, 1909-03-04

OF a rhinoceros could walk through
when theb bars are fast. See here"
He stepped up to the novel door
and slid several socketed crossbars
until their outer EMS were deep in the
noies in the tree trunk. three on each
side.
"How's that for a set of bolts" he
demanded.
wonderful! Really, you are very,
very clever! But why should Won go
to all this trouble. when the barri.
cade-"
We'll, you see, it's best to be on the
safe side"
But it's absurd Cor you to go to all
MS needless work. Not that I do not
appreciate your kind thought for my
safety. Yet look at your hands!"
Blake fastened to put his bleeding
hands behind him.
Go and wash them at once. and I'll
put on a dressing"
NO, thank o Miss Jenny. You
needn't bother. They'll do all right"
You must! 1t would please me-"
Why, then. of course But first.
'AAN " iiahc ohle you understand
fastening the door. Try the bars your
self"
She obeyed, sliding the bars in and
out until he nodded his satisfaction.
Good" he said. Now promise me
vou'l slide EN- fast every night"
IF YOU ask it. But why?"
Il want to make you perfectly safe"
safe? But am | not secure with
Look here. Miss Leslie; I'm not go
ing to say anything about anybody"
Perhaps o had better say no
more, Mr.. Blake
That's right. But whatever hap.
pens. you'll believe I've done my best,
won't you?-even If I'm not "a Prom.
Use me straight, you'll lock up tight
every night"
Very well, I promise" responded
the girl, not a little troubled by the
strangeness of his expression.
That night Miss Leslie dutifully |
fastened herself in with all six bars
che Weakened at dawn, and FASTENED
out to prepare Blake's breakfast. but
she found herself too late. There
were evidences that he had eaten and
one off before dawn. The stretching
frame of n of the antelope skins
had been moved around by the fire,
and OF the smooth inner surface OF
the hide was a laconic note, written
with charcoal in a firm. bold hand:
Exploring inland. Back by night
II can"
She bit her lip in her disappoint.
mont for che had rt1annaH RI chow him
how much she appreciated his absurd
but well-meant concern for her safety
AS it was, he had gone OF without a
word INT left her to the questionable
pleasure of a tete-a-tete with Win.
thrope. Hoping to avoid this, she hur-
ried her preparations for a day on the
cliff. But before she could got of,
Winthrope sauntered up. hiding his
yawns behind a hand which lad re-
gained most of its normal plumpness.
His eye was at once caught by the
charcoal note.
"Ah!" he drawled; really now, this
is too kind of him to give us the pleas
ure of his absence all day."
"Ye-es?" murmured Miss Leslie.
Permit me to add that you will also
have the pleasure of my absence. |
am going now"
Winthrope looked down, and began
to speak very rapidly: Miss Gen
evieve. Il wish to apologize. I've
thought it over. I've made a mistake
IL mean. my conduct the other day
was vile, utterly vile! Permit me to
appeal to your considerateness for a
man who has been unfortunate-who,
I mean, has been-er-was carried
away by his feelings. Your ~favoring
of that Observation-Disclosures
so angered me that THAT +"
"Mr. Winthrope," interrupted the
girl, 81 will have you to understand
that you do not advance yourself In
my esteem by such references to Mr.
Blake"
ave, aye. that Blake!" painted Win
thrope. Don't you see? It's i'm, an
that blossom! Wen a mans daily
wen 'e's in Lowell"
Miss Leslie burst into a nervous
laugh: but checked herself on the in
slant.
Really, Mr.. Winthrope!" she ex-
claimed, you must paiuoh nv
never knew that cultured Englishmen
ever dropped their his. As 1t happens
YOU know, l never saw one excited be-
fore this"
"Ah, yes; to be ure-to be sure!
murmured Winthrope, in an odd tont.
The girl threw out her hand III a -
tie gesture Of protest.
Really, I'm sorry to have hurt-to
have been so thoushtless''
winthrope stood silent. h spoke
AGAIN: I'll do what you ask iI
,nake allowances for your-for you
feelings towards me and try to forget
all YOU said the other day. LEI me
begin by asking a favor OF Vo"
.'Ah. Miss Genevieve, anything 10 DC
a. that I NAV do