El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-20

nard. Although he had ridden his horse
up to the steps, the pair on the porch
had been too much absorbed to hear
the animals hoofbeats on the soft
roadbed.
Il am sorry to disturb this romantic
scene" he said with elaborate cOur-
tesy- 4 came back for my riding
gloves. I should not have returned il
1 had known that I was unwiIlingiy to
play the part of spectator. I fear that
my dull masculine mind cannot keen
pace with the rapid change of feminine
aIaynard's InsoIence.
His tone made Keith Lacy redden. but
his words drove the color from the
Z WOman's cheeks.
Il do not think that your gloves are
l here, Mr. Maynard" she said coldly.
Pardon me, Mrs. Minor" MAYNARD
said, but they are lying on the floor
I directly behind you Probably YOU
have been too-busy since I left to OBJ
serve them"
Beatrice's face flushed once more as
she bent-fOrestaling Lacy's move to
do SO-and picked up the gauntlets
which lay almost at her feet Maynard
/ bowed deeply, with faint exaggera-
uon or MS usual cOurtly grace, as he
took the gloves from the widows hand.
Il thank you very much" he said, his
eyes searching here. I am very sorry
to have disturbed you, but I will rem
edy my mistake at once by going away
now and leaving you and your cOmpan-
, ion in a solitude a deux. A pleasant
morning to you both" At the head
Of the steps he paused and spoke again,
a sarcastic. smile playing about his
handsome lips.
IF I might advise" he suggested
politely, Il would suggest a less ex-
posed spot than this for such a scene
as Just interrupted 1t may be pleas
ant for the paSserby on the road below
to see a bit of romantic drama-and
yet some spectators might be cynical
The covert sneer set the Westerner's
blood on fire and, with an exclama-
ton Of anger, he sprang forward and
struck Maynard full in the face.
Beatrice uttered Mortified protest, and
closed her eyes for an instant. When
she opened them again Maynard had
grasped Lacy's wrists, pinioning the
young mans arms to his sides. Even in
that moment of fear the woman noted
with a thrill Of irrepressible admiration
how Maynard lowered above the slight
figure Of the fellow that looked like a
mere youth compared with the man
who clUtched him firmly. Lacy was red
and painting; Maynard was calm and
pale, save for a red blOtch on one cheek.
When the older man spoke his voice
was firm and calm
Beatrice SVTOOns.
My friend" he said, quietly, "if you
were only a little younger, 1 would
take you across my knee and thrash
you Oh, could do it 1 assure you,
he said grimly as Keith struggled and
tried to speak. "Seei" as with a sudden
wrench he lifted the smaller man bod
lily, and gave him one vengeful shake.
q am rather more than a match for
youi" He let go Of the breathless west
erner, and busted his hands off lightly
with his gloves, as if they had been
slightly soiled by handling some in
feriOr animal. You understand. now,
I hope, why I did not break you in two
when you struck me"
He walked down the steps. The NOR
titled and disconnected man standing |
lust where the athlete had deposited |
him, looked piteOusly at the trembling |
who leaned for support against I
a pillar Of the veranda-
Il beg your pardon" he stammered. 4
for what happened just now. I had /
no business TO strike him in your pres
ance, and +"
But he got no further, for the widow
5Wayed weakly. For a moment il
seemed to her that the floor was NOV
mig in sickeninE waves beneath her.
Then, with a little moan, she sank at
he mans feet in a dead faint.