The Monte Vista journal., 1910-01-08

Safe? But am not secure with
Look here. Miss Leslie; I'm not 60
ing to say anything about anybody"
Perhaps you 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 II I'm not a Prom
Use me straight. you'll lock up tight
every night"
Very well. promise" responded
the girl. not little troubled by the
strangeness Of his expression.
That night Miss Leslie dutifully
fastened herself in with all six bars
She Weakened at dawn, and fastened
out to prepare Bakes breakfast, but
she found herself too late. There
were evidences that he had eaten and
gone of before dawn. The stretching
frame OF one Of the antelope skins
had been moved around by the fire.
and on the smooth inner surface OF
the hide was laconic note. written
with charcoal In a firm. bold hand:
Exploring inland Back by night.
II can"
She bit her lip in her disappoint.
ment, for she had planned to show him
how much she appreciated his absurd
but well-meant concern for her safety.
AS 1t was, he had gone of without
word and left her to the questionable
pleasure Of q tete-a-tete with Win.
thrope. Hoping to avoid this, she hur-
ried her preparations for day on the
clif. But before she could get on.
Winthrope sauntered up, hiding his
yawns behind hand which had re-
gained most Of its normal pumpness.
His eye was at once caught by the
charcoal note.
"Ah!" he drawled; really now. this
is too kind Of him 10 give us the pleas
ure OF his absence all day"
"ie-es?" murmured Miss Leslie.
Permit me to add that you will also
have the pleasure of my absence. l
am going now"
Winthrope looked down. and began
to speak very rapidly: Miss Gen
evieve. IL wish to apologize. I've
thought 1t over. I've made a mistake
IL mean. my conduct the other day
was vile. utterly vile! Permit me to
appeal to your constituencies for a
man who has been unfortunate-who.
l mean. has been-er-was carried
away by his feelings. Your favoring
OF that bloom-er-that-er-
SO angered me that THAT L"
MIR. Winthrope!" interrupted the
girl. Il will have YOU to understand
that you do not advance yourself in
my esteem by such references to Mr.
Blake"
Aye! 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 love-"
Miss Leslie burst into a nervous
laugh; but checked herself on the In.
slant.
Really. Mr.. Winthrope." she ex.
claimed. you must pardon me. IL
never knew that cultured Englishmen
ever dropped their his. As 1t happens,
you know. never saw one excited be-
fore this"
'Ah. yes: TO be sure-to be sure!"
murmured Winthrope. In an odd tone
The girl threw out her hand In lit.
tie gesture OF protest.
Really. I'm sorry to have hurt--to
have been SO thoughtless!"
WINTHROP stood silent. She spoke
again. I'm do what you ask. III
make allowances for your-for you,
feelings towards me and try to forget
all you said the other day. Let me
begin by asking = favor OF you"
"Ah. Miss Genevieve. anything. to be
sure. that may do"
1T is that wish your opinion. When
Mr.. Blake finished that absurd door
last evening. he would not tell me why
he had built it-only q vague state.
ment about my safety"
"Ah! He did not 10 into particu.
lars7" drawlcd Winthrope.
NO. not even . hint: and he looked
so-odd"
Winthropc slowly rubbed his soft
palms one upon the other.
DO you-cr-really desire TO know
his-thc motive which actuated him -
ale murmurcd.
Il should not have mentioned It to
you II did not" she answered.
"Troublc?"
Weber" He hesitatcd and
paused for full minute. You see.
It Is Il rather dinicult undertaking to
intimate such u matter to lady
Just the right touch Of dclicacy. you
know. But will begin by explaining
that have known Il since the first
Known WHAT"
OF that bound-oe-cr-Blak 4
trouble"
All! Pcrhaps I should have said