The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1915-01-08


THAT was a thorn. I drew II out
an hour ago"
e. Blake looked UP into her hazel eyes.
They were blazing with indignant
scorn. He freed her, and rose with
clumsy slowness. Again he glanced
At her quivering. scarlet face. only to
look away with a sheepish express
sion.
II guess you think I'm Just a
crasy meddlesome idiot" hs num-
blsd.
She did not answer. He stood for
. little. rubbing finger across his
sun blistered lips. Suddenly no
stopped and looked at the finger. 1t
Was streaked with blood.
Y "Whsw!" he exclaimed. Didn't
stop to think OF that! It's Just a.
well for me, Miss Jenny. that wasn't
an adder bite. A little poison on my
sore lip would have done for me. Ten
to one. we'd both have turned up our
toes at the same time. OF course,
though. that'd be nothing to you"
Miss Leslie put her hands before her
face and burst into hysterici weep
Blake LOOKED around. Tar more
charmed than when facing the adder.
Here you blooming ludl" he shout
-; take the lady away, and b. quick
any moro snake stunts. Clear out
With her. while smash the wriggier."
winthrops. who had bsen staring
nxedly at the beautiful coior1ng and
teathsoms form Of the wTtthing adder.
0tAEted at Blakes harah command a.
Though 0truck 4
q, Eer-to b sure" he stammsred,
.a0A 6Arting. around to the 6ystsrical
0iri. no took her arm and hurried
ayay up the giads.
DtaACe came running up behind them.
Wlnthrope looked back with Q glance
q inquiry. Blake shook his head.
mot ysk," be said. 'Nivs me your
cigarette case. I've thought Of some
thing Hold on: take out tho cigar
cites. Smoke EN-. II you like"
Case In hand. Blake returned to the
wounded adder and picked UP his
dub. A second smasninS blow would
NV ended the matter at onoe; but
BiAke dad not strike
Instead, he feinted with his club I'M
III he managed to pin down the ven-
ouous bead. The club lay across the
monster,s neck. and he held 1t fast
With the pressure Of his foot.
! When. half an hour later. he wiped
his knife on . wisp OF grass and stood
the cigarette case contained over
- tablespoonful Of Q crystalline liquid.
He pesred In at It.. his heavy jaw
thrust out, his eyes glowing with sav-
..rsik About vour meat tr,,sts and
Wlnchestersi" he exulted: heres q
whole carload Of beef In this little
bo9-enough dope to morgus . herd
Of steers. Good Lord, though. that
was . close shave for her!"
His face sobered. and he stood for
several moments staring thoughtfully
into space. Then his saxs CHANGED TO
fail upon the great crimson blossom
which had so nearly 'ursd the girl
-Hellol no exclaimed: "that's an
oomins to pick 81 He snapped
sAut the I'D Of the cigarette case.
thrust II carefully into his shirt
pocket. and stepped forward TO pluck
he flower. ''Nakes . fellow feel like
= kid; but maybe It'll make her feel
No. sore at me-"
~. Blake went on until he stood before
. held out tho crimson blossom.
ssrhought you might like poeies.
: - 0a1d, IN q hesitadng voice.
~ Instead OF taking the flower ahe
AguW back with q gesture Of reputation.
!, sOh. take 1t awayl" she exclaimed.
~ Blake ffung the rejected gift to the
GPound and crushed It beneath his
heel.
-Catch me making a fool of myself
Ill ~ IA
IN Ill did not mean It that way
really didn't Mr.. Blake II was the
, thouGht of that awful snake"
% Hut Blake, out to the quick, had
|, turned away, far too angry to heed
what she said. He stopped short be-
: ,aide the Englishman, but only to
siing the skin of honey upon his
hack. Tho load was by no means q
|. light one. even for his strength. Yet
:, be caught up the heavy pot as we'll
{ and made of across the plain at a
paoO which the others could not hope
10 equal.
A Winthrope rose and came for
ward to Join Miss Leslie he looked
sNeut closely for the bruised flower.
lt Was nowhere in sight.
"E-beE pardon. Miss Genevieve.
bat did not Blake drop the bloom
sr-blossom somewhere about here"
Perhaps he did," replied Miss Les
lie. She spoke with studied indiner-
"xh. indeed. However, this 10 now
quite another matter. Has II not oc-
oaarred to you. my dear. that this en-
sire experience Of ours since that
bAastly storm Is rather-er-compro-
Aising?"
compromising?
ssOne moment. please! I am trying
. 10 intimate to you rs delicately as
. tossible Observation-Disclosures you
would find II TO have these little oci
eurrences-above to-days--noised
J .emong your friends. Better consent
to marry me-"
sCad!" she cried. and turains her