Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01

81
G4N6GS messages off the file, III
and made miniature II
snow storm of them about the room. FfTTl
Last but not least, it delcately re- liza
moved the scrap of paper Valentine I TIL
held in his fingers, carried it up to the 5|.h
ceiling. and eventually dropped it at HI
Smith flung his weight against the sit
door and presently got it closed again. y H+
That done, he deliberately picked up =
the scrap of paper without, however,
reading what Beaumont had written
on it.
There was full minute of silence
after that, while Smith and the girl
whose hand he had kissed the night be-
fore unrebuked. stood facing each other.
Well, she said at last, trying to
speak with cool good humor. but not
quite achieving the manner she aimed at well,
turn about is fair play You got ahead of us last
night, and we have got ahead of you this morning;
This message?" he asked, indicating the paper IN
eyes" she said Please give it to me at once,
Instead of obeying her. he deliberately smoothed
out the bit of paper and read its contents.
flood of angry color rushed into her cheeks when
she saw what he was doing but she did not speak
shriveed Valentine to cinder if they had been
turned him; but Smith, when he had finished
reading faced them coolly enough Or at least it
seemed.
"You say" he asked quietly that you have al
ready sent this message to Georgetown!
the opinion that she would be entirely justified IN
lying to him She meant to lie to him, wanted to-
but perfectly irrational instinct, born and grown
strong upon long habit of truthfulness, made her
hesitate in spite of herself.
This momentary hesitation Smith remarked, with
a smile. No, he said, don't say it. l am per-
fectly sure that the message has not been sent
Mr. Smith she said. that's private message
1t is my fathers property and for the last time ask
you to give it back to me-
The words produced no effect, and did not even
draw answer.
Haven't you any instinct of fair play at all? she
continued Are you willing to be a robber in adj
dition to all the rest!
7 AM willing to be robber since you make it neces-
sary" he said. GAS for my instinct of fair play,
it is not revoted by anything have done. You
more right in saying that had got ahead OF
you last night, than you In SAYING that You had
got ahead of me this morning. l completely
taken n and l think that you know it. had no
more idea of your real purpose in giving me that
very delightful hour last evening" than you had that
l saw you break into the station just now. You and
your father would have got safe away last night be-
fore suspected anything, if it had not been for
well, for almost miraculous piece of good luck
As you remarked, turn about is fair play only this
happens to be my turn Miss Beaumont
There tears in her eyes, tears of speeches.
anger, and the fact that they were there that she
was powerless to hold them back gave her an added
OF outrage
They affected Smith too and in curious way; for
he turned abruptly from her and upon the covering
Valentine.
Valentine had been able to keep his self possession
his head But his brief respite Smith S
face and manner when he turned on him were posi-
lively truculent.
Mr.. Valentine" he said pointing to the door,
"get out OFF with you,'
Chrlstabel started as if the words had been adj