The Falls City tribune., 1909-03-19

and drew back, watching him with
sidelong chances.
What's the natter he demanded.
Think I'm going TO bite your
She shrank farther away, and did
not answer. He stared at her, his
eyes hard and bright. Suddenly he
burst into a harsh laugh and strobe
away towards the cliff, savagely
kicking aside the birds that came in
his path.
When, an hour later, the girl crept
back along the cleft TO the baobab
she saw him hard at work building
"A little hut several yards down to-
wards the barricade. The moment
she perceived what he was about her
bearing became less guarded, and she
took up her own work with a spirit
and energy which she had not shown
since the adventure with the puff
adder.
At her call 10 the noon meal Blake
took his time TO respond. and when
he at last came TO Join her he was
morose and taciturn. She met him
with a smile and eXerted all her Wom-
anly tact to conciliate him.
You must help me eat the egg,
she said. I've boiled it hard
Rather eat beef he mumbled.
But just to please me-when I've
cooked it your way?7
He uttered an iuarticulate sound
which she chose to interpret as as
sent. The egg was already shelled.
She cut it exactly in half and served
one of the pieces 10 him with a bit OF
warm far and a pinch Of salt. As he
took the dish he raised his sullen
eyes to her face. She met his gaze
with a look of smiling insistence.
Come now" she said; please don't
refuse. I'm sorry I was o rude
We'll, if you feel that way about
it!-not that | care for fancy dishes"
he responded, grufiy.
1T would be missing half the en-
joyment to eat such a delicacy with
cut some one to share it she said.
Blake looked away without answer.
But she could see that his face was
beginning to clear. Greatly encour-
aged, she chatted away as though they
were seated at her fathers dinner
table and he was an elderly friend
from the business world whom it was
her duty to entertain.
For a while Blake betrayed little in
terest, combining himself to monosyl-
tables except when he commented on
the care with which she had cooked
the various dishes. When she least
expected. he looked up at her, his lips
parted in a broad smile. She stopped
short, for she had been describing her
first social triumphs and his untimely
levity embarrassed her,
Don't get mad, Miss Jenny" he
said. his eyes twinlkling. you don't
know how funny it seems to sit here
and listen TO you talking about those
things. It's like serving up ice cream
and onions in the same dish"
I'm sure. Mr.. Blake
Beats a burlesQue all hollow-Mrs.
Sint-Regis-Waldoff's c%hop-sooey tea
and young Mrs. Vandam-Jones' auto
cotillon-with us sitting here like
troglodytes. chewing snake-poisoned
antelope, and you in that kundry
dress
DO you-I was not aware that you
knew about music"
Don't know a note. But give me
"A chance to hear good music and I'm
there if have to stand in the peanut
gallery"
oh, I'm so glad I'm very, very
fond of music! Have you been to
Bayreuth?'
where's that?"
In Germany. It is where his
operas are given as staged by Wagner
himself. 1t is indescribably grand
and inspiring-aboye all, the Par
sifal!"
"Ill most certainly take that in,
even il have to cut short my en-
gagement in this gee-lorious cline
not but what, when it comes to leopard
ladies' He paused and surveyed her
with frank admiration.
The blood leaped into her face.
oh" she gasped, Il never dreamed
that ever such a mar as you would
compare me with-with a creature
like that"
such a man as me-" repeated
Blake, staring. What do you mean?
l know I'm not much of a ladies' man;
but to be yanked up like this when a
fellow Use trying to pay a compliment
well, it's not just what you'd call
pleasant
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Blake. l
misunderstood. I
That's all right, Miss Jenny! !
don't ask any lady to beg my pardon.
The only thing is ] don't see why you
should fare out at me that way"
For a fun minute she sat, with
down-bent head, her face clouded with
doubt n INDIGESTION. At last she
brayely raised her eyes to meet his.
DO you wonder that I am not quite
MYSELF" she asked. You should re.
member that I have always had the
utmost comforts of life and have been
cared for Don't you see how ter