The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-04-07

Why didn't you thank him instead
of bowling so coldly?" whispered the
aunt a moment later.
Because my role Is to be one O.
naughty indifference. That man needs
only the slightest encouragement to
| try TO flirt with me-"
II seemed as IL Providence was with
the soldier that day. while fate was
| against him. As they left the train,
Edith dropped her bag and he picked
II up. As the two ladies' entered a
cab, the horse took fright and would
have bolted II the captain had not
sprung for his head. Aunt Susan tried
TO humble her thanks, but the girl
drew herself up stifiy and gave the
cold glare.
He will certainly think you have
no breeding" protested the aunt as
they were driving down town.
He will simply realize that I am a
girl who cannot be tempted into an
elopement," was the cutting rejoinder
Captain Turner had not been seek.
ing an opportunity. He was no such
man as shat. Events had come along
naturally. and he hadn't expected any
ELUSIVE thanks, but he was nettled a
bit by the naughty Indifference shown
by the young lady. Two days later,
while he was going over to Jayville in
an auto he had hired for the season
and was running himself. he came
upon scene by the roadside. Edith
and her aunt were out In the judges
auto. which the girl had managed on
fifty previous occasions, and all was
going well when a wheel dropped into
hole, and the two were thrown out.
The passengers had Just picked them
selves up and ascertained that they
had suffered only brulse or two,
when the soldier came whizzing I'D.
OF course, he stopped and offered his
aid. The aunt looked to Edith, but
Edith turned her shoulder and NUT
tered something about walking home
and sending the chauffeur after the
machine. Then Aunt Susan had to
say: If you would only be so kind.
sir" and the captain. with the help
of two farmers who came along. right
| cd the auto and found that II could
be run home under it's own power
| Aunt Susan was profuse In her
thanks, but Miss Edith only slightly
| bowed her Acknowledgements.
Il thought you had some manners
| about you" exclaimed the chaperon
| as they were homeward bound After
| all his trouble. the gentleman de
served something more than the Icy
bow you gave him"
"Auntie. when you have seen as
much of the world as I have" sagely
replied the nineteen year-old girl.
you will know how to read men bet.
ter. That gentleman simply wants to
! fllrt with me. and | shall not encour.
age him in the slightest"
The red spots on the aunt's cheeks
enlarged and became more vivid, and
her teeth made a grating noise, but
what could she do about It? She had
/ laid down the law and must abide by
it. OF course, the captain discovered
the identity of the proud and naughty
girl. He was bound to do that When
a gentleman has been repeatedly
snubbed by a odlooking young lady
he is Just as anxious to learn the
name of the snubbess as he would be
If he was In love. lie got into the
habit ~ going to the depot every day.
II the ladies' took the train, he took
1t also. II they did not appear, he re-
turned home. lie also rode out In his
auto. and when he did not meet them,
he returned home with the feeling
that he was an ill-used man. Even
when he iourneyed up town In the
same car with them. Aunt Susan sim
ply bobbed her head in doubtful recog.
milton, while Edith looked straight
past him or over his head. When two
weeks had gone by. the captain went
OF to golf club for the day. and did
not leave for home in his auto until
nine o'clock. II heightened his jour
ney by four miles to come by way OF
Judge Eldridge's manor.
lie was approaching the house when
he was hailed by a man at the road.
side and few words passed between
them. The man was told to come on.
but he continued his way. The cap
tain and the auto turned in at the
lodge and made for the front door.
and the machine had not yet come to
halt when the soldier was bounding
up the steps and tiinging open the
front door. In the sitting room, to
the left Of the hall. sat two women,
tied to their chairs, and In the dining
room beyond three men were packing
up the household silver and pausing
now and then to sip OF the judges
best. There was Just a moment Of
hesitation. and then the soldier ap-
peared before the trio. He had a re-
yolyer in his hand. but he used IL
only as a club. He struck right and
left. and he struck hard. The fellows
went topping over before they could
understand what had broken loose.
Then the women were united, the
cords used TO bind the others. and
when all was finished the soldier IN
quired II he could be OF any help.
Aunt Susan coughed and gulped and