Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-27
CHAPTER XIV.

after all; for he could see the girl
standing little to one side and look.
ing down upon him, her face so deep
In shadow that he could gather moth.
ing from its expression, whether II
were Of displeasure or of perplexity.
From this and that. however he de.
duced that she, discovering herself
larishing endearments on the wrong
man. was not utterly delighted With
the situation. The circumstances TAX
en- into consideration, such state OF
mind he thought not unreasonable;
and being now to some extent recoy-
cred, he saw no profit in making her
suffer more. So with show OF
faintness not wholly assumed, he
rolled his head to one side. opening
wide his eyes and locked the woman
in the face, inquiring with his faint,
thin brogue: What's this, now, me
dear?"
The girls face darkened. She shook
her head impatiently. Il have 10 Eng
lish,' she told him in excellent French.
who are you? Why do you come
here? You are not Danny"
"Oho!" commented O'Rourke know.
ingly, land that's the explanation. is
it?" He sat up embracing his knees
and drawing rueful face. Faith, me
DEAR" he admitted, II concede ye the
best Of the argument. thus far. l am
not Danny-'tis true as Gospel
She frowned Then what are you
doing here. monsieur? How did you
learn-who told you-the signal?'
Faith, from no less a person than
Danny Malone himself. He showed
me tho way and baGe me Knockout
niver a word said he of yourself, me
dear
Monsieur does not recall that aG-
mitted him." she persisted, but with
a tightening face. nor anything that
happened thereafter"
Not the least In the world What
did happen, now"
But she fianked that embarrassing
question adroitly. evidently much re-
lieved by O'Rourkes reinsurance.
Which was Just what he wished her
frame OF mind to be. Nothing that
she replied, continuing to
employ the French tongue. and that
very prettily, with a fetching little &C.
cent. Il think you tainted. Then-but
you lnow my Danny"
Your Danny" said O'Rourke. his
mood quizzical. None better me dear.
I've known him since he was SO high.
or Whereabouts" And he held palm
some six inches or SO above the floor.
And he-he brought YOU here?"
Who else? How else would be
knowing the signal? Ye see. there was
a bit of a shindig down the street and
me in the middle thereof and getting
all the worst OF tiff We must know
when along comes Danny and lends
me hand and whips me of here and
says he'll be back in moment. He'll
tell We the details himself; but r.
ne eyed her qGizzically-"would now
ask We to overlook the uaceremonious
manner of me entrance and certain
lack OF dignity IS 10 me attire which
beg ye to believe is not me ordinary
evening dress, and--and faith. me
throat is baked entirely. il me clothes
are not. May ask for drink at
fair hands,"
He was on his feet no~ and en-
joying the situation hugely. "AEd It's
the Irish eve for beauty Danny has"
he told himself. Il commend his taste.
the rogue"
For the girl was exceedingly fair 10
see: slender and straight and girlish
and sweet; a Greek. If he were 20
judge of her features and her dress,
and in that odd light, with perturba.
ton in her pose smile half-perplexed
trembling on her lips because OF
O'Rourke's conceit and fhe shadow Of
anxiety clouding her eyes. she made
charming picture indeed.
She was quick to grant his request.
Danny will explain" she agreed with
conviction. This way. then. Ii you
please. monsieur. and"-as they passed
through low doorway-''if you will
have the patience TO wait here, Gill
fetch wine"
She smiled enchantingly, dropped
him a bewitching little courtesy with
a Difference evoked. no doubt, by the
mans subtle yet ineradicab!e air OF
distinction, and left him wholly capt-
waited. Bless her heart and pretty
facet he murmured. eyeing her re-
treating figure IT'S Danny who's
tho lucky dog s. not that he's
not deserving.
He reviewed his refuge summary,
that he stood in one cor
ner OF small courtyard, the center
of hollow cube OF masonry; a dwell
ing Of two stories. round whose upper
floor ran an inner gallery to which
steps led up from the court and from
which access was to be had to the liv.
ing rooms-all dark and silent.
In the center of the courtyard
little fountain tinkled,' a tiny jet Of
water rising from the central upright
OF stone TO spray the black. star-sml:-