Evening star., 1912-07-13

Your pardon" between breaths, and re-
moved his hat with sudden, graceful
gesture.
Cynthia's confusion. however, was
greater than any he betrayed. For a mo-
ment she was assailed by wholly un-
reasonable sense Of modification, as II
she had been caught doing something un-
worthy Of her-something almost as con-
temptible as eavesdropping. This was.
in part, due to his questioning attitude;
she realized at once, of course, that he
had come back for the card and was sur
prised to find 1t in her possession. She
flushed sensitively, thereby rendering
herself rather more pretty than usual.
uncalled-for apology. rendered him the
card.
'This is yours?" she said. II happened
to see 1t here on the floor :"
He took 1t with little bow Of thanks
that reminded her of the minor cour-
tesies she was accustomed to expect Of
men abroad rather than of the nervous
and self-conscious civility OF the average
American man Of affairs.
THANK you." he said. Il missed 1t
just minute ago and hurried back.
I'm greatly obliged-wouldn't have lost
that for a good DEAL"
She heard herself say MOI" with the
inquiring infection; and caught her
breath with surprise that she should
have forgotten herself SO far. 1t wasn't
like her to offer encouragement to young
men unknown to her-or vice versa, for
that matter; whereas her monosyllabic
reply had been distinctly an invitation to
him to explain, II he wished, why he
valued the card so highly. An explana
tion would involve some acknowledgment
on her part, and that would prolOng the
passage sufficiently to provoke his In
terest.
She was surprised at herself with a
surprise that was nothing lessened by
her subsequent conduct; something which
remained inexplicable to her long after
the incident might well have been for
gotten. The real explanation OF her ac-
ceptance of the situation. not only at that
moment, but as 1t developed, probably
resided in the young mans manner.
which was perfection. She was even
then discovering that his smile, viewed
insidious, and could be. when he chose.
positively charming with it's suggestion
Of humor, Difference and some little re-
serve. all colored by a suggestion Of ad-
main totally Indifferent And he chose
that 1t should convey a great deal when
1t accompanied his prompt response.
1T means a lot to me-" he said, with
an engaging hint Of candor; you see.
struck q bit Of luck today and this''-in-
dicating the card-"is the token thereof"
you've found something to DOR she
said; and the query came as tmpulsively,
as naturally, as had It's predecessor. II
am glad" she added, feeling that since
might venture step farther without loss
of dignity. Momentarily she was gain
ing confidence in him, that he was not
the sort to impose upon her generosity.
YES" he said. gravity shadowing his
smile, while his glance clung to her.
keenly inquisitive Yes, I seem to have
stumbled on something think can do.
It's promising. anyway. and I'm going to
have q try at 1t.
Cynthia repeated q shade vaguely. be-
ginning to remember that she must find
am glad - ."
He was quick to divine her thought,
and at once stood aside. leaving the door
way clear; but at the same time he pur-
sued the subject with question that had
guess-?'
why. the card, Of course" she said.
with smile that shyly extenuateed her
presumption oo+sd Of oocupa a,rsd
him go over and speak to you. Appar-
entity he doesn't wait in his den for
clients; he goes boldly forth and hunts
them down and forces his inventions
1T does look like that" admitted the
other.
Somehow 1t seemed quite natural that
he should follow her out and down to
the sidewalk But at the foot OF the
steps he hesitated, took q couple Of steps
by her side. then paused.
Would 1t annoy you." he said. ito
have me walk with you as far as 9Th
avenueif you go that way? It didn't
occur to me, at nrst that might seem
You see, having seen
you SO often at Suzannes ." He
broke of with short. embarrassed
laugh.
NO" returned Cynthia, quietly. II
quite understand
He thanked her In a curious tone. as
If He had not yet quite recovered from
the realization of his effrontery; and for
q minute or two neither spoke as they
walked soberly toward 9th avenue Then
ha said. ahruntlY: s.J beg your pardon. J