, 1912-12-12

ment. Don't be lonesome. I'll b,
back In a minute"
Don't hurry" she murmured apollo
getically. Then she settled back limp
liz I'm the wide couch and inspected the
room. his footsteps noisily gathering
down the long hallway to the left. She
saw, with some misgiving, that 1t was
purely a mains h%abftation. Shaw
doubtless had built and furnished the
big cottage without woman as n con
sideration. The room was large. com
Portable. solid. There was not a sug.
gestion OF femininity In thigh OF
low-except the general air of cleanli-
ness. The furniture was rough hewn
and built for use. not ornamentation.
The walls were hung with English
prints, antlers, mementoes Of the hunt
and the field of sport. The 1oor was
covered with skins and great carpet
rag rugs. The whole aspect was SO
distinctly mannish that her heart fut-
tered r~idiculously in its loneliness.
Her cogltations were running serious.
ly toward riot when he came hurriedly
down the hall and into her presence.
Shell be down presently. In fact,
30 Will the cook. and the housemaid.
Cad, Miss Drake, they were so afraid
of the storm that all of them piled
into Mrs. Ulrich's room. 1 wonder at
your courage in facing the symptoms
outdoors. Now I'll fix you a drink.
Take of your hat-be comfortable.
Cigarette? Good! Here's my side.
board. See? It's a nuisance, this hav.
ing only one arm In commission; af.
fects my style as d bafkeep. Don't
stir; I'll be able
Let me help you. I mean. please
don't go to SO much trouble. Really
l want nothing but a place to sleep to.
night. This couch win do-honestly.
And some one to caIl me at daybreak.
so TINT ] may be on my way" He
looked at her and laughed quizzicalIy.
"Oh,,s I'm in earnest, Mr.. Shaw. 1 would
not have stopped here II It hadn't been
for the storm"
Come. now. Miss Drake, you spoil
the fairy tale. You did intend to come
here. 1t was the only place for you
to go, and Pm glad Of 1t. Ny only re
greet is that the house isn't filled with
chaperons."
"whyf" she demanded with a guilty
start.
Because could then say to you the
things that are In my heart-aye, that
are almost bursting from my lips. IL
can't say them now, you know" he
said. and she understood his deficacy.
For some minutes she sat In silence.
watching him as he clumsily mixed the
drinks and put the water over the al.
cohol blHze.u Suddenly he turned to her
with something like alarm in his voice.
by George, you don't suppose they'll
pursue your"
"Oh, wouldn't that be joIly7 1t would
be like the real story book-the fairy
and the ogres and all that. But" du-
biously. "Tm sorely afraid they consid-
er me rubbish. Stll"-looking up en-
couragingiy-"my brother would try to
find me II he-if he knew that I was
gone."
To her surprise. he whistled softly
and permitted a frown Of anxiety to
creep over his face. ."I hadn't thought
Of that" he observed ref1ectively. Then
he seemed to throw of the momentary
symptoms of uneasiness, adding, with
a laugh: Il daresay nothing VIII hap
pen. The storm would put a stop to all
idea of pursuit."
Let them pursue" she said. a stub
born light In her eyes. 81 am my
mistress, Mr.. Shaw. They can't take
me, willy nilly. as If I were a child,
you know"
.....H -. .Et-. - -
That's quite true. You don't under
stand" he said slowly. his back to
her.
You mean the law? Is 1t different
from ours"
Not that. The-er-situation. You
See, they might think 1t a trifie odd II
they found you herewith me. Don't
you understands He turned to her
with a very serious expression. She
started and sat bolt upright to stare at
hm comprehensively.
You mean-it-it isn't quite-er''-
Regular PERHAPS" he supplied.
Please keep your seat. I'm not the
censor, I'm not even an opinion. Be
'e'e me, Miss Drake, my only thought
was and is for your good"
l see. They would believe evil Of
me II they knew I had come to you,'
sue missed, turning quite cold.
! know the kind Of people your sis
rer-ih'Iaw has at her place, Miss Drake.
inelr SORT can see but m motive In
anSthing. You know them, too, I dare
les. ! know them" she said uneasi-
- GooC heavens, what a fool rye
Al she added, starting to her feet.
might have known they'll say all
.'s OF terrible things. They must
nut ma me here. Mr.. Shaw, I'm-I
am so ashamed-I Wonder what Won