, 1908-08-27

Indeed! She appeared to me to be
extremely unconventional, with q de.
cidsd tendency for mischief. 10 that
your meaning?"
Partially. She manages to do
everything in . different way from
other people. Her mind seems pecu-
Iiarly independent. and she is so I'm
rsservedly western In hen ways and
language. But l was referring rather
10 her taste in books-shs dsvours
everything"
You mean ~ . student?"
well, yes, / suppose SO; at least
she appears to possess the faculty Of
absorbing every bit Of Information.
like . sponge. Sometimes she actual
n startles me with her Sdd questions.
| really believe Mr.. WyAkoop seeks to
avoid meeting her. she has shocked
hin 80 frequently in religious nat
tsrs."
Does she make nsh& u his faith ?"
oh, ne, not that exactly. at least 1t
10 not her intention. But she wants
to know sverything-why We believe
this m why We believe that, doc
trinss which ne one else ever dreams
Of questioning, and he cannot seem to
make them clear to her mind. Some
Of her questions are so %irreverent a.
to be positively shocking to = spirit.
ually minded person"
They lapssd into silence, swinging
easily to tho guidance Of the music.
HiT fses was grave and thoughtful.
This picture Just drawn Of the per-
1890 Malta k~l >~H >r~.tl- 11--r>l
her IN his estimation, although he felt
hstinetivsIy that Miss Spencer was
aot altogether pleased with his svi-
dent interest in another.
1T 10 very Interesting 70 know that
you two Hst In 30 unconventional q
way" she ventured, softly. and SO
sly Of her not oven to mention 1t to
Ne. We are roon-nates. you know.
aAA consequently quite intimate, al
though she possesses many peculiar
characteristics which l cannot in ths
least approve. / shall certainly do my
best 10 guide her Alright. Would you
mind giving ne some details Of YOU
nesting?"
For q moment he hssitated, feeling
that II the girl had not seer At to con-
Ade her adventure to this particular
friend, 1t vas hardly his place to do
10. Then, remembering that he had
already said enough to arouse curl
ssity, which might easily be developed
into suspicion, he determined his
course. In q few words the brief story
was frankly told. and apparently
proved quite amusing to Miss Spencer.
"Oh, that was MAZDA. beyond .
dsubt" she exclaimed. with a laugh Of
satisfaction. "It is all 80 characters
tic Of her. only wonder how she
ehanced to guess you name; but real
~ the girl appears to possess some
peculiar gift in thus discerning facts
hidden from others.
The music coming to 4 pause, they
slowly ~traversed the room.
81 presume. then, she is not pres
ent?" he said. quietly.
Mss Spencer glanced into his face.
tAs grave one making her apprshen-
stss tAat she might have sons too far.
- VAs hers earlier in b evea-
ing. bSt now that you remind me OF 1t.
a - rot recall having noticed her 81
pate. But really, lieutenant, it IL NO
part Of my duty to chapsron the young
BiH. Mrs. Herndon could probably In
Form you Of her present Whereabouts.
MISC Spencer was conscious of the
Biting Of failure, and her face flushed
'RSA vsxation. 1T 10 extremely close
d Asrs, don't you think!" she com
plaAasd. And 1 was 30 careless As TO
naslay ny faa. l feel almost suno-
1000"
''Did lyau leave II Ut hons!" he CUES
}1sasd. Possibly L might discover y
somewhere N the room
"oh, no; l would never think OF
tsoubling yeu to such N extent. No
doubt this feeling q lsssttuds will
pass away shortly. 1t was very fool
ish Of me, but l LEFT the fan with my
wraps 1t the hotsL. 1t can be recov.
Bred VIXEN We 90 ACROSS to supper"
1T will bsano more thanta pleasure
- v for you" he protested.
calamity.
TIE stairs leading down from the
hail entrance. were shrouded in dark
ness. the street below nearly deserted
lot lodtsysrs, slthough lights streamed
lorth rssplendeatlyr from the undrapsd
windows Of the, Occidental and tho
hotel opposite. Assisted In his search
b Mrs.. Guny, the oficer succeeded In
rseovsriAg the lost fan. and s~tsrtedsts
return. Just without the hotel door.
under the confusing shadows OF the
vtAs psrsA. he came suddenly lace to
face with . young woman. he uns1-
\ psctsAe suppuutsra mutual aAd smbar-
3rassiAg surprise.
CHAPTER XIV.
An Unusual Girl.
TAs. mi. was without wraps. her