The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-25


would never have opened the door! There
was 80 much more outside than In,
wasn't there? But now the role Is yours;
YOU must be Bluebeards wife-Or Robin
son crusoe Oh, you must stay on the
J island-this island with me- and not try
! TO get on There are a few little places
We can explore without danger-Will you
be satisfied with them?"
Somehow / got the spirit OF II, as at
hearing some words OF a strange Ian
guage eloquently spoken. She was warn
! ing me off-but from what? 1 would find
out soon enough should the meaning
need to be made more definite. II was
| like a game of jaekstraws; II did not
play gingeriy l should bring down the
commonplace upon US. My situation was
delieate-it almost seemed that I had ar
rived. in some way. inopportunely.
But she had gone on. did you read
my books ?" she asked. taking up one
of them.
II read that one-the poems. / got
quite lost in them
(which ones?" She looked up from the
book eagerly
"The Journey, and" hesitated.
The Riders" I was wetching her
| face earnestly.
"Oh. how right you are" She was per-
fectly simple about It. There was no
concelt In her. 1t megns, doesn't II
that we already have a language? But
you must read the essays. too. Then
maybe wen have a philosophy
I'm explore them with pleasure"
tried 10 keep the appeal out of my voice.
/ II have such a lot OF things TO do before
I 60"
| She got this quito as intended. "Well,
rrfg H.. no az
what may. as It seems 10 be all decided
for us. We won't force the game But
| I'm afraid you'll never be contented.
You'll leave the island first. I'm quite
sure"
| protested; she shook her head slowly.
knew she was thinking very hard of
something. Her smile was wistful. her
eyes. always fixed on mine. were almost
somber IN their expression.
Would you dare promised"
/ knew now there was something be-
hind all this; some fear Of my presence.
shall II" I fenced more to draw her
on than from any doubt OF her meaning
or reluctance 10 agree with her wish.
IT'S base OF me-its foolish. too, for
Il can really do no good. But. you see,
! don't quite know you. do I?'
And don't quite want top l was I'M
kind enough 20 say, but only with the
same motive as before I wanted 10 get
at the bottom OF it-hnd out what It was
she dreaded. and dared not acknowledge
that she did.
She was a little hurt and said that II
wasn't fair 10 say So that l wasn't play
ing the game. ! was properly contrite,
and. for the moment, gave up the duel.
Let IL be a promise. then" ] said.
At this. / thought she looked relieved:
and that she should be 50 at my bare
word touched me. II did not cross my
mind that, percefving my adaptlbility 10
this sort OF AFFAIR. she might perhaps
have taken an advantitious means OF
heightening the romance Of the situation
with such lnnuendo; but she seemed 10
me 10 be altogether too direct for that,
and too sapient. as well
Thank you. I may hold you TO that
promise. Does that seem ungraclOus?"
There Il was There was most def
nltely something which she did not wish
me 10 know. and which my advent
ieoparded I was truly sorry for her
now. and A little embarrassed ar my
! position. Meanwhile her eyes were
steadily questioning mine, as II 70 make
sure that I was 10 be trusted. 7 took
up her last remark 70 relieve the tensity
| OF her mood.
] Z.
/ / should as soon suspect Leahi'
/ She laughed more freely "Oh. I'm so
/ glad you appreciate her! That says more
/ for you than all the rest"
Tho rest?' 1 insisted. quite ready for
/ compliment.
! She gave Il TO me with her head a
/ little on one side, and her right eye
brow, the irregular one. whlmsically up
raised.
Yes. Your keeping it up so well. you
know"
ooh. I'll keep It up It's the chief
charm OF being here. fiat on my back. in
strange place. I'm sure II will be most
amusing
I'm not so sure I'm full OF moods
and whims-you're going TO be terribly
disappointed in me sOnetimes-thOugh
that sounds like vanity-and l may take
| advantage Of your complaisance. OF your
| promise, that is. I hope you won't regret
SO it rested, my promise not 20 be too
inquisitive for I took its meaning 10 be
| that, given and accepted. II quite
whetted my appetite, you may be sure.
If all this talk seems fine spun. 1t is my
fault IN the telling OF II, for in the
give-and-take we perfectly understood
each other. cannot, of course. give her
ueHEdle AlUcNIoHsf UUA THESE Win UeF
| looks and gestures, said as much as her
words
But II this equivocaI conversation was
vague and shadowy, she could pass into
the sunshine as deftly. She seemed TO
do so now. as she rose and went to the
open window and whistled A chorus OF
banks answered her. She turned TO me.
II must go down to my dogs" she
said. II wish you could see them-that
is. II you like collies I have five. all
horoughbreds-they'r beauties! You'll
have 10 get acquainted with them as soon
as you're able 10 go downstairs
She leaned a little out OF the window
and called. Hi! Nokomisl" drawing out
the vowels. A deep bark responded.
'Hiawathar she called next. and she
was answered by sharp, frenzied yelp-
ing. "Minnehaha" follOwed-she almost
sang the name. which was replied 10
like the others. Then Chevalier and
John O'Groat greeted her in turn.
I'm going 10 take them for their morn
ing run" she said, as she left me. 'TH
examine you on the essays when I come
back"
She went down. and soon after ] heard
her talking. evidently to Uncle Jerdon
and to King. Then the barking rose
"a "A 0ss