The Columbus journal., 1908-08-05

fore l could analyze the magnetic
thrill that came from 1t, 1t was gone.
A flush passed over her face and died
away as she came.
You honor our poor house once
more?" she said, dropping a mock
courtesy. Il thought you had desert
ed u.s."
Not L." said I stoutly, holding out
my hand. saw there was a little play
to be carried on for the benefit of Mrs.
Knapp. For some reason she had not
confided In her mother. Not I. /
a, always your humble knight"
saw that Mrs. Knapp was looking
at us curiously. and pressed my ad-
vantage. Luella took my hand IN
willingly. Twas ready to dare good
deal for the clasp of her fingers, but
l scarcely felt the thrill of their touch
before she had snatched them away.
There's nothing but pretty speech
es to be had from you-and quotations
at that" she said. There was malice
under the seeming innocence Of pre-
tended pout.
There's nothing that could be SO
becoming in the circumstances"
Except common sense" frowned
Luella.
The most uncommon of qualities,
my DEAR" laughed Mrs. Knapp. sit
down. children. l must see to Mr..
Carter, who is lost by the portiere and
will never be discovered unless res
cue him.
Take him to dear Aunt Julia" said
Luella as her mother left US.
Dear Aunt julia" l inferred, was
Mrs. Bowser.
Luella took q seat and I followed
her example. Then, with chin in hand
and allow on the arm of her chair.
the young woman looked ut me calmly
and thoughtfully.
Well" said Luella at last, in a cut
ting voice, why don't you TALK"
ITS your lead" said l gloomily.
You took the last trick"
At this reference to our meeting, Lu-
ella looked surprised. Then she gave
a little ripping laugh.
Really" she said, Il believe l shall
begin to like you, yet"
That's very kind of you; but turn
about is fair play"
you mustn't do that" said she Sc
verely, 'or l shan't.'
Il meant it," said defiantly.
Then you ought to know better
than to say it." she retorted.
I'm in need of lessons, fear"
How delightful of you to confess
it! Then shall tell you what to do?"
This was very charming. FASTENED
to say:
DO. by all means"
The young woman sank back in her
chair, clasped her hands in her lap
as her mother had done. and glanced
hastily about. Then in a low voice
she said:
BE yourself"
1t was an electric shock she gave
me, not more by the words than by
the tone.
l struggled for moment before !
regained my mental balance.
Don't you think we could get on
safer ground?" l suggested.
No." said Luella. There isn't any
safe ground for us otherwise"
The sudden heart-sickness at the
remainder of my mission with which
these words overwhelmed me, tied my
tongue and mastered my spirits. It
was this girls father that l was pur-
suing. Oh, why was this burden laid
upon me? Why was l to be torn on
the rack between inclination and
duty?
Luella watched my face narrowly
through the conflict in my mind, and
l felt as though her spirit struggled
with mine to win me to the course of
open. honest dealing. But it was i'm
possible. She must be the last of all
to know.
Her eyes sank as though she knew
which had won the victory, and a
proud, scornful look took the place of
the grave good humor that had been
there a moment before. Then, on a
sudden. she began to speak of the the
0SCICs lAuCos NlAVCo 0uu wu0t.uOI VI
the pleasures of the day. Suddenly
she stopped with a weary look
There's Aunt Julia waiting for !
you," she said with a CLEAN of ma
ici0us pleasure. Come along. de-
liver you over prisoner of war"
WAIT minute" l pleaded.
NO." she said, imperiously motion !
ing me. Come along" And with q
sigh was given, a helpless, but ST.
lently protesting. captive, to the mer-
cies of Mrs. Bowser.
That eloquent lady received me |
with flutter Of feathers. II l may Dor
row the expression, to indicate her
pleasure.
tTO BE CONTINUED)