The Washington times., 1912-08-05


don me! II never knew that
: cultured Englishmen ever
dropped their his. AS 1t happens you
know, 1 never saw one excited before
this" ,. r..
"Ah, yes, to he sure-to be sure"
murmured Winthrope, in an odd tone.
The girl threw out her hand in a
little gesture of protest.
Really, I'm sorry to have hurt-to
have been so thoughtless"
Winthrope stood silent. She spoke
again: 'I'H do what you ask. I'll make
allowances for your-for your feel
ings toward me. and will try to for
geet all you said the other day. Let
me begin by asking a favor of you"
"Ah, Miss Genevieve, anything. to
be sure, that I may do!'
1T is that 1 wish your opinion. When
Mr.. Blake finished that absurd door last
evening he would not tell me why he
had built it-only a vague statement
about my safety
'Ah-he did not go into particulars?"
drawled Winthrope.
NO. not even a hint; and he looked
so-odd."
Winthrope slowly rubbed his soft
hands one upon the other.
do you-er-really desire to know his
the motive which-ah-actuated him?"
he murmured.
II should not have mentioned it to
You II did not" she answered.
"Well-er-" He hesitated, and then
paused for a full minute. You see, 1t
Is rather a difficult undertaking to init
mate such matter to a lady-just the
right touch of deIicacy, you know. But
I will begin by explaining that I have
known it since the first-',
"Of that bound-of-er-Mr Blake's
trouble?"
'"Trouble?''
fiiction-yes, that Is the better word.
To own the truth. the fellow has some
good qualities. 1t was no doubt because
he, realized. when in his better mo-
ments-'
Better moments? Mr. Winthrope. I
am not child. In Justice both to my
self and to Mr.. Blake, must ask you
to speak out plainly"
IL you have not observed how strangely,
at times, the fellow acts-'looks odd, as
you put it?-how he falls into melan-
cholia. or senseless RACES? ] may truth
fully say that he has three times
threatened my life"
IL thought his anger quite natural,
after I had so rudely-and so many peo-
pie are given to brooding- But If he
was violent to you-
"My dear Miss Genevieve, hold moth.
ing against the miserable fellow. AT
such times Ire is not-er-responsinle'
you know. You now see why pro-
vided you with the knife and the BAN
boo stakes: and-let us give the fellow
full .credit-that is why he, himself
built your door,
"Oh, but I can't believe it! can't
believe g." cried the girl. IT'S not pos
sble! He's SO strong-so true and man.
ly!-so kind. for all his gruffnessr
that is the pity of it. But when man
must needs he his worst enemY--Wher
he must needs lead a certain kind oil
life, he must take the consequences Tc
put II as delicately as possible, yet ex'
plain all. I need only say one word
paranoia."
Miss Leslie gathered up her days out
At with trembling fingers and went tc
After few minutes. winthrope walk
ed quickly through the cleft after hel
and climbed the tree-ladder with ar
agility that would have amazed his com
panions. But he did not draw himself
I'M on the cliff. Having satisfied him
self that Miss Leslie was well out to
ward the signal, he returned to IN,
Blake's door with minute scrutiny;
That evening, shortly before dark
Blake came in almost exhausted by hi
days trip. 1t had been one continuous
round OF grass-jungle, thorn-scrub
rocks and swamp.
And for all his pains he brought bacl
with him nothing more than the dis
country was worse than the shore. Ye
he betrayed no trace of depression owe
the bad news, and, for all his fatigue
maintained a tone OF hearty cheerful
ness until, having eaten his fill. he sud
6enly observed Miss Leslie's rigid 20
liteness.
whats up now" he demanded
You're not mad cause cause d. ! hiked off thi
mo Of course not. Mr.. Blake. Moth
ing Of the kind. But L
"welI. what?" he broke in as she hesi
tated. "I can't for the world think o
you've done! Perhaps I might sug
gest that 1t is a, Question OF what yo
haven't done" The girl was trem
bling on the verge OF mysteries YES
what you've not done! All these week!
are not q single attempt to get u
away from here, except that miserable
signal and I as good as put that uI
You ean yourself man man! Rpt Liza La
Winthrope looked from her to Blak
with a sidelong glance. his lips draw
un in an odd twist.
tense silence; then Blake mumbled apo
ogetically: "Well, I suppose miGf
have done more. I was so dead anxior
to,maEe sure OF food and shelter. B'
"Mr.-Mr. Blake, pray do not get e>
cited-I;,I mean please, excuse m
you're coming down sick"' he sal,
mo, no! I have no fever"
"Then It's the sun. Yet YOU ought
keep up there where the air is freshes
I'll make YOU a shade
She protested. and withdrew SOM
what hurriedly TO her tree.
In the morning Blake was gone agail
but instead Of a note. beside the iii
stood the smaller antelope skin. col