The Washington times., 1913-03-01

IL brushed the sand from his face
and eyes, and as soon as his
whirling wits settled a little
realized his position and what had hap
pened.
Half buried in the debris of minia-
ture landslide, he sat at he foot of the
bluff, which rearN its convex face be-
hind and over him. Immediately above
his head ragged break in the contour
of the lodges showed where the sand,
held together solely by the roots of
beach grass. had given way beneath
the weight of the antagonists.
A little distance from him, the other
man was picking himself up, apparently
unhurt, but wholly satisfied. Without
delay, with not even as much as a
glance at Whitaker. he staggered off
for few PAGES, then settled into a
heavy. numbering trot up the beach.
This conduct was so inconsistent with
his late belligerent humor that Whit
aker felt inclined to rub his eyes a sec
end time. He had anticipated-as soon
ing less than an immediate resumption
Of hostilities. Yet there was the fellow
running away. 1nSomprehensible!
And yet, save at the first blush, not SO
incop'prehensible; the chief of the
mans desire had been urquestionably
to see without being seen: his rage al
being detected had led him to mis-
step; now he was reverting to his origi-
nal plan with as much expedition as
possible. He did not wish the woman
TO know him: therefore, he was putting
himself out of her way. For she was
approaching.
When whitaker caught sight of her
she was already close at hand. She had
been running. Now, as their glances
met. hers keenly inQuiring of Whitaker 6
still bewildered eyes, she pulled I'D ab-
ruptly and stood astare. He saw, or
fancied, something closely akin TO fright
and CONSERVATION in her look. The flush
In her cheeks gave way to swift pal
lor. The hands trembled that drew her
beach-cloak close about her. She seemed
TO make an effort 10 speak, without ef-
feet
On his part, Whitaker attempted to
rise. AT keen twlnge in his ankle. how how
ever, wrung an Involuntary Prunt from
him. and. with WY grimace he sank
back
"oh," cried the woman impulsively.
You're hurt" She advanced a pace,
solicitous and sympathetic.
"Oh. not much,'' whitaker replied in
tone more of hope than Of assurance.
He felt tenderly on the injured mem
Der. ''Only my ankle-twisted IL few
days ago. and now again. It'll be all
Her gaze travelled from him to the
edge of the bluff.
you fell"
Rather"
Il didn't see-I mean, I heard some
thing, and turned, and saw you sitting
up and the other man rising
Sorry We startled YOU" Whitaker
Inumbled, wondering how the deuce he
was going to get home. His examina-
tion of the ankle hadn't proved greatly
encouraging.
But I-ah-how did il happen"
"A mere misunderstanding he said
lightly. Il mistook the gentleman for
some one I knew. He resented it, Sc
we started to scrap like a couple OF
had been his leg instead of mine.'
But still, l hardly understand"
She was now more composed The
color had returned 10 her face. She
stood with head inclined trif!e for
ward. gaze intent beneath delicate
brows most distracting pretty, he
thought. in spite of his ankIe-which
really didn't hurt unless he moved it.
well. you see. I-am-Tm visiting
lieye. That is. II I'm not mistaken you
have the Fiske place."
She nodded
And so. this morning, IL struck me
as a fine idea to swim over here and
have a look at the beach. I-ah-you
motorboat. l mean / saw you start
out"
He felt better after that: open confes-
sion is great help when one feels
senselessly guilty. He ventured an en-
Regfng smile and noted with relief that
Il failed to terrify the young woman.
On the other hand, she said encour-
agingIy: 'T see"
"And then l found this chap here.
watching YOU
That startled her. How do you mean
-watching me?'
"whs-ah-that's what he seemed To
be doing. He was lying at fun length
no there nalf hidden. to all appearances
watching you from behind screen OF
beach grass"
Butt don't understand-whv should
ne have been watching me?"
I'm sure don't know If you don't
She shook her head. You must be
mistaken"
Jump at conclusions. Anyway. he didn't
like IL much when ! called him out of
his name. l gathered, in fact. that he
was considerably exasperated. silly,
wasn't itT'
IT should say So she agreed eravely.
For a moment or two they eyed each
other in silence. whitaker wondering
lust how much Of a fool she was think
Ing him and dubiouslv considering var
tous expedients toward inRratiatine him
self She was really quite too charm
ing to be neglected. after so auspicious
an inauguration of their acquaintance.
Momentarily he was becoming more
convinced that she was exceptional
Certain he was he had never met any
woman quite like her--not even the fair
but false Miss Carstairs of whom he
had once fancied himself so desperately
enamored. Here there was an uncom-
mon intelligence conjoined with match
less loveliness. Testimony to the former
quality he acquired from eyes serenely
violet and thoughtful. As for the latter.
he reflected that few women. even pro-
fessional beauties. could have stood the
acid test of that mercilessly brilliant
morning.