The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-03-29
CHAPTER XIV.


.sured that the feminine element in his
adventure had been no hallucination,
after all; for he could see the girl
standing little to one side and look
ing down upon him. her face SO deep
In shadow that he could gather moth
Ing from Its expression, whether 1t
were Of displeasure or Of perplexity.
From this and that, however, he de-
duced that she. discovering herself
lavishing endearmentA on the wrong
man. was not utterly delighted with
the situation. The circumstances TAX
en- into consideration. such state Of
mind he thought not unreasonable;
and being now to some extent recov-
cred, he saw no profit In making her
suffer more. So with show Of
faIntness not wholly assumed, he
rolled his head to one side. opening
wide his eyes and looked the woman
in the face. inquiring with his faint,
thin brogue: whats this. now, me
DEAR"
The girls face darkened She shook
her head impatiently. Il have no Eng.
lish," she told him In excellent French.
who are you? Why do you come
here? You are not Danny"
"Oho!" commented O'Rourke know
ingly, "and that's the explanation. is
IT." He sat up. embracing his knees
and drawing rueful face Faith, me
DEAR" he admitted, 81 concede We the
best OF the argument. thus far. | am
not Danny-'tis true as Gospel"
She frowned. Then what are you
doing here. monsieur? How did you
learn-who told you-the signal?"
Faith. from no less a person than
Danny Malone himself He showed
me the way and babe me Knockout
niver q word said he of yourself. me
dear"
Monsieur does not recall that ad-
mitted him?" she persisted, but with
a tightening face. nor anything that
happened thereafter"
Not the least in the world. What
did happen. now?"
But she fanked that embarrassing
question adroitly. evidently much re-
lieOd by O'Rourke's reinsurance.
Which was Just what he wished her
1ame Of mind to be. Nothing that
matters" she replied. continuing to
employ the French tongue, and that
very prettily, with fetching little ac-
cent. Il think you tainted. Then-but
vou know my Danny"
"Your Danny" said O'Rourke. his
mood Quizzical. "None better, me dear.
I've known him since he was SO high,
Or thereabouts." And he held palm
some six inches or SO above the floor.
And he-he brought you here?"
who else? How else would be
knowing the signal? Ye see. there was
bit Of a shindig down the street and
me In the middle thereof and getting
al the worst Of tiff ye must know
when along comes Danny and lends
me q hand and whips me OF here and
says he'll be back In a moment. He'll
tell 70 the details himself; but r.
kShe eyed her quixzically-"would now
ask 70 to overlook the unceremonious
manner Of me entrance and certain
lack Of dignity az to me attire. which
beg ye to believe is not me ordinary
4 evening dress. and-and faith! me
throat 10 baked entirely, II me clothes
are not. May ! ask for q drink at
mademoisel' 20 fair hands?"
He was ON his feet now and en-
3oying the situation hugely. And It's
the Irish eye for beauty Danny hast"
he told himself. II commend his taste.
the rogue!"
For the girl was exceedingly fair to
see; slender and straight and girlish
and sweet; q Greek, II he were to
Judge of her features and her dress.
and in that odd light. with perturba-
ton in her pose. smile half-perplexed
trembling on her lips (because of
O'Rourke's conceit) and the shadow of
anxiety clouding her eyes, she made q
charming picture indeed.
She was quick to grant his request.
DANNY will explain" she agreed with
conviction. This way, then. II you
please. monsieur. and"-as they passed
through a low doorway-'tf you will
have the patience to wait here, will
fetch wine."
She smiled enchantingly. dropped
him a bewitching little courtesy with
q Difference evoked. no doubt, by the
mans subtle yet ineradicable air Of
distinction. and left him wholly capt.
waited. BLESS her heart and pretty
facet" he murmured. cycling her re-
treating figure. "'Tis Danny who's
tho lucky dog not that he's
not deserving. :. :"
He reviewed his refuge summarily
discovering that he stood In one cor
ner of Q small courtyard. the center
Of hollow cube Of masonry; dwell
ing Of two stories. round whose upper
S6oor ran an inner gallery to which
steps led up from the court and from
which access was to be had to the liv
ing rooms-all dark and silent.
In the csntsr Of the courtyard Z
little fountain tinkled. . tiny Jet o.
water rising from the central upright
0f stone to spray the black. staS.smit
ten pool beneath. There was littl<
plot Of grass. likewise, with dovsrl
generous Of their cordial perfume.