The Comrade. (Winnfield, La.) 1890-1914, 1910-12-09

lHtSltolCu Ill uel llltlll llt NGo III A11l-
ry, at whom he had looked keenly.
But Harry's nervousness had left
him, now that Purdie was within his
reach. He returned the glance indif-
ferently He stood close to the major
his hand on his shoulder. The ma
jor, with his bland blue eyes twin
king from Clara to Flora, seemed the
only man ready to devote himself to
the service Of the ladies.
"And what's the news from the
'front.'" said Clara gayly. Kerr gave
gave her a rapid glance; but the ma
jor blinked as if the allusion had got
by him.
Il mean the mystery-the Chat
worth ring" she explained.
NO news whatever, my dear Mrs.
Britton.'
She smiled. Were all rather in
terested in the mystery. Flora has
made dozen romances about it."
"Oh, yes, yes,' said the major indul-
gently. 1T will do for young ladies
to make romances about It'll be a
two days wonder, and then you'll sud-
denly find out it's something very
tame indeed"
"Why, have they fixed the suspic-
ion?' said Clara.
There was a restless movement
from Kerr.
"No, no, nothing of that sort" said
the major quickly.
Harry passed his hand through his
arm. May I see you for five min
utes, major?"
The excellent major looked har-
assed
| Suppose we all step up to the
| house." he suggested. "Why, you're
| not going, man." he objected, for
| Kerr had fallen back step, and, with
| lifted hat and balanced cane, was sig
mailing his farewells.
| do let us go up to the house." said
| Clara. And Mrs. Purdie, won't yor
drive up with me? Flora wants tt
walk"
Flora stood up. She had confused
ut impression that she had expressed NJ
such desire, and that there was room
e. for three in the landau; but the men
It, tai shove that Clara had administered
he gave her an impetus that carried he,
ce out of the carriage before she realized
or what she was about.
Harry was already moving off VI
to- the board walk with the major. TIL
la carriage was turning. Kerr locke
er at the backs of the two women bein
dy driven away, and then at Flora. 'Ver
good" he said, raising her parasol
es you are the deposed heir, and l al
i'm your faithful servant"
he "But indeed l do want to walk" sh
on protested, a little shy at the way h
be read her case.
is But you didn't think of it until sh
lily gave you the suggestion, eh" b
he quizzed.
ery Her cheeks were hot behind he
thin veil. They were strolling slowl
aid up the board walk, and for mome1
tch she could not look at him. She coul
md only listen to the flutter of the fringe
:. of the parasol carried above her hea
to She felt herself small and stupid. ST
II could not understand what he cou
hit, see in her to come back to. Then ST
red gave side glance at him., She sa
an unsmiling profile. The lines in h
he. face were indeed extraordinary, b
IRA. none was hard. She liked that wo
md derful mobility that had survived Il
ard gatherings of experience.
the AS if he were conscious Of her eye
lst. he looked down and smiled; b
mic vaguely He did not speak; and 81
was aware that it was at her appes
vas ance he had smiled, as if that on
!, of reached him through his preoccuI
ina. ton and pleased him.
any But what was he thinking about
oud seriously between those smili
cid, glances? Not her problem, she "
thy, sure.
They had almost reached the n
Pur- jor's gate, and it was now or never
pa. find out what he thought of her. S
looked up at him suddenly, with
on quiring eyes.
|elo- do you think I am weak" she
ubt- manded.
cog. The lines of his face broke up il
he laughter. "No," he said, II think
her are misplaced"
| to She knitted her brows in perplex1
see but his hand was on the white pic
her gate, and she had to walk through
r to ahead of him as he set it open
Iced her.
Of their party only the two won
ife's we're in sight waiting on the dimi
rned tive veranda. Clara had mild
mo. nestle appearance, rocking there
the hind the potted geraniums. All
7lora windows were open into the Ii
after shell of a house. Trunks still st
little. in the hall, though the Purdies
! to- been quartered at the Presidio
UNI. nine months.
In this easy atmosphere, how
atch. it that the thread Of restraint ran
,b;o1 | oharnlv dnfinnd2 Clara and Mrs