The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-02-14
she said demurely "You certainly
made IN exhaustive study"


he said. 81 did not know that l was
rude"
'You were not" she conceded. ut
was more that / was-well, let's say
observant"
Clayton flushed Somehow the girl
had made an impression on him when
she first came into the car. 1t was
pleasant to think that she, too. had
been interested. The thought gave
him courage, and almost before they
realized it the porter began to brush
the passengers down.
"aIercyv' she cried Il did not know
that time was passing So We are al
most in New York"
Il wish we We're headed the other
way" he said resretfully. May l call
before you go:"
Il sail in the morning." she said. Il
am sorry that cannot say yes You
see, don't know what plans have
been made for this evening. and it
might not look well to have you calling
when l cannot explain
May writer" he asked eagerly. Il
do not want to have you slip right out
Of my life.''
Il think it would be better" she said
slowly. 81 wish you would even forget
my name. II cannot explain"
'1'l think of you as Mile. Alias" he
said promptly. Your double had so
| many names that shall pretend that
| you are She"
They had risen and were standing
on the platform of the Pullman. She
put her hand in his.
Perhaps am," she said softly.
| THANK you SO much for your kind
ness, and goodby."
She had slipped down the steps and
was lost in the crowd before Clayton
had recovered from the audacity of
that last speech. He knew that it
could not be true, yet for moment the
suggestion shocked him. He hurried
down the platform after her, but the
boats were just leaving their slips as
he passed through the gate, and she
was lost
For weeks Clayton puzzled over that
speech. He knew very well that she
was not the swindler, yet why did she
choose to create that doubt? The more
he reasoned the more puzzled he be
came. Only one fact stood unchanged
He loved her. That was certain.
Business called him to London, ani
there. away from his friends. he came
to his decision. When his business af
| fairs We're Strengthened out he would
go straight to Detroit and see If hi
could locate the Ormondes.
But he did not have to wait that long
He took the boat at Southampton, ant
at Cherbourg the passengers from Par
is came on board. Clayton. leanin.
over the rail on the upper deck. saw {
figure ascending the gangway tha
caused his heart to beat faster.
1t could be none other than Mile
Alias He hurried down to the lowe
deck. but could not find her, and
though the passenger list gave he
name for two days he looked for he
in vain
Then. late in the evening, a wan littl
figure was helped out on deck and es-
tablished in a steamer chair. Claytol
hurried toward her
II have been looking for you for tw,
days" he said when greetings had beel
exchanged "Where have you conceal
ed yourself?'
"In my BERTH" she explained Is
have been most miserably seasick
Why did you search for me?"
Il wanted to ask you to become m
wife," he said directly.
Not knowing whether | am a cor
fidenee worker or not?' she demanded
knowing in my heart that you ar
not" he corrected, "why did you see
to raise such doubt?'
"As a test" she said. "Had you nc
believed in me you would have los
interest, and wanted to see
''Are you content?' he asked rs hi
hand closed over hers 81 have neve
lost faith.''
She spoke no word. yet Clayton kne,
that he had won. and he bent and kis:
ed her. I'VE shall add Clayton to you
| aliases" he smiled. THAT i'll be til
last