Evening star., 1909-04-11

VatOr without further parley. But she shot 4
glance at Spenser over her shoulder that he
could not fail to interpret as a silent message of
encouragement Forthwith he viewed her be-
havior from more favorable standpoint.
Guess the feminine makeup IS more com
plex than | counted on. he communed. as he
bent over table to find match.
7 LIKE your American. my dear" said Mrs
de la We're sympathetically, in the solitude
of the corridor.
Helen silent
:" If you want to cry. don't mind me-, went
on the kindly cynic. m coming in with you.
You must tell me all about it. That will do
you world OF good.
There's n-n-nothing to tell" sobbed Helen.
oh yes. there is You silly child to-
morrow you will have to choose between those
two men. Which shall it be. | said before din
ner that couldn't help you to decide. Perhaps
was mistaken. Anyhow, III try.
A T midnight the snowstorm ceased the wind
died away. and the still air deposited its
vapor on hills and valley in hoar frost The
sun with magnificent disregard for yes
terdays riot.
Sponsors room faced the southeast When
the valet drew his blind in the morning. the cold
room was filled with balmy warmth. A glance
through the window, however dlSpelled germ
of hope that Helen and he might start on the
promised walk to Eicosoprano. The snow lay
deep in the pass. and probably extended mile
or two down into the Vale of Bregaglia. The
rapid thaw that would set in during the fore
noon might clear the roads before sunset. Next
day, walking would be practicable; to-day, 1t
meant wading.
He looked through the Orlegna gorge and
caught the silvery sheen of the Gina iii Rossos
snow capped summit Hardly rock was visi
BILE. The gale had clothed each crag with
white shroud All day long the upper reaches
Of the glacier would be pelted by ayalanches
1t struck him that early stroll to the highest
point of the path beyond Cavloccio might be
rewarded with distant view of several falls.
In any case. it provided an excellent pretext
for securing Helens company. and he would
have cheerfully suggested trip in balloon to
attain the same object.
For once in his life the color of tie and the
style of his clothes became matters of serious
import. At first he was blind to the humor OF it.
He hesitated between the spruce tightness OF
more loosely designed garments he had pur-
chased in London. Then he laughed and red
dened FGnging both aside, he chose the
climbers garb worn the previous day, and be-
gan to dress hurriedly. Therein he was well
advised Nothing could better become his
athletic figure He was that type of
which looks thinner when fully clothed
Helen usually came down to breakfast at
half past eight. She had the healthy British
habit of beginning the day with good meal,
and Spenser INDUCED in the conceit that he
might be favored with tete-a-tete before they
started for the projected walk. Neither Bower
nor Mrs. de la We're ever put in an appearance
at that hour
PUT, as often happens, his CHEEKY mood was
destined to end in disappointment. He
fingered whole hour in the dining room; but
Helen came not Then he in panic.
What if she had breakfasted in her room. and
was already basking on the sunlit veranda, per-
haps listening to Bowers eloquences He
rushed out SO suddenly that his waiter was
amazed
No, the veranda was empty-to him. Plenty
Of people greeted him; but there no Helen.
Ultimately he reflected that their appointment
was for ten o'clock. He calmed down. and
pipe became obvious ust then servant
brought him a note. The handwriting
strange to his eyes; but premonition told him
that it was Helen's Somehow, he expected
that she would write in a clear, strong. legible
way. He was not mistaken She sent friendly
little message that she was devoting the morn
ing to work The weather made it impossible
to 60 to Vicosoprano. and in any event she did
not feel equal to long walk Yesterdays
events" she explained, took more out of me
than | imagined
WELL, she had been thinking of him, and
~ that counted. He was staring at the
snow covered tennis courts. and wondering
how soon the valley would regain its summer
aspect when Stampa limped into sight round
the corner of the hotel. He stood at the foot
| of the broad flight of steps. as though waiting
for some one Spenser was about to join him
| f,r a cbat y,bar ha raoo1Iac+aJ tb,f Pnuyar ,pJ