The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-11-05
By NINA WILCOX TINA
copyright by Bobbs-Menin Coz

locked. Where have you been?"
And then Pedro, keeping back moth.
ing but Iris attitude toward himself.
gave Leigh a full account Of the weeks
adventures. When he had done, there
was a long silence, during which Leigh
sat staring into the fire, as though
obsessed by some idea that he was un.
able to shake of. When at length he
spoke, Pedro thought that the deep
voice had never been so resonant and
sympathetic.
There's one thing | must get off my
chest before ! turn in tonight. I've
been meaning to say 1t and, indeed
have started to several times, but al.
ways forgot, somehow"
We'll, what is III" asked Pedro,
smiling. "Im old enough to hear 1t,
guess. eh?"
Leigh smiled up at him through a
cloud OF tobacco smoke. 1T is the
dream OF the very young to be old and
STEPPED in SIM" said he, "even as 1t Is
the dream Of the old to be young and
Innocent"
"A truism. not an epigram," com.
mented Pedro. But what is the SOL
emn communication"
Its about Miss vanderpool," re.
piled Leigh, his smile fading. "You
see her too often, and II won't do! Are
you not ware that she is engaged, or
as good as engaged, to the very nan
who has made 1t possible for you to
know her. Don't do 1t, boy, it's not
fair!"
How would you have me act? am
painting her"
Don't see her at other times, then"
"Eh? Not go near her? Polite,
wouldn't that bel" exclaimed Pedro.
just for the wickedness of leading
Leigh or.
"You know what I mean," said Leigh,
and he was watching Pedro very close
ly as he spoke. when. for instance,
do you expect to see her next?"
Tomorrow night at the Milligans'
masquerade" replied Pedro. "She will
be there"
Then don't go!" exclaimed Leigh.
Il hate to Gatter you, Pedro, but you
are not without attractions"
Pedro lighted q cigarette.
81 think | shall 60" he said, eying
the smoke meditatively, his handsome
head cooked to one side; his eyes half
closed, and a queer little smile playing
about his lips.
Leigh swore an oath.
Don't be a cad!" he said shortly,
rising.
Pedro grew solemn at his tone, and
yet a wicked spark fingered in the
depths Of his eyes. Going up to Leigh,
the boy placed a hand on the giants
shoulder and stood looking up at him.
81 don't know quite what that cad
you say is" he said; "but from the
way you speak Of It, | am sure 1t is not
good to be one. Yet, | am going to
that party, and simply in order to see
the Madonna lady. And In telling you
this, after what you have said about
Hill, | must beg you to believe that no
matter how often ! should see her,
there would be no ~disloyalty in 1t to
my benefactor. Such treachery as you
suggest would, in my case, be absolute.
ly impossible, for more reasons than |
can explain, IT you could possibly
guess. An affair with her is totally
impossible for me. VIII you not be-
lieve this, amigo mio?"
As he spoke his face had grown
more and more grave, and at the end
he seemed struggling to hide some
deep emotion, Very seriously and in.
tently Leigh watched his face until he
had ceased to speak.
Very well, I'll believe you" he
said finally, "but It's a tricky danger
GUS matter, and mark my words, you'll
be sorry If you run our head into her
trap; she's a charming young woman!"
"Yes!" said Pedro, And now /
must CO."
Col" cried Leigh in amazement.
I'm this storm? What nonsense, mani
Sleep here on the couch"
For reply Pedro seized his hat, a
panlcky expression blanching his face.
mo, moi" he said. 81 must go!"
"But it's nearly morning!" objected
Leigh. why the devil shouldn't you
stay?"
Pedro's fingers were on the latch.
Hat in hand, he flung back his answer.
"Because!" he replied and rushed
out, banging the door behind him.
For a long time Leigh sat looking at
the closed door, thinking hard. all the
lines In his face %springing into prom
lnence as he bent upon his subject
with special concentration.
"Because!" he repeated aloud.
What a strange answer. Because!
Why? Why? Why?" Taking a sin
gle lmpulsive step toward the door he
flung his arms out before him.
Then, like a blind mar who had
been suddenly given sight, he stag
gered across the studio and flung him.
self upon the couch.
CHAPTER XVI.