Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-03

WIFI lne uHpTOnOunCeaDle name. nau no
idea that friendship could be such a martyr
dom, she sighed. Il think really deserve
something after this
He found that he was smiling in spite of
himself. you do, I'm sure" he said after a
pause; "but | don't bear you any grudgc
| expected too much of you, | guess. I've
forgotten that long ago. I'm glad to see
you.
Really she drawled. "You convey just
the opposite idea. You ought to be glad,
you know. I've never been so tired in my
life. That train Oh, Jeff, whatever pos
sessed you to live in such an outlandish
place."
This is where belong If Mesa City is
outlandish then I'm outlandish too
Love me, love my dog" she laughed.
I'D have to love you lot. Perhaps it will
improve on acquaintance She crossed her
feet and settled more comfortably in her
chair, while Jeff watched her shrewdly.
"You can't mean you want to stay here?'
he asked
a don't know: that depends on you. I've
told YOU the sentimental side of nv Journey
Actually I'm practical young female, with
a prudent eye for an investment, and. when
her companion smiled, "Are you laughing be
cause you think I'm not practical or because
YOU think I'm not prudento'
I'D hardly call you either. In fact,
don't know what to think. You don't seem
to belong, somehow.
why not' Once you said l spoke out
like Mesa City
"But you don't look like Mesa City,
Horrors pressing her hair. Il hope
not"
Jeff leaned back in his chair with folded
arms and examined her. his eyes narrowing
critically. She had given two explanations
of her presence, neither of which in itself
seemed sufficient. The real explanation, he
was forced to admit, lay in the presence itself.
She bore his scrutiny calmly, examining him
with frank interest.
"What is it you don't understand" she
asked him, answering the question in his
eyes with another, "me? Oh. you II have to
give it up. There isn't any answer
thought I'd like to see you, and so | came
Toid!"
L don't know what you can expect here.
The accommodations at the hotel
ooh, can stand anything now, after your
trains"
you'll be bored to DEATH
"I'm always bored to DEATH but then this
place may have the charm of boring me in
an entirely new way. After all, she sighed,
Il might as well be bored here as at home"
WRAY got up without speaking and
walked to the window that overlooked
the plains. He stood here moment, his
hands behind his back. the look of perplexity
deepening on his face. Somehow, Rita
Cheyne didn't seem accessory to the rather
grim background Of his thoughts For days
he had been acting leading part in what
now promised to be a tragedy Rita be-
longed to satirical comedy. or at best to
polite melodrama. Something of this she
suddenly read in his attitude, wondering
why she had not discerned it before She
got up and went over to him.
"What is it, Jeff You're changed some
how out here. You seem older, bigger,
browner, more thoughtful
This is where work, Rita" he said, with
a slow smile "In New York we Westerners
only play. | am older-yes, more thought
full too. I've had a good deal to worry me.
"Yes, know think Cortland Bent has
been behaving very badly"
Jeff made quick gesture of protest Il
didn't mean that he said abruptly. "My
worries are business worries
ooh. | intruded."
eyes, you did; but I'm glad of it now.
I'm going to nell about as fast as man can;
but | might as well do it comfortably"
what do you mean?' she asked in alarm.
"4our relatives, the Bents. They've got
me in corner
L