The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-06-16

one OF the matters you suggested"
"Oh, of counsel Nothing could be
easier than to tell me an untruthi"
This certainly looked like the fem
mime retort-triumphant, and Margaret
delivered Il in a cutting tone.
THAT is precisely what you seem to
imply that did," Logotheu objected.
But II what I told you was untrue
your argument goes to pieces. There
was no Tartar lesson. there was no
Tartar teacher. and 1t was all a fabri-
cation OF my owni"
"Just what think" returned Mar
garet. 1T was not Tartar you spoke.
and there was no teacher'"
You have me there" answered the
Greek mildly. unless you would like
me to produce my young friend and
talk to him before you In the presence
Of witnesses who know his language"
Il wish you would would like to
see HIM / should like to see tho
color OF his eyes and hair!"
BLACK as INK" said Logotheti
And you'll tell me that his com
plexion is black. too. no doubt" /
mot at all; a sort of creamy COM
plexion. ! think. though did not pay
much attention TO his skin. He Is a
smallish chap. good-looking. with
hands and feet like woman's. I
noticed that AS I told you. G doubt
occurred to me at once. aud I will not
positively swear that II is not a girl
after all. He. or she. is really a Tar
tar from central Asia. and I know
enough of the language to say what
was necessary"
Necessary"
Yes. He--or she--came on a mat
ter OF business. What said about a
teacher was mere nonsense. Now you
know the whole thing"
Excepting what the business was"
Margaret said incredulously.
The business was an uncut stone"
answered Logotheti with Indifference.
He had one TO sell. and bought Il.
He was recommended TO me by a man
In Constantinople. lie came to Mar
seilles on a French steamer with two
Greek merchants who were coming to
Paris. and they brought him to my
door. That is the whole story. And
here Is the ruby. bought II for you.
because you like those things. VIII
you take IT."
He held out what looked like n little
ball OF white tissue paper. but Marga-
ret turned her face from him.
You treat me like q child" she
said.
To her own great surprise and indlg.
nation, her voice was unsteady and
she felt something burning In her
eyes. She was almost frightened at
the thought that she might be going
to cry. out Of sheer modification.
Logotheu said nothing for mo-
ment He began to unroll the paper
from the precious stone. but changed
his mind. wrapped II DIP again, and
put II back into his watch pocket be-
fore he spoke.
Il did not mean II as you think" he
said softly.
She turned her eyes without moving
her head. TIL abe could lust see that
he was leaning forward, resting his
wrists on his knees. bending his head
and apparently looking down nj his
loosely hanging hands. His attitude
expressed detection and dIsappoint.
ment- She was glad OF II. He had no
right to think that he could make her
as angry as she still was. angry even
to tears. and then bride her 10 smile
again when he was tired of teasing
her. Her eyes turned away again. and
she did not answer him.
Il make mistakes sometimes" he
said. speaking still lower. 81 know I
do. When I am with you cannot be-
always thinking OF what say. ia
too much to ask. when a man Is as far
gone as I ami"
Il should like TO believe thar Mar.
garet said. without looking at him.
is II hard to believer" he asked so
gently that she only just heard the
words.
You don't make II easy, you know"
said she with little defiance. for she
felt that che was going to yield before
long.
Il don't know how to. You're NOT
In the least capricious-and yet"
You're mistaken" Margaret An.
swered. turning to him suddenly. I'm
the most capricious woman In the
world Yesterday wrote a long let.
ter to friend. and then suddenly
tore II up-there were ever so manv
pages ! daresay that II had writ.
ten Just the same letter this morning
| should have sent II. II that IA NOT
caprice. what is it?"
1t may have been wisdom 10 tear
II up Logotheti suggested
tTo BE coNTINUED)