbing thought, she hesitated.
beWildered. Before she could realize that
panic cry was directed at herself. she
was seized in strong grasp and snatch
ed aside, while something huge and dark
whizzed by so near that the watt of its
motion stirred her hair and futtered her
sOft-sweeping skirts.
Before another breath could be drawn
it was all over. She found herself sun
ported by Evelyn Ashes arm. his face
a shade or two paler, a CLINT in the
Opaque eyes fixed on hers. Every one
was crowding round her. excited, curious.
clamorOUsly sympathetic The Balaebal-
Ian motor was drawn up a short distance
off, and its occupants were hurrying for
ward TO swell the group. Next moment
Ashe gently withdrew his arm. In such
matters his tact never failed.
I beg your. pardon, Miss Stormont. but
there was no other way. The driver had
lost his head, apparently He had ~
right, Of course, to start off at such :.
pace when so many people We're aboft
but we needn't be too hard on him now
poor devil. He's had his lesson. I think. +"
as the lUckless amateur chauffeur who
had aspired 10 steer the BalachalIan mo-
tor came up white with fright and con
sternatiOn, TO make what apologies he
might.
Isobel met them with a quiet, Il think
It was I who was most to blame; should
have been more careful" as she let Ashe
hurry her away from the stares ard com
ments.
Miss Rudgeley shrugged her shoulders
as the group dispersed. Il told YOU Won
would kill something or somebody. Tom
my, she said to her would-be charioteer.
but I hoped the village hen would have
satisfied you. Jackson had better take rs
home, for I don't want to be accessory
to murder or manslaughter. as we all
might have been If 1t hadn't been for Eve
lyn Ashe. ! hope you're properly CRATE
full to him. though you've done him an
uncommOnly good turn, too, you and that
incoming girl between you. I fancy there
are a good many who wouldn't have OBJ
jected to the chance"
And foremost among them was Basil
COnyers. who secretly gnashed his teeth
when a luridly colored version of the
story reached him. Good Godi Why had
he not been there, He would have given
his right hand n save a hair of Tsobers
head from danger. and it had been left
to this fellow to snatch her from a
hideous peril. and his vague dislike Of
the man famed into an unreasoning but
most human hatred. He had to admit,