The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-05-17
hat exhausted our powers of express

forced to draw the line. Her cAresses
In my own direction had not, up to
that moment, been SO lavish that felt
l could spare any OF them. even for
this young Englishman. notwithstand-
ing my abundant appreciation Of the
inestimable service he had rendered.
and that was precisely what I told her.
when on the flrst evening out. She had
demanded to know my reasons for re-
fusal.
You're . very selfish man" she re-
torted. with a pout. And I'm not at
all sure. now. that I shall ever kiss
you again. Besides-" And there she
stopped.
We had reached the after end Of the
deck In our post-dinner promenade.
and had paused there, leaning on the
rail-. to watch the phosphorescent
gleam and glitter among the turbulent
white wake-waters. Cameron and DR..
Addison were talking over their cigars
in steamer chairs amidships. and the
girl and were alone together for the
first time since her uncte's restoration.
"Besides?" I repeated. Questioningly.
The big blue eyes she turned to mo
were never more roguish.
Besides" she said, low-voiced and
with just perceptible culver. until
you keep your promise. don't see
that you have any right to dictate to
me-"
I knew very well what she meant
Ever since Cameron had come running
backward around that deck-house cor
ner-I think even at the minute
recognized his naked. smut-covered
shoulders-I had had that promise in
mind. and had longed for the moment
OF its fulhlment. But till now not
even the briefest opportunity had
offered. Nevertheless. her present
mood was too entirely winsomely low
able to be neglected. and the impulse
to prolong 1t by teasing too strong for
resistance.
Keep my promise?" queried, min
Cling with~assumed perplexity a Ger
tain suggestion Of injury. Have I
ever failed you in anything"
She turned away now, silently, and
the eclipse Of the eyes loved left me
suddenly repentant: still persisted.
Have l ever failed your" asked
again.
Quickly her gaze came back, and her
eyes had taken something Of the cold,
swapping fire Of the phosphorus.
"Since you don't remember" she
said, its Of no consequence Only you
were SO sure that you couldn't for
get"
Give me a hint" begged, still
cruel. when did l promise?"
II couldn't be 30 unmaidenly." was
her retort. looking away again.
WAS 1t before we came over here,
or since"
Before" after a pause.
Long before?"
"Not very"
Where? At your house?"
yes"
"In the library" asked, with a
glance behind for possible intruders.
She turned quickly and found me
laughing
"Oh. you dear, silly. lovable. delight
full child!" I cried. and the echo Of
my words was carried far astern, as
my arms went about her and held her
close. and my kisses fell thick and
fast on her ripe, tender little mouth.
What need had I to keep such a
promise?" asked. when in mercy I
paused that she might get her breath.
Why should ask you to tell me that
you loved me, when could read 1t in
letters as long as your glances and as
bright as your smile?"
And II we left Cameron and DR.. Ad-
olson much alone together during our
homeward voyage, who that still re-
members their own happy days Of
young love dreaming can blame us?
For long while there remained in
my mind as legacy from the strange
case Of Cameron and the Sable Lorcha
conspiracy seemingly insoluble prob
lem. On our return to America, my
friend, in spite OF all my urging, re-
fused. with stubborn persistency, It
seemed to me, to aid In the prosecu-
ton Of those who. we knew positive
ly. were implicated in the affair. Con-
cerning Murphy. Yup Sing and
score or more Of their satellites we
could have produced evidence Of the
most damaging character. But Gamer
on was not SO minded. He even went
so far as to discourage my appear
ance against the former for completely
in the plot to take captive Evelyn and
myself on the night of our Pell street
visit. Indeed I have always believed
that through O'Hara he was instru-
mental in securing Murphy's release
And I know for a fact that he pro-
vided so generously for the young
French driver of the electric brough-
am, who was SO badly injured in that
Pell street adventure, that the fellow
returned to France month before the
trial of his assailant.
All these things. say. continued
to puzzle and disquiet me, long after
the sharp edges Of rancorous remem-
brance had been worn away. And in
variably at such times there would re-