The Washington times., 1913-10-12
CHAPTER XVII.-(Continued.)
WAS puzzling over this when 1

n WAS over thlS WHICH, L Ao'
asleep agin. and 1 did not awaken
i until a maid brought a tray int
my room. She was followed by tn,
young man who, with the indian prince
had half carried me upstairs the nigh
before.
My name is Harvey Nesbitt." he
said. extending his hand. Awful!
sorry we bothered you so much las
night. but we didn't understand. DR.
Graham says after you've had you
want to. I'm to help you dress"
/ liked young Nesbitt. We talked
while devoured the lunch on the tray
and then he helped me get into a sui
of his clothes. We were of about tn,
unpresentable, save for the sling which
held my arm.
1t was a dazzling spring afternoon a.
l walked out on the broad porch wttf
him. A dozen or so young men ant
women in riding costume were there
there was a sudden hush as 1 appeared
1t was plain that I was an object OF
intense curiosity. Gradually they begar
to crowd about me until young Nesblt'
waved them away good-naturedly:
Give me a chance" he laughed
mo doubt Mr.. Mansfield wip tell US al
about 1t by and by"
He steered me- around a corner ol
the porch to a shaded place where
saw Mary sitting with the young laaS
sweet-faced woman whom ! guessed te
be Major Nesbitt's wife. I was intro,
duced to my hostess, who. after a 1e"
minutes, Withdrew and left US alone:
There was something very demure
about Mary as I seated nIs myseI cbnsss asa'
Both of us, I think, had a feeling o.
constraint. Two or three minutes o'
silence ensued.
wen. Mary" 1. said at length, study
ing her serious face.
"Well-what?"
She began to laugh in an embarrassed
i've seem to have a breathing spell,
I wound up lamely.
Isn't it lovely here? wish we cou''
WHY not? They seem to want us.
T think both of us, could stand a nttie
rest
But I shall have to go back.
Back to where?'
She shrugged her shoulders.
Il don't know that I'm III any hui
to go back" I said.
She looked at me inquiringly.
you see, I've committed larceny ~
both Washington and Baltimore e4,
planned. "It may be healthier to stay
away for a while" ..
I'm sorry" she murmured. I've
made you a lot of trouble, haven't l.
DAM
We've been some trouble to each
other / admitted. searching her eyes
until she colored again. Il think wev
become responsible for eoch other' III
a way"
"ResponsibIe?'
Yes You began it. which makes YOU
responsible. I refused to quit, which
makes me responsible. And, DO you
know. 7 rather like the resonsibintyl
She locked at me for an Instant and
then directed her gaze out across the
great lawn.
They all seemed to think we're en-.
sagec,'' I added irrelevently.
Mary made TO answer.
And why can't we be engaged? ]
She gave me a swift look of astonish.
ment. then buried her face in her
Don't. Don't" she exclaimed, shrink
ing from me.
Il know that we haven't known each
other very long." / said, leaning for
ward. Its scarcely forty-eight hours.
But I know this-that love you, Mary:
please" her voice was agitated.
But why shouldn't tell you? Just
because Of short acquaintance? That's
a reason that counts little with me-"
cant you sse?" she cried, raising
her eyes to mine Don't you under
stand? Have you forgotten the-the-
girl
/ laughed quietly. while she stared at
me in amazement
THAT was ended yesterday morning.
1 said. 1T seems as II il never had ex-
listed. Now that it's all over. I can't
understand how IL ever happened. !
loved you before 1t was over
1T is ended?'' she repeated slowly.
Absolutely. She even gave me back
the ring.
The ring?"
And gave it to a little eirl on the
street who said ber name was not
Fanny" 7 added.
l think that for a minute she thought
I was liShtheaded she seemed unable
to speak. At last she ventured:
Was it because of what happened
at the White House,
That was the cause, Mary. Wasn't