The Washington herald., 1914-12-16

In the meantime Jack Bassington's va
cation had come TO an end and he had
returned TO the city.
Being without a family and home IN
the city itself he was free to live where
fancy and pocketbook dictated. He went
directly from the station, to the address
he had seen in the corner OF the en-
velope addressed to Lily Brayton. He
felt reasonably certain that he could find
a boarding house near that address and,
perhaps, some wild chance would throw
her across his path during the winter
months. 1t would do no harm to live
near to her home since he would at
least see her from time to time II only
in passing. Basstngton's chin suggested
that he went straight for the things he
most desired in life. Lily Brayton, un-
known TO herself, had been the recipient
OF many longing glances from young Bas-
sington's blue eyes
When he caught sight OF the brown
stone front house that bore the num-
Der he had put carefully down In is
notebook, Bassington whistled softly and
delightedly
Just under the number a small brass
plate Informed passersby that there
We're vacant apartments within.
Basington bounded up the. steps, two
at time, with his heavy suit case and
rang the bell. The maid who answered
his ring led him into the little ONCE and
there he made arrangements to occupy
the datntily furnished room on the third
floor
Mrs. Brayton smiled when BassinGton
went up the stairs. She did not know
why she had taken in a stranger with
out any kind Of reference. but she realIs-
ed that her new boarder was the kind
OF man whom one instinctively trusts
She hoped Lily too. would have the same
feeling regarding him.
When Lily returned two days later Mrs
Brayton sighed. Her daughters eyes
were shadowed and her smile seemed
less frequent than of yore.
Perhaps our new border will cheer
her up, the fond mother reasoned THE
sight OF his good-lOoking face is sufficient
to chase smiles into any girls lips"
Mrs. Brayton was not prepared, how
ever, for the vivid rush Of color Into
Lily's cheeks when at the dinner table
Mr.. Bassington was introduced to her
The girl stammered a greeting and sax
swiftly down to cover her embarrass-
ment- She hoped that no one had wit
messed her start OF surprise and the an
noying colr that had famed into her
cheeks.
Bassington was even more nervous in
wardly, but outwardly he was cooIness
itself. 1t was not often that he was so
completely mastered by a gifl's person.
ality. His dinner was eaten mechanI-
cally. while all the time he listened to
every word that fell from the lips Of Lily
Brayton. She having recovered herseIf.
realized that great good luck had pre-
sented itself to her and she was happy
accordingly. She laughed and joked and
was the Lily that her mother had sighed
Tor There was no shadow in her eyes
now and Mrs. Brayton rejoiced
1t was not until after dinner and the
guests went up on the roof with steamer
chairs and rugs to enjoy a starry sNy
that Bassington confessed. He and Ltiy
found themselves separated slightly from
the group that was singing negro nedo-
dies to the accompaniment Of the banjo,
and Bassington sent a level glance strignr
into Gily's shining eyes.
Il had watched you every day." he said
softly, 'and wanted to know you more
than anything in the world ! asked ey-
cry one 1 knew in Sea Clin IL they were
acquainted with wonder girl, whoss |
hair was like spun gold and her eyes like |
sapphires. but no one could help me out. |
Convention is q dreadful bore-at times, |
sn't it?'' he questioned, and waited for |
Lily's answer.
You seem to have managed-even con-
she laughed.
Il wouldn't have" Bassington said,
If you hadn't dropped thar
etter. kind Of hoped that YOU"
Il am a perfectly conventional person."
Lily Informed him, with a subtle glance
rom beneath her lashes.