The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-12-22

NJ
Z He is out. Will you wait? He
will return in very few slin.
lutes." Her voice was clear and
low, her accent charming. The
smile in her eyes somehow struck
him as sad, even fleeing in its
attempt at mirth. AS she spoke
it disappeared altogether and an
almost somber expression came in
to her face.
Thanks. I'll-wait," he said
suddenly embarrassed. She turn
ed to the window, resuming the
wistful, preoccupied gaze down
the avenue. He made pretense OF
inspecting the wares on the oppo-
site wall, but covertly watched her
out of the corner of his eye. Per-
haps, calculated he, il she were
Iattired In the gown of one of those
fashionables she might rank with
the noblest of them in beauty and
delicacy. Her. dark little head
was carried with all the serene
pride of lady of quality; heI
features were clear cut, mobile
and absolutely flawles. He was
sure of that: his sly analysis was
not as casual as one might sup.
pose under the circumstances. As
a matter of fact, he found himself
having what he afterward called
"a very good look at her." She
seemed to have forgotten his pres.
ence. The longer he looked al
the delicate profile, the more, fully
was he convinced that she was
not all that she pretended. He ex
perienced thrill of hope. If she
wasn't what she pretended to be
then surely she must be what he
wanted her to be-a lady of quail
| ity. In that case there was a mys
terry. The thought restored his
ltemerity.
beg pardon" he said, politely
lsauntering up to the little coun.
ter. He noted that she was taller
than he had thought, and slender
She started and turned TOWARD
him with a quick, diffident smile
her dark eyes filling with an un
spoken apology. 81 wanted tt
have another look at the broad
sword there. May I get it out Of
the window, or will your"
Very quickly-he noticed thai
ishe went about it clumsily despite
her supple gracefulness-she
withdrew the heavy weapon from
the window and laid it upon the
counter. He was looking at hel
with a peculiar smile upon his
lips. She flushed painfully.
81 am not-not what you would
call an expert" she said frankly
you mean in handling broad
swords" he said in his most suave
manner. Its cunning little
thing, isn't it," He picked III
the ponderous blade. 81 dom
wonder you nearly dropped it OF
your toes"
There must have been giant:
in those days." she said, Sigh
shudder passing over her.
"Whoppers," he agreed eagerly
1--WE thought something of buying
the old thing. Not to use, o
course. I'm not a giant"
You're not pigmy," she sup
lplemented, her eyes sweeping hi;
long figure comprehensively.
| whats the price?" he asked
his courage faltering under the
cool, impersonal gaze.
II do not know. My uncle ha,
told you?"
II think he did. But I've
got wretched memory when i
lcomes to broadswords."
She laughed. This is such 6
livery old broadsword, too" she
said. ut goes back beyond the
memory of man."
How does it come that yor
don't know the priee?" he asked
watching her narrowly. She me-
his inquiring look with perfect
composure.
II am quite new at the trade
I hope you will excuse my ignor.
ance. My uncle will be here in 6
moment. She was turning away
with an air that convinced Kine
of one thing: she was a person
who, in no sense, had ever beer
called upon to serve others.