The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1908-07-02


uneven rails, and the softest cheek
In the world came up against my
own!
vow II was not my fault, but just
a combination Of circumstances too
strong to Withstand.
But, as II vas, the train popped out
as inconsiderately as It had dashed
into that COMPOUNDED tunnel, and there
was danes glossy head comfortably
popped against my shoulder and my
arm firmly planted round that neat
French waist!
The sunshine blinked at us impu.
IDENTIFY from behind a heavy cloud and
the sudden glare completed my con.
fusion, but my little companion, with
native grace, swiftly extsdcated her.
self from what we both, / think. felt
to be false situation
She rose quickly to her feet and
Strengthened her tumbled hair in the
dingy mirror opposite.
Monsieur must excuse !" she
said, rapidly, with carefully averted
face. 1T is not often that I find my
self TO faint!-but a tunnel-wlth no
lamp-impossible to figure to another
the suhocation It produoes!"
Her hands went up TO her slender
throat with true dramatic effect-the
clever little womanl My admiration
for her rose by leaps and bounds.
And suddenly the picture Of Angus
ta's face had she but peeped in upon
us and realized the result Of her tele.
graphic precipitation flashed before
my mental vision.
Our eyes met, as Diane turned
away from the glass; at first shyly,
then with a gathering sense Of mis-
chief and l could not resist the i'm
pulse.
81 was thinking of Augusta" | ans
wered the challenge Of those arched
eyebrows. "She asked me to look after
you coming down, you know"
But a look of bewilderment came
into her expressive eyes.
Augusta? l do not understan'"
my cousin, Of course, Mrs. Fame"
It was my turn to be puzzled now, for
the lady gave a little inarticulate cry,
and turned to me, her hands clasped
together her face despairing.
"She must nevaire know" she
stammered. Il did not imagine to
myself that monsieur was OF the
'ouse! Mon Dieu 1t would be wiser
that we are not acquainted"
She broke of with a shrug Of her
shoulders, and sat down in the far
corner Of the carriage.
'Enhn," she concluded, monsieur
understands-we ave not met"
The sudden change nettled me
Why, too, this desperate fear OF Au.
gustav Surely she could not believe
that | would be guilty of gossiping!
81 am afraid | can hardly agree to
that" said, in a voice as frigid as
her own. Seeing that l was asked,
as mentioned before, to travel down
with you"
Her pretty face grew pink.
Monsieur must forgive me-but l
cannot understand"
l dived into my pocket, and, pro-
ducing the crumpled telegram, hand
ed it across silently and at arms
length.
She took It with a little depreca.
tory smile. and read 1t slowly through
aloud
Diane coming by $3.50 train;
please bring her down. Augusta
You see"-I began, triumphantly;
but at this moment the train drew
up at Clipstone Junction, and a friend
ly station mastor broke In upon our
tete-a-tete.
You're all right for Wryborough,
sir! It's the slip carriage. 'Ope you're
quite well, sir. Right away there!"
He waved his arm vigorously, and
we we're off again, grunting and jerk
ing down the steep incline.
"An' who is Diane?" said my com
panion, thoughtfully,
/ gave a violent start
"Why-do you mean to say-you7
Aren't you Diane?" | shouted In my
excitement.
'Alais nonl Monsieur" came the
demure voice, 81 am Julle-Julie An
gellque Danton. Eat is my name.
do not understan'"
Again that maddening reiteration.
Pom my soul, I don't either!"
said in my annoyance, but at the
sound Of my voice mademoiselle drew
herself up stifiy.
81 am sorry--it is evident monsieur
as made a mistake" she looked
1t me Indignantly. several mistakes"
she amended. with cool precision.
felt I had deserved It. but the