Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-12
CHAPTER iii

NANNA IN hAAa
Helen Ohlstrom was not disappointed
Maxwell not only paid his dinner call, but
he called once or twice aftCrward and he
made himself particularly agreeable to all
the members OF the family. Helen felt
as she had never felt with any other man,
that this Englishman understood her that
he sympathized with her and she caught
herself telling him things that she had
never spoken Of to any other person in the
world not even to her old school girl
friend, Madge, who had shared so many OF
her condolences especially about men
Maxwell had known Helen for several
weeks, and their acquaintance had ad-
vanced far enough for her TO go out for
walk with him occasionally. when one Sun
day afternoon she asked him IL he would
not like 70 go on an Exploring expedition
TO Coney Island Finding him quite Will
ing, she went TO get her hat and furs. AS
they left her home she informed him that
winter was the best time to see Coney.
At Coney Island Maxwell did not care to
look at the tawdry plaster fronts Of the
buildings. although he admitted that they
might be very pretty when they were all
III up. The business part Of the island is
not attractive in winter, and the girl and
her companion made their way along the
sand toward Brighton and Manhattan, in
tending to cross the OLD wooden bridge at
Sheepshead Bay and to ride home from
there.
IL was a lovely day one of those clear
cold days that give to the American fall
the most attractive climate in the world
while It lasts There were many persons
upon the beach and along the roads, al
though the closely nailed up hotels were
pictures Of desolation where, only a few
weeks before, ali had been music, and
flowers. and dining out of doors. The
board walks, parts of which had been re-
moved I'm preparation for the onslaught Of
the waves from the winter storms. were
not inviting for pedestrians, but all was
we'll in the world so far as the girl and
the young Engshman were concerned
Many eyes watched them admiringly as
they strobe rapidly along Once fairly out
upon the sands, beyond where the Brighton
hotel has been dragged back 600 feet to
save It from the sea, the winds from the
ocean seemed to affect the girl with some-
thing Of their own free and careless spirit,
and she laughed with a childish abandon
ment to the pleasure OF the moment.
Isn't this a delightful payday" she eX.
claimed. taking a deep, fun breath.
Are you enjoying it, even with such a
dun playfellow?" Maxwell incurred, sud
denly realizing that he had been preoc-
cupied by his own thoughts that he had
said very little.
Yes ! am having very good time
she answered But now that think OF
It, l ought to be quite on my dignity be-
cause you find so little to say to me-"
lie did not reply for a moment. lie
looked at her intenuy and the smile he
gave her, accompanied by a slight closing
Of the eyes, and a loosening OF the lips
might mean anything. Somehow IL checked
her buoyancy until he spoke
II supposed" ne said that we had be
come the sort Of friends that understand
each other without the formality of speech
which conceals so much more than 1t re
veals, after ALL"
Helen shook her head, smiling the while
"Of course YOU can read my thoughts
for / am about as transparent and shallow
as the edge Of wave, but ! confess
cannot understand you Many times wheI
j think ] am beginning TO know YOU 4
seems as II you shut the door Of your rea
sclf'
Maxwell stop ed to pick up a shell, an'
both OF them stood stin for n moment
close 70 the sea He turned to her an'
said slowly and gravey:
Il have never shut the door Of my hear
to you, Miss Ohstrom."
When she heard the words, uttered witt
evident purpose, Helen trembled with tn
realization Of strange happiness. Sh
knew that she ought to rebuke this man
who was little more than an acquaintance
FOR daring 70 speak to her in such a man
ner yet she could not believe that he wa
taking advantage OF the liberty accorde
10 American girls, She tried TO summo
the same feeling Of resentment that h
No mo- af their
meeting She really meant to reprove hin
but despite a new sensation Of t'midity sh
looked into his face and what she say
there was so convincing that she could onl
drop her eyes TO hide their teli-tal
acknowledgment OF her trust in him.
A few moments later and they wer
walking on together with the cool Sc
breeze blowing IN their faces Il was nc
until half an hour later, when they wer
chatting about some trivial thing. that IN
girl suddenly became intentionally cor
scious that she had let this Englishma
assume the position Of a possible sutton.
Helen Ohlstrom had studied MaNwe
closely. She had watched the curious smi
that had attracted Maynard's attention
and IL always recalled her fathers o.,
mark. queer chap In some things" ~
realized that she knew nothing OF his bus
ness IN America or the probable duratie
of his stay. lie seemed TO have few FRIEND
I'm New York Perhaps that was the rel
reason why he devoted so much OF n
time 70 her Her reflections were sudden
interrupted by Maxwelrs saying.
Il attended dinner rather unexpected
last evening in restaurant and had rath
curious experience"
Tell me about H." Helen replied rath
absent mindedly.
Il do not exactly know how TO tell you
Maxwell began hesitaungly, but perhal
YOU viii forgive me for describing a
row. as I thought Il very amusing Y,
see 81 was MI Maynard VINO got me in
A."