Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-08-23

incline to its bath
Why she fingered there. however.
was less patent. The water. as has
been indicated. was some inches below
the tonneau: it did not seem reason
able to assume that It should have IN
terfered with either running gear or
motor.
At this point in Maitland's medita-
lions the gray girl appeared to have
arrived at decision. She straight
cned up suddenly, with little reso-
lutte nod Of her head. lifting one small
foot to her knee, and fumbled with the
laces OF her shoe.
Maitland grasped her intention TO
abandon the machine. with her deter
mination to wade, Clearly this would
seem to demonstrate that there had
been a breakdown. irreparable so far
frail feminine hands were concerned.
One shoe removed. its fellow would
follow. and then. Out OF sheer
chivalry, the involuntary witness was
moved to earnest protest.
Don't" he cried. hastily. y say.
don't wade"
Her superb compOsure claimed his
admiration Absolutely ignorant
though she had been of his proximity,
the voice from out of the skies evil
IDENTIFY alarmed her rot at all. Still
bending over the lifted foot, she turned
her head slowly and looked up: and
oh" said small voice, tinged with
relief. And coolly knOtting the laces
again. she sat up. Il didn't hear you.
you know"
Nor | see you" Maitland supple
mented. unblushingly. until moment
ago I-er-can l be OF assistance?
Cant you?"
idiot" said Maitland. severely.
both to and of himself. Aloud: Il think
/ can
Il hope so'-doubtfuIly. ITS very
unfortunate. was running
rather fast. suppose, and didn't see
the slope until too late. Now. open
ing her hands in gesture ingenuously
charming with its suggestion OF help
lessness and dependence. Il don't
know what can be the matter with the
machine
I'm coming down.. announced
Maitland briefly. Wait
Thank you, shall"
She laughed, and Maitland could
have blushed for his inanity: happily
he had action to cloak his embarrass-
ment. In a twinkling he was at the
waters edge. pausIng there to listen.
with admirable docility. to her plain
tive objection: But you'll get wet
and-and ruin your things. l cant
ask that of YOU"
He chuckled, by way OF reply, slap
ping CALAMITY into the shadows and
courageously wading out to the side OF
the car. Whereupon he was advised in
tones CT iuttered indignation:
You simply wouldn't listen to me.
And warned you. Now you're soak
ing wet and will certainly catch your
death Of cold and-and what can l do?
Truly. I am sorry.
Here the young man lost track OF
her remark. He was looking up into
the shadow Of the motoring cap. dis
covering things; for the shadow was
Set at naught by the moon luster that.
reflected from the surface OF the
stream. invested with a gentle and
elamorous radiance the face that bent
above him. And he caught at his
breath sharply, direst fears confirmed:
Sne was pretty indeed-perilously
a
sensitive. swee. line OF scarlet lips.
the straight little nose. the brows del
icately arched. the large. alert. tawny
eyes with the dangerous sweet shad-
ows beneath. the CLINT as Of raw cop
per where her hair caught the light
Maitland appreciated them ali far too
we'll: and clutched nervously the rail
OF the seat. trying TO steady himself.
to re-collect his routed wits and con-
slider sensibly that II all was due to
the magic OF the moon, belize: the
witchery Of this apparition that looked
down into his eyes so gravely.
OF course" he mumbled. its too
beautiful TO eadure. OF course II will
all fade. vanish utterly in the cold
light Of day"
Above him. perplexed brows gath
cred ominously. Il beg pardon"
1--er-yes." he stammercd at ran.
dom.
"You-er-xhat7"
Positively. she vas laughing at him!
He. Maitland the exquisite. Mad Matt
land the imperturbabie. was being
laughed at by a mere child. a girl
scarcely out NJ her teens. He glanced
inward. caugh, her eye a-gieam with
merriment. and looked away with
much vain dignity.
4 was saying" he manufactured.
that I did not mind the ~e;ting in
the least I'm happy 20 bc Of service. "
You weren't saying anything Of the
sort" she coutradictcd, calmly. How
ever" She paused significantly.
Maitland experienced an instan-
tapcous sensation a. Of fur,ive EHiIt.