The newspaper., 1909-08-27
rcontlnued from page threel

| AAS AoSC SODeTeQ, uc otOOu lOI
| several moments staring thoughtfully
into space. Then his gaze chanced
to fall upon the great crimson blossom
which had SO nearly lured the girl to
her death.
"Hello!" he exclaimed; that's an
amaryllis. Wonder II she wasn't COM
ing to pick it" He snapped shut the
lid of the cigarette case. thrust it
carefully into his shirt pocket. and
stepped forward to pluck the flower.
Makes a fellow feel like . kid; but
maybe It'll make her feel less sore at
me-"
He stood gazing at the flower for
several moments, his eyes aglOw with
soft blue light.
'Whew." he sighed; IF only But
what's the use? She's way out of my
class-a rough brute like me! All the
same, it's up to me to take care of
her. She cant keep me from being
her. friend-and she sure can't object
to my picking flowers for her."
Amaryllis in hand. he gathered up
his bow and club. Then he paused
to study the skin Of the decapitated
adder. The inspection ended with a
shake of his head.
Better not, Thomas. II would make
dandy CULVER; but then. 1t might get
on her nerves" s3.
When he came to the ant-hill. he
found companions and honey alike
gone. He went on to the cocoanuts.
There he came upon Winthrope
stretched nat beside the skin OF hon
ey. Miss Leslie was seated = little
way beyond. nervousiy bending =
palmleaf into shape for hat.
II say. Blake" drawleA. winthrope.
you've been = deuced long time In
coming. II was no end Of . task to
lug the honey"
Blake brushed past without reply
ing. and went on until he stood before
the girl. As she glanced up At him.
he held out the crimson blossom.
Thought you might like posies." he
said. In a hesitating voice.
Instead of taking the flower. she
drew back with a gesture OF repul-
sion.
"Oh. take II away" she exclaimed
Blake flung the rejected gift on the
ground. and crushed # beneath his
heel.
Catch me making a fool OF myself
again." he growled.
Il did not mean II that way
really didn't. MIR. Blake. II was the
thought of that awful snake"
But Blake, cut to the quick. had
turned away far too angry to heed
what she said He stopped short be
a. .tfv
the skin OF honey upon his back. The
load was by no means a light one.
even for his strength. Yet he caught
up the heavy pot as well. and made
off across the plain at a pace which
the others could not hope TO equal.
As Winthrope rose and came for
ward to join Miss Leslie. he looked
about closely for the bruised flower.
II was nowhere in sight.
Er-beg pardon. Miss Genevieve.
but did not Blake drop the bloom
er-blossom somewhere about here?"
Perhaps he did" replied Miss Les
lie. She spoke with studied indiffer-
ence.
'I-ah-saw the fellow exhibit his
impudence."
Ie-eSg
You know. | think It high time the
bounder is taken down a peg
''Ah. indeed, Then why do you not
try it,"
Miss Genevieye, you know that at
present I am physically so much his
Inferior"
How about mentally?''
Though the girls eyes were veiled
BY their lashes. she saw Winthrope
cast after Blake a look that seemed
to her almost fiercely vindictive.
'Well?" she said. smiling. but watch
ing him closely.
Mentally soon see about
that" he muttered. Il must say. Miss
Genevieve, 1t strikes me as deuced odd.
you know. to hear you speak SO pleas
antly of a person who-not to mention |
past occurrences-has to-day, with the
most shocking disregard of-er-de- |
cency-"
'Stop,-stop this Instant" screamed |
the girl. her nerves overwrought.
Winthrope smiled with complacent
assurance.
My dear young lady" he drawled. |
ALLOW me to repeat: All is fair In love |
and war Believe me. love you most |
ardently.'' -
No gentleman would press his suit
at such time as this!"