The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-04-11
CHAPTER xlil.-continued.

She was taking him home then!
We'll, you've got to come in and
have some supper with me in that
case" he cried eagerly. and she told
him that she had taken him home be-
cause she knew that Mr., Ruggles
would approve.
Not much you won't" he said, and
put his hand on the speaking tube. but
she stopped him.
Don't give any orders in my motor,
Mr.. Blair You sit still where you
are"
DO you think that am such sim
pie youth that L"
Lefty Lane with a gesture Of SUI
preme ennui said to him impatiently:
"Oh. just think am pretty nearly
tired to death: don't bother me. /
want my own way"
Her voice and her gesture, her beau
ty and her Indifference, her sort OF
vague lack Of interest in him and in
everything. put the boy, full Of life as
he was. out of ease, but he ventured.
after a second:
Won't you please tell me what you
wanted me to do this afternoon?"
Why. was hard up, that's all. I
have used all my salary for two
months and couldn't pay my bill at
the Savoy.
Lord" he said fervently. why
didn't you"
Il did Like fool I sent for you
the first thing but was awfully glad
when five o'clock came you didn't turn
up. Please don't bother or speak Of 1t
again"
And burning with curiosity as to
what part Poniotowsky played In her
life. Dan sat quiet. not venturing to
put to her any more questions She
seemed so tired and SO overcome by
her own thoughts. When they had
turned down toward the hotel. how
ever. he decided that he must in honor
tell her his news
Got some news to tell you." he ex-
claimed abruptly. Want you to con
graduate me. I'm engaged to be mar
ried to the Duchess of Breakwater
OuC AdppSuo W D6 great OF
your voice.
The actress turned sharply to him
and in the dark he could see her lit.
tie. white face. The covering over her
head fell back and she exclaimed:
"Heavens!" and impulsively put her
hands out over his. DO you really
mean what you say?"
yes" He nodded supposedly
what do you look like that for?"
Lefty Lane arranged her scarf and
then drew back from him and laugh
ed
ooh, dear. dear, DEAR" she exclaim
ed, land u. and have been 4. :
She looked up at him swiftly as
though she fancied she might detect
some new quality In him which she
had not observed before. but she saw
only his clear. kind eyes. his charminf
smile and his beautiful. young ignor
ance. and said softly to him:
mo use to cry little boy. IL it.,
true! But that woman isn't half gooe
enough for you-not half, and CUES.
you think 1t funny enough to hear M,
say SO! What does the other boy from
Montana say?'
Don't know" Dan answered indif
ferently "Marconied him: didn't tel
him about 1t before he left. You Sc.
he doesn't understand England
doesn't like it."
A little dazed by the way each O
the two women took the mention O
the other. he asked tinidly:
"You don't like the Duchess O
Breakwater. them"
And she laughed again.
Goodness gracious. don't know
her; actresses don't sit around wit
duchesses." Then abruptly. her beat
tifuI eyes. under their curled darI
lashes. full ON him. she asked:
do you like herr"
You bet!" he said ardently. 20
course | do. | am crazy about her
Yet he realized. as he replied. that h
didn't have any inclination to begin t
talk about his fiancee.
They had reached the Carlton an
the door of Lefty Lanes motor wa
held open.
Better get out" he urged. "an
have something to eat"
And she. leaning a little way towar
him, laughed.
Crazy! Your engagement will b
broken off tomorrow" And she fun
Their said: IF really thought |
would. why I'd come like shot"
AS she leaned forward. her cloal
slipping from her neck. revealing he
throat above the dark collar of tn
simple dress she wore, he looked 4
her dove-gray eyes. and murmured:
"Oh. say. do come along and risk Il
I'm game. all right"
She hesitated. then babe him goo
night languidly. slipping back into ne
old attitude OF Indifference.
n em foina home to rest Goo