The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-03-23

'AAAN
1T isn't SO very remarkable, when
you come to consider It," she returned
soberly. Mr.. David Amber Is rather
well known, even in his own country.
l might very we'll have seen your pho
tograph published IN connection with
some review of-let me see. . . :.
Your latest book was entitled The
Peoples of the Hindu Kush,' wasn't
It? You see, | haven't read it,"
That's sensible Of you, I'm ire
Why should you? But your
theory doesn't hold water, because I
won't permit my publishers to print
my picture. aud, besides, reviews OF
such stupid books generally appear
in profound monthlies which abhor IL
lustrations."
OH" She received this with q
note of disappointment. Then my ex-
PLANTATION won't do?"
Tn scrry," he laughed, 'ibut you'll
have to be more ingenious-and prac-
teal"
And you wort show me the pres
ent the babu made your"
He closed his fingers jealousy over
the bronze box. Not until :"
you insist on reciprocity"
Absolutely"
That's very unkind OF you"
How" he demanded blankly.
You will have 1t that I must sur
render my only advantage-my in
cognito. If tell you how | happen to
know who you are. I must tell you
who am. Immediately you will lose
interest in me, because I'm really not
at all advanced; doubt II | should
understand your book II | had to read
It."
which heaven forfend! But why"
he insisted meroilessly, do you wish
me to be interested in your"
She flushed becomingly at this and
acknowledged the touch with a %rueful,
smiling glance. But, Because I'm
interested in you" she admitted open
ly.
And why?"
Are you hardened to such adven-
tures?" She nodded In the direction
the babu had taken. Are you &C
customed to being treated with ex-
t~raordinary respect by stray Bengalis
and accepting tokens from them? Is
romance commonplace to your"
"Oh," he said. disappointed, "If It's
only the adventure! OF course,
that's easily enough explained. This
half witted mammoth-don't ask me
how he came to be here-thought he
recognized in me some one he had
known in India. Let's have a look at
this token-thing."
He disclosed the bronze box and let
her take it in her pretty fingers.
1T must have n secret spring" she
concluded, after q careful inspection.
Il think so, but ="
She shook it, holding it by her ear.
There's something inside-it rattles
ever so slightly. / w%onder!"
"No mor than l."
And what are you going to dc with
~" She returned 1t reluctantly.
why, there's nothing to do but
keep it till the owner turns up, that !
can see"
You won't break II open?"
Not until curiosity overpowers
me and I've exhausted every artifce.
trying to find the catch"
"Are you a patient person, Mr.. Am
ber2"
mot extraordinarily so. Miss Far
rell."
ooh, how did you guess?"
by remembering not to be stupid.
You are Miss Sophia Farrell, daughter
of Colonel Farrell of the British dip
lomatic service in India" He
chuckled oheerfully over his triumph
of deductiye reasoning. you are Wis
ting the Quains for q few days, while
en- route for India with some friends
whose name I've forgotten"
THE Rolands." she prompted in
voluntarily.
Thank you. The Rolands,
who are stopping in New York. You've
lived several Years with your father
In India, went back to London to
come out and are returning, having
been presented at the court Of st
James. Your mother was an Ameri
car girl, a schoolmate of Mrs
Quain's. I'm afraid that's the whole
sum Of my knowledge Of you"
You've turned the tables fairly
Mr.. Amber" she admitted. And
Mr.. Quain wrote you all that?"
I'm afraid he told me almost az
much about o. as he told o about
me; we're old friends, you know. And
now l come to think of It, Quain
has one of the few photographs OF me
extant. So my chain of ~reasoning's
complete. And | think we'd better
hurry on to Tanglewood."
Indeed, yes Mrs. Quain will be
wild with worry II that animal fnds
his way back to the stable without
me-; I've been very thoughtless."
How much longer shall you stay
at Tanglewood, Miss Farrell?"
ITO De contiuuedp