Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-14
(Copyright-The Bobbs-Merrill Coz
11-Continued.
Author of 1.-THE Private War;"

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II-Continued.
"Of course" he mumbled. ''it's too
beautiful to endure. or course. It will all
fade. vanish utterly in the cold light of
day. ="
Above him perplexed brows' gathered
ominously. II beg pardon?'
"I-er-yes." he stammered at random.
''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, 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 . 80 She paused significantly.
Maitland experienced an instantaneous
sensation as of furtive guilt. decidedly
the reverse of comfortable. He shuffied
her part expectant. on his, blank. His
mental attitude remained hopeless-for
some mysterious reason his nonchalance
had deserted him in the hour of his su.
premest need; not in all his experience
did he remember anything like this-as
awkward.
The river purled indifferently about his
calves: a vagrant breeze disturbed the
tree tops and died of sheer lassitude;
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 bridget proved
untenanted, inoffensive of mien; nor arose
there any sound of hOof or wheel upon
the highway. Again he looked up at the
girl. and found her in thoughtful mood.
frowning. regarding him steadily beneath
level brows.
He assumed a disarming levity of de-
meanor. smiling winningly. There's only
one way" he suggested-not too archly-
and extended his arms.
''Indeed?' She considered him with
pardonable dubiety.
Instantly his purpose became as ada
mant.
II must carry you. It's the only way"
you. rm-very heavy. you know
Never mind" firmly insistent. You
can't stay here all night, of course
But are you sure?" (She was yield
ingD 81 don't like to"
He shook his head, careful to restrain
the twitching corners of his lips.
1T will take but moment" he urged,
gravely. And I'll be quite careful"
well" She perceived that. If not
right. he was stubborn, and with final
small gesture of depreciation weakly sur
rendered. I'm sorry to be such nuis-
ance" she murmured, rising and gather
ing skirts about her.
Maitland stoutly denied the hideous in
situation: Il am only too glad"
She balanced herself lightly upon the
STEP He moved nearer and assured HIM
self of firm foothold on the pebbly
river bed. She sank gracefully into his
arms. proving a considerable burden
weightier. in fact. than he had antici-
pated. He was somewhat staggered: it
seemed that he embraced countless yards
of ruffies and things ballasted with Cat a
shrewd guess) lead. He swayed.
Then. recovering his equilibrium, in
lost it again. completely.
II was mistaken he told himself;
daylight will but enhance. ~
She held herself considerably still. per-
haps wondering why he made no move.
Perhaps otherwise; there Is reason to be-
a woman.
At length. us there anything I can do
she inquired meekly, Ito make it easier
for your"
I'm afraid he replied, attitude apollo
getic. that I must ask you to put your
arm around my ne-my shoulders 1t
would be more natural"
oh
The monosyllable was heavy with
meaning-with any one of a dozen mean
ings. in truth. Maitland debated the
most obvious. Did she conceive he had
insinuated that 1t was his habit to ferry
armfuls of attractive femininity over
rocky fords by the light of a midnight
moon?
No matter. While he thought it out
she was consenting. Presently slender
arm was passed round his neck. Having
awaited only that, he began to wade eau
tiously shoreward. The distance lessened
perceptibly. but he contemplated the de-
creasing interval without joy, for all that
she was of an appreciable weight. For
all burdens there are compensations.
Unconsciously, inevitably, her head sank
toward his shoulder; he was aware of
her breath. fragrant and warm, upon his
cheek. He stopped abruptly, cold
chills running up and down his back: he
gritted his teeth; he shuddered percept-
IDLY.
what is the natter" she demanded,
deeply concerned, but at pains not to stir.
Maitland made a strange noise with his
tongue behind clenched teeth. 'Urrrrgh,"
he said. distinctly.
She lifted her head. startled: relief fol-
lowed. intense and instantaneous.
I'm sorry" he muttered, humbly, face
aflame, but you tickled.''
"Im-so-sorry!' she gasped. violently
agitated. And laughed a low. almost a
silent, little laugh, as with deft fingers
she tucked away the Grant lock of hair.
asst Maitland told himself f1ercely,
striding forward.
In another moment they were on dry
land. The girl slipped from his arms and
faced him. eyes dancing. cheeks crimson,
lips tense. .quivering, scarlet line. He
met this with a rueful smile.
''But-thank you-but.' she gasped. ex-
plosively, ut was so funny.
Wounded dignity melted before her
laughter. For a time. there in the moon
light. under the scornful regard OF the
disabled motor cars twin headlights,
these two rocked and shrieked. while the
silent night flung back disdainful echoes
of their mad laughter.
Perhaps the insane incOngruity or their
performance first became apparent 10 the
girl: she, at all events, was the first to
control herself. Maitland subsidized. rum
bling. while she dabbed at her eyes with
a wisp of lace and linen.
Forgive me- she said. family, at
length: II didn't mean to
''HOw could you help 1t? Who'd expect
a hulking brute like myself to be tick
lish?'
You are awfully good" she countered
more calmly.
Don't say that. I'm clumsy lout.
But He held her gaze inquiringly.
But may 1 ask
"Oh. of course-certainly / am-was-
bound for Greenpoint-On-the-So
Ten miles, he interrupted.
The corners of her red lips dropped; her
brows puckered with dismay. Instinctive-
ly she glanced toward the waterbound
car