The Cairo bulletin., 1912-03-25
think OF beforc-oh, ever at all, dash

lHe toe SlOppeu. l COulu IGel n6r
looking at me Eidewise, but | did not
glance up, that | remember; was
looking down. trying to get hold of a
dashed idea | wanted to express.
Don't KNOW | continued, boring
away at her toe, yet hardly seeing it,
but suppose that's the reason | knew
all the time she was lying; but still,
somehow that doesn't seem to be the
real reason | knew. | think the real
reason knew ii couldn't be and
wasn't true was"--I sighed heavily
"oh, dash it, it's SO hard to get hold
of the jolly thing!"
And there was pause.
THE real reason?" her voice coaxed
gently.
WAS because" Then she moved
the toe and it put me QUIT think
Just because-oh, yes. know now!'
And | looked up eagerly. Just be-
cause knew that you-are you'll" |
finished beamingly.
"Oh, see," She said 1t musingly,
her finger lightly pressing upon her
lips, her beautiful eyes studying me
with the oldest, keenest side-glance.
A pause; and then; And how long
have you known me, pray? Just "a"
IA thousand years!" l said prompt
ly and earnestly. "A thousand years
and all my life, don't you know!
Never will know you any better"
Il wonder" she murmured, nodding
slowly. And then for a moment she
didn't say word, just sat there look
ing me over curiously, her expression
half shy, half quizzical, don't you
know.
Then her smile flashed again--a ra.
diant, dazzling brightness that brought
her nearer, like the effect of the sun
lights sudden CLEAN there at times
upon the blue line of the West
Shore" away across the broad, three.
mile span of the old Tappan Zee
And now"-again her splendid
young arms were clasped, wing like,
behind her head; and its golden glory
hung like a picture against the dark
vine leaves, bossed with the clustered
purple tiowers-"now," she repeated,
settling comfortably, "you must Just
go on and tell me the rest--I can bear
It'll What did my"--her big blue eyes
twinkled as she smiled-"my father
say about me?"
shifted uncomfortably. "Oh,
can't, you know!" l demurred. Il say
what's the use, dash it," Poor old
boy, somehow | just hated to round
on him-he was so jolly hard hit al
ready; Jack, don't you know! Be
sides
I Pleased" Jove, how she said It.!
"Oh. dash it, I'm afraid 1t will hurt
you," | protested uneasily; land
don't think the judge really"
81 just don't care that"--a SNAP
from her little fingers and her arm
went back-"for anything he ever
said about me that was mean! So
please go OIL must go dress for
luncheon"
And so just took deep breath, q
long running leap. and cleared the
bar--told her all, you know!
Oddly, this time she didn't laugh
and | knew why: IL was her father
and it had cut her to the heart. This
was what had feared. AS | proceed
ed, narrating the interview in the Ii.
brary, she Just grew roster and roster
red, but sat looking at me wide-eyed
and unflinching. The pulsation Of her
bosom quickened little, but her dear
face remained unchanged, save fol-
her little trick Of dragging her under
lip through her white teeth.
"And, by Jove, that's ALL" finished
with relief as mopped my face. But
who cares, don't you know, or believes
any bit of it? Anyhow, we don't
for we know"
"Are you sure?" She spoke grave
Iy, yet in her eyes We're the dancing
star.motes Of a laugh. THE extrava
gance, the gambling, and the-oh, al
of 1t? must tell you | heard some
sad things myself about Francis Bin
ings while | was at Cambridge"
| grunted scornfully. II know: from
the two-faced cat, Miss kirkland! Say
how | wish, by Jove, that woman
would pack up and go back to China
the sponge!" And | screwed my glas
, Indignantly.
"Oh, now" she demonstrated sweet
: ly, you mustn't say that. You Nigh
be sorry" She smiled archly.
| grunted contemptuously
Again she rested her little chin u,
=, on her hand, eying me thoughtfully
earnestly.
And so you dent believe any {
, it,"
I chuckled at the idea. "Oh, | SO
, now, Frances, YOU know don't!" An
showed bit nearer. looking int
her eyes. But just then saw Wilke
: come out and look around.
Ito be C6ntinued.)