The Washington herald., 1907-08-04

tilInSS KICK out Nneu We pass. now tiCf
hate us and the dust We make com
piaCeruy.
Yes, 1 wish you'd tell Jackson to go
little more slowly when we're passing
any one: and, on my dear. / heard young
AIr. Tom Goldschmid say he was going
TO act chauffeur Rudgeleys pro-
nunciation Of the word was strictly pho-
netic. DO you-Oh. do you think he's
to be trusted" TREMENDOUSLY There's that
sharp corner by the CaldTon Linn. It's
quite bad enough with Jackson, but
"Oh. no fear" broke in vi, carelessly.
i dare say Tommy sets some store by
his own neck Perhaps we'd better be
trotting, though" 10 Ashe.
In her chagrin on learning that he did
not intend "trotting' with her and the
Balachallan party, Benson's gossip was
forgotten for the time-by Miss Rudge-
ley, at least, not by Ashe, though he had
little doubt but thagby and by he would
hear the odd thing whatever it might
be-
Meantime his ears ought to have been
burning, according To the old nursery be-
lief, for the first words which Conyers
said when he and Isobel had left tine
hubbub of the tent behind them, and had
turned into the deep cool gTeenness OF
the river walk. we're;
I say, do you mind my saying IL? But
wouldn't have that fellow Ashc too
much around. If / were you"
"Too much around" repeated ISobel. i'm
surprise. Il never spoke TO him until
to-day. did 10" looking around with that
bcwildercd doubt in her beautiful eyes
which always touched Conyers' protective
instincts TO the quick. He was very use
full in the tent Just now. and / found him
rather interesting. recalling their talk
upon the terrace.
''Of c0uTse-aH women find him inter
esting. confOUnd him-thOUgh l don't
know what you all see in him" saiG
BASIL switching viciously at the lush
green underground
But what is the matter with him? Why
shouldn't l speak 70 him? Every one
does. said IsobeI. with a touch of her
old childish simplicity.
L don't mean that you're not to speak
to him-that would be absurd; and I don't
say there's anything the matter exactly,
switching harder than ever. According to
his code, be was doing rather a shabby
thing in thus giving another fellow away.
even though that fellow was Ashe. but
he had been tantalzed ali day by the
sight of him 10y IsobeTs side. by seeing
those opaque eyes of his following her
every movement.
But what is the matter-exactly or
not?' smiling. rs il because he came
with the Rudgeleys; but so did that nice
Lane boy"
Bob Lane, On. he's all right. but Ashe
well. he's rather different I-can't quite
explain, but T~wish you'd take my word
for il: and, anyhow, don't let Us waste
any more time over him It's so quiet
and jolly here, it's shame to spoil il
worrying over fellow like Ashe."
These last words Undid all Ashe was
nothing TO IsObel. She was interested in
every one and in everything just now. but
with him she was aware Of q curious
mingling of attraction and replusion. which
she had not experience enough 10 under
stand OF analyZe. She was much more
conscious, however of a vague disap-
pOintment with her Cousin Bas!Fs words
and manner, which had recurred once and
again in the few days since their first
meeting. and, above all, there was grow
ing upon her a battling sense Of being In
the dark. surrounded by invisible bar
riers, through which she was powerless
to break-looks and words which were
full Of meaning 10 others held none for
her! Now all these half-comprehended
feelings rushed out in a little squirt Of
perversity
I don't understand but then, there is
so much ! can't understand" she said
slowly. But do you think it is quite
right, quite fair. to speak against Mr.
Ashe as you have done? Oh. I know you
have said nothing, as Basil tried to
speak. that is the worst Of il: but don't
you think you ought to give some rea-
son?"
She paused. her eyes full on his face.
This time il was Basirs eyes which yav-
cred before hers.
of course, you can't understand" he
said eagerly, and yet awkwardlv. How
could you understand the world that men
live IN? Other women might 7 might
speak to them"
The hurt hot blood sprang to her face
/ see, in voice hard with pain and
anger TT is not because AIr. Ashe is
different from other men, then, that
cannot be told. but because I am so diff
feTent from other women Do you think
don't know it-dOn't feel depressing on
me more and more-shutting me out?'
She had time to say so much. for the
young man was at first fairly struck
dumb by such a misinterpretation of his
words.
Yes, you are different" he cried. his
tone matching hers. His promise was
wholly forgotten. Promise, What mortal
man could have been bound by such
promise with IsobeI Stormont standing
before him. her delicate face aglow. ewes
alight?
Three Is no company. I know" said
hlgh, treble voice; and BasiTs rush of hot
words remained unspOken. 'T ought to ef-
face myself, I suppose. but I can only do
that by taking the longer way to the
house, and am sure you would not wish
TO put me to that trouble" and Lady Car
ruthers, whose step and tapping cane had
been inaudible on the messy walk. looked
from the one TO the other and broke into
her high-pitched. cackling laugh. a sound
before which sentiment and all tender
feelings shrunk and fed affrIghted as
ghosts at cock-crowing Il have never
had word yet with you. my dear" nut
ting her heavily-ringed hand on Isobel's
slight arm. oh, no; you will not be re-
Quired at the house It is a very easy
task to speed the parting guest. We are
all quite equal 10 that; but you had bet
ter go, my dear boy" nodding at Basil
You could help to pack the Duncaird
dowageTs into their shaHdry-dans. You
and Isobel can make up your little diff
ferences by and by. That will be a pleas
ure to look forward to-"
CHAPTER K.
Evelyn Ashes OppOrtunity.