The San Francisco call., 1910-03-20

stepped lightly from the dusty ark. The driver one
leg thrown the side of the seat, grnned appre-
ciatvely the little tableau Miss Stuyver not
only angry but puzzled She moved toward the steps,
hesitated and searched the verandas with swapping
eyes This was Carter's chance Slipping around to
the far side of the dapidated conveyance he lifted
two suit cases from under the seat The driver,
twisting about observe him, had vision of yell
low bill held almost under his nose and energetic
hand that signaed him the way to the gate. He
grinned, winked, seized the bill and lifted the whip
from the socket Suddenly there snort, crash,
a rattle as of falling Stats, and the carriage lurched
forward.
'Who-a-ar
Miss Stuyver turned in time to see her outfit spin
around the circle of the drive in cloud of dust and
gravel with the anky liveryman tugging in apparent
helplessness at the reins and the angular animal max
ing miraculous speed The creakng, hammering, pro-
testing vehicle whired dangerously around the turn
in the road making a dramatic and effective exit.
Carter stared after the spectacle for a moment in
silence
Seems to be runaway" he remarked.
Miss Stuyver said nothing. Carter could not blame
her He could feel he had felt before, that there
times when the convention that places ban upon
certain expressions for the use of the gentler sex
comes hard. Her face had changed from pink to
white and her little mouth was firm set She glanced
again at the empty verandas, the lawn, the walks.
There in sight-nos one, that is, but R.
Pendleton Carteret The need was too great and
she turned upon him. He still smiled calmly.
Can you extend me the slightest hint to the
meaning of all this?" she asked, and her voice was
like the edge of knife cut from ice. Carter took
time to observe that he had given her credit
for being half SO handsome she
THE TELEGRAM
81 should be delighted to give you any information
in my power" he bowed, picking up the suit and
starting UP the steps
Kindly leave them here" she said. He returned
obediently DO you know where Mrs. Demaar is''
AT this moment should say she was somewhere
about six miles to the west but
"And Mr.. Demaar?'
"Yes he's along, too You see
Then there is one at Lawncrest?"
mo one but myself. What trying to say is
that there's paper chase on Ny mount lost shoe
so | returned"
Her eyes were suspicously bright and her lips
lost their determined hardness She forgot, for the
moment, that the one she addressed was R Pendleon
Carteret, who had been quietly swept into her
private little oblivion at a word from her brother
"But this is inconprehensble she broke out Il
had telegram from Carrie telling me to come on the
morning train today. Here it is
She openeda purse and drew out folded telegram,
which she handed to him.. He glanced at it. Most
extraordinary he exclaimed warmly "It says Tues
day and the morning train Some more of Carries
forgetfulness You mustn't hold it against her. Miss
Stuyver She's always doing something like this
Does that make it any less humiliatng?' When
reached the station there one to meet me.
meant to go straight back, but would have had to
wait three hours for train. So took the hack
He permitted himself the corner of smile and
regretted it Instantly She stifened again. If you
will permit me- he said, catching up the suit cases
you a roon."
Kindly leave them here she repeated. He re-
placed them the gravel and watched her uneasly.
He had not counted upon any opposition The object
of his plan had been have quiet afternoon with
her in situation which would have thrown her more
or less upon him for support But a new resolution