Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-13
Continuation of Chapter II.


capacity for establishment, he accepted
without demur this latest and most
astounding Of the chain of amazing
condolences which had thus far en-
liyened the nights earlier hours; and
stood rapt in silent contemplation, SEN
sible that the girl had been unaware
OF his approach, deadened as his foot
steps must have been by the blanket
of dust that carpeted both road and
bridge deep and thick.
on her part she sat motionless, evil,
IDENTIFY lost in reverie, and momentariiy'
at least, unconscious OF the embar-
RAISING predicament which was hers.
So complete, indeed. seemed her alb"
straction that Maitland caught him
self questioning the reality Of her
And we'll might she have
seemed to him a pale little wrath OF
the night the simmer of gray mat
she made against the simmer OF
light on the water-a shape almost
transparent, slight. and unsubstantial-
seeming TO contemplate, and as still as
any mouse.
Looking more attentively, it became
evident that her veil was now raised.
This was the first time that he had
seen her so. But her countenance re-
mained so deeply Swallowed by the
visor of a mannish mOtorfng-cap that
the most searching scrutiny gained no
more than a dim and scantily salts
factory impression Of alluring lowell
ness.
Maitland turned noiselessly, rested
elbows on the rail. and, staring, franz
ed a theory to account for her posi-
ton, If not for her patience.
On either hand the road. dividing,
struck off at a tangent, down the
banks and into the river-bed. 1t
was credible to presume that the girl
bad lost control OF the machine tempo
rarily and that 1t. taking the bit between
it's teeth, had swung gaily down the in
cline to it's bath.
Why she fingered there, however, was
less patent The water, as has been In
dicated, was some inches below the ton
neau; it did not seem reasonable to as
sumo that It should have interfered with
either running-gear or motor.
At this point in Maitland's meditations
they gray girl appeared to have arrived
at a decision. She Strengthened up sud
denly. with a little resolute nod of her
head. lifting one small foot to her knee,
and fumbled with the laces Of her shoe.
Maitland grasped her intention to aban-
done the machine, with her determination
to wade! Clearly this would seem to de-
monstrate that there had been break
down. irreparable so far as frail feminine
hands were concerned.
One shoe removed, its fellow would fol-
low, and then. Out Of sheer chiv-
alrv. the involuntary witness was moved
to earnest protest.
"Don't!'' he cried hastily. "I say. don't
wade!"
Her superb composure claimed his adj
miration Absolutely ignorant though she
had been of his proximity, the voice from
out of the skies evidently alarmed her not
at ALL Still bending over the lifted foot,
she turned her head slowly and looked
IN: and "Ohr' said a small voice tinged
with relief. And coolly knotting the laces
again, she sat up. IT didn't hear you, you
know"
Nor 1 see YOU" Maitland supplemented
unblushingly, until a moment ago. Ter
can 1 be of assistanceT
Can your
'Idiotr' said Maitland severely. both to
and of himself. Aloud: IT think cam
81 hone o."-doubtfully IT'S very I'M
fortunate was running rather
fast, / suppose. and didn't see the slope
until too late. Now" opening her hands
I'm gesture ingenuously charming with
its sugggestion of helplessnes and de-
pendence. II don't know what can be the
matter with the machine"
"Pm coming down." announced Malt
land briefly Wait
THANK you. 1 SHALL"
She laughed, and Maitland could have
laughed for his insnity; happily he had
action to cloak HIS embarrassment In
twinkling he was at the waters edge
pausing there to listen. with admirable
dociljty, to her plaintive objection. But
vou'u get wet and-and ruin your things.
1 can't ask that Of you"
He chuckled, by way or reply. slapping
calamity into the shadows and courage
ousIy wading out to the side of the car.
Whereupon he was advised in tones OF
fiuttered Indignation:
''You simply wouldn't listen to me! And
I warned you! Now you're soaking wet
and will certainly catch your death OF
| cold. and--and what can 1 doT Truly !
am sorry. e.
Here the young man lost track of her
, remark. He was looking up into the
shadow of the motoring cap, discovering
things; for the shadow was set at naught
1 bv the moon luster that, reflected from
| the surface of the stream. invested with
a gentle and glamorous radiance the
| face that bent above him. And he caught
at his breath sharply, direst fears con-
| frmed: she was pretty indeed-perilously
pretty. The firm, resolute chin, the SEN
| sitive sweet line of scarlet lips, the
/ straight little nose, the brows delicately
1 arched, the large, alert, tawny eyes with
| the dangerous sweet shadows beneath
! the CLINT as of raw copper where her hair
/ caught the nght-Maitland appreciated
| them all far too well; and clutched nerv-
/ ously the rail of the seat, trying to steady
himself, to re-collect his routed wits and
| consider sensibly that 1t all was due to
! the magic Of the moon, belize; the witch
| cry of this apparition that looked down
| into his eyes so gravely.
"Of course" he mumbled, its too
beautiful to endure. OF course 1t will all
fade, vanish utterly in the cold light OF
| day. e"
Above him, perplexed brows gathered
oniinously. II beg pardon?"
"I-er-yes." he stammered at random.
| "You-er-whatG'
Positively, she was laughing at him!
He. Maitland the exquisite, Mad Maitland
the imperturbable, was being laughed at
| by a mere child, girl scarcely out Of
her teens. He glanced upward, caught
her eye a-gleam with merriment, and
looked away with much vain dignity.
Il was saying" he manufactured, that
I 6:G =..t mind the wetting in the least.
I'm happy TO be of service"
You weren't saying anything OF the
sort" she contradicted calmly. How
ever .. =" She paused significantly.