The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-05-12
CHAPTER TX. (contInued.)

Betty had been making tea for Aunt
Selma, and of course when she heard
us up there, she followed, tray and all,
and we drank Aunt Selina's tea and
had the first really nice time of the
day Bella had come up. too. but she
was still standof1sh and queer, and
she stood leaning against chimney
and staring out over the river. After
a little Mr.. HARRISON put down his cup
and went over to her, and they talked
quite confidentially for long time. I
thought 1t bad taste in Bella, under
the circumstances, after snubbing Dal-
las and Max, and of course treating
Jim like the dirt under her feet, to
turn right around and be lovely to
Mr.. HARRISON. 1t was hard for Jim.
Max came and sat beside me, and
Flanagan, who had been sent down
for more cups, passed tea, putting the
tray on top of the chimney Jim was
sitting grumpily on the roof, with his
feet folded under him, playing Garfield
IN the shadow of the parapet, buying
the deck out Of one pocket and putting
watching Bella, too, and she knew 1t,
and she strained a point to captivate
MIR. HARRISON Any one could see that.
And that was the picture that came
out In the next mornings papers, tea
cups, cards and all. For when some
one looked up, thexe were four news
paper photogra pliers on the roof Of the
next house, and they had the imperti-
nence to thank us!
Flanagan had seen Bella by that
time, but as he still didn't understand
the situation, things were just the
same. But his manner to me puzzled
me; whenever he came near me he
winked prodigiously. and during all
the search he kept one eye on me,
and seemed to be amused about some
thing
When the rest had gone down to
dress for dinner, which was being sent
in, thank goodness, l still sat on the
parapet and watched the darkening
river. 1 felt terribly lonely, all at
once, and sad. There wasn't any one
any nearer than father, in the West,
or mother in Bermuda, who really
cared a rap whether l sat on that par
apet all night or not, or who would
be sorry If l leaped to the dirty bricks
of the next door-yard-not that l
meant to, of course.
The lights came out across the
yiver, and made purple and yellow
streaks on the water, and one of the
motor-boats came painting back to the
yacht club, coughing and gasping as If
it had overdone. Down on the street
automobiles were starting and stop
ping, cabs rolling, doors slamming, all
the maddening, delightful hustle of
people who are foot-free to dine out,
to dance, to go to the theater, to do
any of the thousand possibilities of a
long February evening. And above
them sat on the roof and cried. Yes,
cried.
was reused by some one coughing
lust behind me, and I tried to straight
en- my face before l turned. 1t was
Flanagan, his double row of brass
buttons cleaning in the twilight
Excuse me, MISS" he said affably,
but the boy from the hotel has left
the dinner on the doorstep and run.
the cowardly little divil. What'll l do
with it? l went to Mrs. Wilson. but
she says It's no concern of hers" F'lan-
nigan was evidently bewildered.
You'd better keep it warm, Elan
nigan," replied. You needn't wait;
I'm coming" But he did not go.
Tiff you'll excuse me. MISS" he
said don't you think ye'd better tell
them?"
Tell them what?"
THE whole thing-the joke" he
said confidentially, coming closer.
ITS been great sport, now. hasn't 1t?
But I'm afraid they will get on to it
soon, and-some of them might not be
agreeable A pearl necklace is pearl
necklace. miss, and the lady's wild
What do you mean" l gasped.
You don't think-why, Flannigan-'
He merely grinned at me and thrust
his hand down in his pocket. When
| he brought it up he had Bella's brace
let on his palm, glittering in the faint
light.
Where did you get it?" Between
relief and the absurdity of the thing,
was almost hysterical. But Flanni-
gan did not give me the bracelet; in-
stead, 1t struck me his tone was sud
denly severe,