The evening world., 1911-12-28

overspreadlng his face. 81
reckon We wasn't rehearsln'
@ any scene." he said. trying to
make tho words come easily. II was
just telln' your sister that
Miss Radford laughed bantcringiy.
You have spoiled a chapter IN my
book. Ben he declared with pre-
tended annoyance; mir. IAvlatt had
Just finished proposing to me and was
at the point where he was supposed to
speak bitter words about his rival"
She laughed again. gazing at Levlatt
with hooking eyes.
"Of course. ! shall never he able 20
tell my readers what no might have
said. for YOU appeared Mt n most In
opportune time. But he has taught
me "A great deal-much more, In fact.
than ! ever expected from him"
She bowed mockingly.
II am very. very much obllge to
you, Mr.. Ievlatt." she said. placing
brond emphasis upon her words. II
promise to try and make a very inter-
esting character OF you-thcre were
times when you were most dramatic"
She bowed to Levlatt and flashed a
dazzling smile at her brother Then
she walked past Levlatt. picked her
way dalntlly over the loose stones on
the hillside. and descended to the level
where she had tethered her pony. Ben
stood grinnlng admlrlngly after her
as she mounted and rode out into the
Hat. Then no turned to Leviatt soberly
contemplating him.
II don't think you were rehears!ng
for the book he said quietly. an UNI
dercurrent OF humor In his voice.
"She was funnin' me-" returned Lee
Watt. his face rcddenlng.
II reckon she was" returned Ben dry
ly. she's certainly some clever NJ
handing It to a man" lie smiled down
into the fiat. whore Miss ftadford could
still he seen. riding toward he cabin
Looks as though she wasn't quite ready
TO change her name to 'Lcviatt.'
But there was no humor In Levtatts
reflections. lie stood for "A moment.
looking down into the flat. the express
sion Of his face morose and sullen.
Bcn's banterlng words only added fuel
20 the flame OF rage and disappointment
that was burning flercely In his heart.
Presently the hard lines OF his lips dis
appeared and he smiled craftily.
She's about ready TO change her
name he said. "Only she amt fig
germ that It's Eoin' to be Leviatt'
You're guessing now returned Ben
sharply.
Leviatt laughed oddly. 81 reckon I
ain't dom any guessln'," he returned.
You've been around her n heap an
been seein' her c~ons.d'able. but you
Amt been uslu' your eyes
Meaning what" demanded Ben, an
acld-l!ke GOODNESS In his voice.
"Meanln' tina II you'd been usln' your
eyes you'd have seen that she's some
took up with Stafford's new stray
man."
We'll" returned Rem, she's her "
hess. II she's made friends with Fer
guson that's her business" He laughed.
she's certainly clever" he added.
'and mebbe she's got her own notion
as 10 why she's mad friends with him.
She's told me that she's goin' to make
him a character IN the book she's writ
ing. Likely she's strlnging him"
II reckon she amt strlngln' him." de-
clared Leyiatt, "a girl amt doin' much
strlngln' when she's holdin' "A mans
hand an blushin' when somebody
ketches her at It."
There was "A slight sneer In Leviatt's
voice which drew a sharp glance from
clouded and he was about TO make
sharp reply. But his face cleared mn
medlately and he smiled.
I'm banking on her being able =
take care OF herself he returned
Her holding Ferguson's hand prove
nothing. Likely she was trying to re
an imp ession-she's always telling m
that. But she's running her own gam
and II she Is strins!ng Ferguson that
o her business. and II she thinks a goo
y bit OF hin that's her business. too.
man Amt Jealous. he might b %