The San Francisco call., 1910-03-20

picked up the suit cases They were heavy, as the
Virginian had discovered
Il shall have to apologize for having taken up your
time, Mr.. Carteret," she said in the same icy tone
she had used at first 'If you happen to recall it. you
might inform Mrs. Demaar that l arrived according
to her request Good morning" And she started
away down the drive, head and preserving what
dignity of manner she could with two cumbersome
bags hamperng her stride. He stared stupidity after
her for moment then stepped quickly in pursuit
"But really, Miss Stuyver, can't allow this if you
will pardon the liberty Where do you intend to go?
Il going to the station she answered slowly
and distantly.
"The stationt' Why, it's all of four miles,
Il will not require any further information, Mr..
Carteret''
Perplexed disappointed and conscious of the ludi-
failure of his plans he followed her in silence
the lodge gates. There he halted her.
THE LIGHT DAWNS
Gust wait moment until get motor" AS he
started across the lawn she called to him:
Don't get it on my account, Mr.. Carteret. shall
not it." He turned back
This is simply folly Miss Stuyver Let me send
you some kind of conveyance if my presence is
disasteul One of the chauffeurs will take you over
if you determined go.
Thank you | shall not accept motor anything
else That is all, l think
He held her with hand upon her arm as she
started again Il really can allow it, Miss Stuy-
YER"
DO you presume to detain me, Mr. Carterets' she
said scornully- But he that there
arguing; saw, too, means by which he might yet in
some measure pursue his course. Without answering
he possessed himself of the suit She did not
resist, but fash of surprise crossed her face Il
not"-she began
"Allons, march, he cried gayly, and strobe off
along the dusty road toward the village. She hesi-
tate hot
ued interference then fell in step beside him, chin UP
and careful expression of cold indifference upon her
face.
They walked mile without exchanging word
Singing clouds of dust driven before the fresh
tumn breeze, crcled and swept about them. The Vir
glnian's strength began to flag under the dragging
weight of the bags. He stopped and set them down,
rubbing his chafed palms together with smile Just
little out of training, guess" he said cheerfully
Il must take up my sculling again. He noted with
relief that the deliberate hardness OF her mouth had
gone. There was just tinge of sympathy in her
voice as she glanced at his scored and Redeemed
hands
3If you had let me do as I wished you would be
comfortable at this moment
"And how about you?"
She shrugged her shoulders Suppose you let me
go At least carry them for few min
utes, she added he shook his head. He had been
study all persons, women most of all 1t the fact
that he could win and charm most OF them if he had
leisure and opportunity that had led him to form his
little plot. Something in her glance, in her manner,
gave him here the ntuitive touch of understanding,
the key that he had missed up to now.
AS they walked on he began very gradually to
hibt the faintest limp AT first it was scarcely per-
ceptibe, though he felt her eyes upon him from time
to time. When they had covered another quarter of
mile it pronounced. She halted suddenly
and pace farther he turned in surprise. His face
was drawn and the look of it startled her
You suffering, she cried mpulsively. He pro-
duced an obviously forced smile.
oh, mol My hands are little raw, that's all.
But you are lame.
Lame? Absurd Miss Stuyveri Come, let's push
on. You'll miss that noon train if we don't hurry"
The warning silenced her and they resumed the
march For some distance he bore himself carefully
walking with precision. Then at intervals the limp
reasserted itself He thinking rapidly They
had covered more than half the distance He had
proved to his satisfaction that he had struck the
right track with Maude Stuyver. An exclamation
from his companion brought them to another halt.
THE FALL OF CARTERET
"Mr Carteret, this is really far enough l can not
permit you to make martyr of yourself. Yca
in pain
the train. That's enough for The train it is Ny
own affairs do not enter into the problem. We are
wasting time He trudged again, making no eff
fort to~concea the limp. Once, gancing furtivey
toward her, he read pity and indecsion her face
They came to sharp bend in the road.
There is short cut here Miss Stuyver.' he said
The road turns below and leads the bridge By
proceeding through this clump of woods can cross
the stream stepping stones and get to the road
again. Its quarter of mile saved"
He. led the way without further comment and
Maude followed meeky. She beginning to read
Just her opinion of this handsome young man. who
IT,