Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-28
CHAPTER X-Continued.

II don't mean to be, hateful she said.
turning back. and her manner became
suddenly adorable. Il don't feel so bit,
you know"
Both eyes sparkled as she lifted them
for a fraction of a second to mine, and
a smile curled the corners of her scarlet
lips.
1T was a kindness, too. for you to help
me ashore that time she conceded.
"Of course it was" I retorted. and |
added wickedly: Particularly to your
parents. who probably do not realize how
many risks YOU take"
The girl laughed but she also flushed.
II understand of course" j continued.
that you fancy that yon can swim but
| have had no proof of il. ana | still in
sist that IL is not safe for children to go
too near the big pond alone
You are highly impertinent man."
And with your permission you are an
exceedingly charming, if uncomplimen-
tary yOung-child.
The blood swept in a flame over the
girls features. and she swished her rid
ing whip sharply across the heads of
clover at her feet. Then. the fash Of
temper spent. she laughed aloud and
came toward me with outstretched hama.
Lets shake and make up. she sug-
gested. Il know that you are only teas
ing me, and ! won't stay angry. But.
really, you are shockingly ill-mannered
toto speak to me in that way Why.
thing, If you really believe me to be a
child, whereas I have the advantage of
being quite well acquainted with you
Mr. Elmer Bliss
to know my name? Second thought
showed me that the fact was not remark
able. Doubtless by now every one in
Winton knew the name of the new ten
ant of Overlook: and she had first seen
me at the Overlook pier (unless she re-
m m -
which l doubtedl, later in an Overlook
rowboat. and at present with horse
owned by the farmer of Overlook. What
more natural than her conclusions?
/ raised my hat and bowed low before
her.
Even so. Mile. Dupin'' said. Your
humble servant. Elmer Bliss. late of New
York living at Overlook. very preoccu-
pied-on the way to the beach-very-
Heroic" supplemented the girl with
an amused laugh. But my wide knowl-
edge Of you does not end even with the
facts that you have enumerated. while
you know SO little OF me that even my
name Is a mystery"
1T is Dolly" / responded, promptly.
"Ah Here is man with the wisdom
of Solomon" Knocked the girl, still
amused. as she slipped the telltale locket
into her pocket. Has it not occurred to
you that the name on the locket may be
that of friend? Possibly, though. Mr..
Bliss Is not aware that it Is custom
with girls to exchange pieces of jewelry
for a time
II fancy they take out the photographs
i'm the lockets they loan" / answered at
random, and was wholly unprepared for
the effect that my words had upon the
girl.
Her eyes dilated and her hand few to
the hidden trinket
So she exclaimed in tones that ex-
pressed both injury and contempt, Mr..
Bliss has been playing the part of Paul
Pry. has he,"
And before | had time TO make myself
heard she had again called Mercedes to
her. had sprung from the boulder to her
saddle, and was enveloped I'm a cloud OF
dust as she galloped madly down the
road.
Well, girls are incomprehensible crea-
lures. Men who assert that they are not
have more conceit than knowledge. This
girl was no exception.
l was sufficiently puzzled to be certain
of only one thing-that l was guiltless OF
any intention TO distress her, and l should
make no further efforts to become &C
Quainted with Miss Dolly Undine.
With which resolve l mounted my horse
and rode slowly back to Overlook.