The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-11-30

oHe Wdlheu luplulyb III Her eACltt-
ment, turning the troubling question
over In her mind. She did not realize
how far she had gone until some girl
she knew, passing and nodding to her,
called her out of her reverie. She
was almost In front of the University
club. A few blocks more and she
would be in the shopping district. She
hesitated, then decided that 1t would
be better to walk little further and
take cross-town car.
A group of men was leaving the
club. Two fingered on the steps, the
other coming quickly out At sight of
him, she averted her face, and, hurry
Ing, turned the corner and walked
down block. Her heart was beating
rapidly. What If he had seen her!
She looked about-there was no cab
in sight-the best thing to do was to
slip into one of the crowded shops,
full of women. and wait until the dan
ger had passed Once inside the
door of the nearest, she felt herself,
with relief, only one of horde of
pricers, lockers and buyers. She felt
as If she had lost her identity. She
went to the nearest counter and asked
for wells. Partly concealed behind
the bulk of the woman next her, she
kept her eye on the door. She saw
Kerr come in How absurd to think
that she could escape him! She turned
her back and waited a moment or
| ttpn ettI hn In,-
by. Then she heard his voice be-
hind her:
well, this is luck!"
She was conscious of giving him a
limp hand He sat down on the vacant
stool next her, laughing.
"You are a most remarkably fast
walker" he observed.
81 had to buy VEIL" Flora muir
mured
HAS it taken you all the morn.
ing?"
She could see she had not fooled
him
81 had great many other things
to do" She was resolved not to ad-
nit anything.
"No doubt, but I wanted to see you
very much last night and again this
morning, | may see you this even
ing, perhaps?" He was grave now.
She saw that he awaited her answer
in anxiety.
But" she hestated just mo-
ment too long before she added, I'm
going out this evening"
She started nervously to rise.
Wait" he said in voice that was
audible to the shop-girl, your pack
age has not come"
She looked at him helplessly, so at
tractive and so inimical to her. He
swung around, back to the counter,
and lowered his voice. "Did you know
called upon you yesterday morning,
also?' he asked.
She nodded.
"Mr. Cressy and / waited for you to-
gether. Did he mention it to you?"
mo" Her lips let the word out
slowly.
That's a reticent friend Of yours!'
The exclamation, and the truth of it,
put her on her guard.
81 can't discuss him with you" she
said coldly.
"Yet no doubt you have discussed
me with him."
"Never!"
"You haven't told him anything?"
The incredulity, the amazement Of his
face put before her, for the first time,
how extraordinary her conduct must
SEEM What could he think of her?
What construction would he put upon
it? She blushed, neck to forehead.
and her voice was scarcely audible as
she answered mo"
But at that small word his whole mood
warmed to her. "Why. them" he be-
gan eagerly, "if Cressy doesn't
know"
"Oh, but he" Flora stopped in ter
ror of herself. 81 can't talk Of him,
must not. Don't ask mel" she i'm
plored, "and please, please don't come
to my house again!"
He gave his head a puzzled, i'm
patient shake. Then where am to
see you?"
'1n few days-perhaps tomorrow
I will let you know" She rose. She
had her package now. She was get
ting back her courage. There was no
further way of keeping her.
But he followed her closely through
the crowd to the door. "Yes," he said
quickly under his breath, "in a few
days, perhaps tomorrow, as soon as
you get rid of it, you won't mind meet
ing me-! What are you afraid of?
Surely not of me?"
She was, but hotly denied It,
"I am not afraid Of you. / am
afraid of them!"
"Of them!" He peered at her.
what are you talking about now?"
All, she had said too much! She
bit her lip. They had reached the
corner, and the gliding cable car was
approaching. She turned to him with
last appeal.
Don't ask me anything! Don't
come with me! Don't follow mel"
Not until she was safely inside the