Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-07


the shadow of the motoring 1ip, dis
covering things; for the shadow was
set at naught by the moon luster that,
reflected from the surface Of the
stream, invested with gentle and
glamorous radiance the face that bent
above him. And he caught at his
breath sharply, direst fears confirmed:
She was pretty indeed-perilously
pretty. The firm, resolute chin, the
sensitive. sweet line OF scarlet HH'.
the straight little nose, the brows d.
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 all far too
well: and clutched nervously the rail
of the seat. trying to steady himself,
to re-collect his routed wits and con-
slider sensibly that it 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 endure. OF course 1t will
all fade, vanish utterly in the cold
light Of day"
Above him, perplexed brows gath
cred ominously. II beg pardon?"
T--er-yes," he stammered at ran.
dom.
"You-er-what?
Positively, she was laughing at him!
He, Maitland the exquisite, Mad Matt
land the imperturbable, was being
laughed at by mere child, a girl
scarcely out OF her teens. He glanced
upward. caught her eye a-gleam with
merriment, and looked away with
much vain dignity.
II was saying" he manufactured,
that I did not mind the wetting in
the least. I'm happy to be Of service"
'You weren't saying anything Of the
Sort" she contradicted, calmly. How
ever" She paused significantly.
Maitland experienced an instan.
taneous sensation as of furtive guilt,
decidedly the reverse of comfortable.
He shufled uneasily. There was q
brief silence, on her part expectant,
on his, blank. His mental attitude re-
manned hopeless; for some mysterious
reason his nonchalance had deserted
him in the hour of his supermest
need; not in all his experience did he
remember anything like this--as awk-
ward.
The river purled indifferently about
tfs calves; q vagrant breeze disturbed
the tree tops and died Of sheer lassi.
tude; Time plodded on with measured
stride. Then, abruptly, full-winged
inspiration was born out of the chaos
of his mind Listening intently, he
glanced with covert suspicion at the
bridge; it proved untenanted, inoien-
sive of mien; nor arose there any
sound Of hoof or wheel upon the high.
way. Again he looked up at the. girl;
and found her in thoughtful mood,
frowning, regarding him steadily be-
meath level brows.
He assumed q disarming levity OF
demeanor, smiling winningly. There's
only one way he suggested-not too
archly-and extended his arms.
sIndeed?" She considered him with
pardonable dubiety.
Instantly his purpose became as
adamant.
Il must carry you. It's the only
way
ooh, indeed no. couldn't impose
upon you. I'm-very heavy, you
know"
Never mind" firmly insistent. "You
can't stay here all night, of course. :
''But are you sure?" (She was yield
ing!) Il don't like to"
He shook his head, careful to re.
strain the twitching corners OF his
lips.
''It will take but moment" he
urged, gravely. "And I'll be quite
careful"
well" She perceived that II not
right, he was stubborn; and with f.
nal small gesture Of depreciation.
weakly surrendered I'm sorry to be
such nuisance" she murmured, ris
ing and gathering skirts about her,
Maitland stoutly denied the hideous
insinuation. Il am only too glad"
She balanced herself lightly upon
the step. He moved nearer and as
sured himself Of a firm foothold on the
pebbly river bed. She sank gracefully
into his arms, proving considerable
burden-weightier in fact. than he
had anticipated. He was somewhat
staggered; it seemed that he embraced
countless yards of ruffles and things
ballasted with Cat shrewd guess
lead He swayed.
Then, recovering his equilibrium, ne
incautioNsly glanced into her eyes. And
lost it again, completely.
81 was mistaken" he told himself
daylight will but enhance"
She held herself considerably still
perhaps wondering why he made nc
move Perhaps otherwise; there Is
reason to believe that she may have
suspected-being woman.
At length: SIS there anything
can do she inquired, meekly, "tc
make it easier for you?"
I'm afraid" he replied, attitude
apologize, that must ask you to put
your arm around my ne-my shout
ders. 1t would be more natural"
ooh"
The monosyllable was heavy with
meaning-with any one of dozen
meanings, in truth. Maitland debated
tho most obvious Did she conceive