The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-07-29

weakly surrendered. I'm sorry to be
such nuisance" she murmured, ris-
ing and gathering skirts about her.
Maitland stoutly denied the hideous
insinuation. Il am only too glad"
She balanced herself lightly upon
the step He moved nearer and as
sured himself Of a firm foothold on the
pebbly river bed. She sank gracefully
into his arms, proving a considerable
burden-Weightier in fact, than he
had anticipated He was somewhat
staggered; it seemed that he embraced
countless yards of rufies and things
ballasted with Cat a shrewd guess1
lead He swayed.
Then, recovering his equilibrium, he
incautiously glanced into her eyes. And
lost it again, completely.
Il was mistaken" he told himself;
daylight viii but enhance"
She held herself considerably still,
perhaps wondering why he made no
move Perhaps otherwise; there is
reason to believe that she may have
suspected-being a woman
At length: rs there anything l
can do she inquired meekly, ito
make it easier for you?"
I'm afraid" he replied, attitude
apologize, that must ask you to put
your arm around my ne-my shout
ders. 1t would be more natural"
ooh"
The monosyllable was heavy with
meaning-with any one of a dozen
meanings, in truth Maitland debated
The most obvious. Did she conceive
he had insinuated that it was his habit
to ferry armfuls of attractive feminini-
ty over rocky fords by the light of q
midnight moon?
No matter. While he thought it
out, she was consentng. Presently a
slender arm was passed round his
neck. Having awaited only that, he
began to wade cautiously shorewards.
the distance lessened perceptibly. but
he contemplated the decreasing inter
val without joy, for all that she was
OF an appreciable weight. For all bur
dens there are compensations.
Unconsciously, inevitably, her head
sank toward his shoulder; he was
aware of her breath, fragrant and
warm, upon his cheek. He
stopped abruptly, cold chills running
UP and down his back; he gritted his
teeth; ne shuddered perceptibly-
what is the matter2v she de-
manded. deeply concerned, bat at
pains not to stir.
Maitland made strange noise with
his tongue behind clenched teeth.
~Urrrrgh,1 he said distinctly
She lifted her head, startled; relief
followed, intense and instantaneous.
I'm sorry, he muttered, humbly,
face afiame, but you tickled.
.Tm-so-sorryi" she gasped, vio-
lentIy agitated And laughed low,
almost a silent, little laugh. as with
def fingers she tucked away the er-
rant lock Of hair.
ASH Maitland told himself, fierce
ly. striding forward.
In another moment they were on dry
land. me girl suppeu from HIS diNis
and faced him. eyes dancing, cheeks
crimson, lips a tense, quivering, scar
let line. He met this with a rueful
smile.
Bue-thank you-but, she gasped,
explosiyely, sit was so funny"
Wounded dignity melted before her
laughter. For tine. ti.ere in the
moonlight. under the seoTnful regard
OF the disabled motor cars twin head
lights. these two rocked and shrieked.
while the silent night flung back dis
dainful echoes of their mad laughter.
Perhaps the insane incongruity Of
their performance first became ap-
parent to the girl; she, at all events,
was the first to control herself Matt
land subsidized. rumbling. while she