The Little River news., 1915-12-25
FOR DAVIS DEAR SAKE
By ELiNOR GATES.


 Hildreth-C Chesley was all agog over the charms, the wealth, the clothes of newcomer, Mrs. Ruel Latran, who had taken the Farms under rather a long lease-Green Farms, to be exact, the show place of the colony. Who- ever lived in 1t must have money, also social sponsors; also. beyond all, personality.
 You see, Olney, who owned the Farms, although tired of the place, yet held it i'll a certain petulant re- gard. which made him exacting as to possible tenants.
 The which is illuminating-both as to owner and new tenant Olney had never seen her, but what he had heard from a mutual acquaintance so prepossessed him in her favor that his inquiries had not gone beyond her bank account.
 The colony, of course, swarmed In welcome to her. That she was dis tinctly new was all in her favor. A vague haze of romance enshrouded her past.
 No armor is so impenetrable as a casual traakn ess that scouts the name of secrets. Mrs. Latran was amazingly frank-even about her age. Twenty-nine she gave herself out tc be, signing that it was so near to thirty and waving away consolirg speech that she hardly looked twenty five. Further. she spoke of her col lege. of her native country, touching very lightly on the fact that she was the last of her race. Oddly, she did not think ever to mention the family name, but there was 40 tripping her even if anybody had tried it, over country sights and sounds. and habits of mind.
 It was even 3dder-women took to her amazingly. As Teeny Ware put it, she was the best sort of good fel- low.
 Olney, who came down in August, laughed over the saying. His com ing was a surprise. Or course he did not go to the Farms, but he did meet the mistress of it many times. Also, he studied her intently-a thing he had rarely done for any woman.
 Notwithstanding, they got on ad. admirably. She apparently ignored the challenge of his scrutiny and was gay and cordial as with all the rest So there was really scant warrant for his saying to her at the end of fort. night, Madam, whatever the game Is henceforth you must count me in."
 'Not yet. It would spoil-every. thing" she answered, and 1t was amazing what mirth and mockery danced over her eyes and mouth. "I dare not even let my whole self in," she ran on. "The experiment Is as gorgeous as a soap bubble-and as easily broken"
 T won't break it." Olney answered. kindly. Tell me by little. As, for instance. isn't Dan Langton the orig inal first cause of itr'
 "You are his best frieud?" she 'par- ried
 Olney nodded, but said quickly: q come next to you. No-he hasn't said so outright-but when he talked of you the very first time-I knew" "So that's why you let me come here." she said. smiling and nodding And I have believed it was all my wonderful man of business. Say! What did he tell your" "Nothing-had no chance" Olney answered tranquilly. Then, dropping to a plaintive key: Please remember I've a weak heart-can't stand this strain of curiosity. Tell me and I'll never tell anybody-but Dan." You mean-about the expert. ment!" she asked.
 Olney smiled a "Yes." She went on quickly, as though fearing to lose courage: "The experiment is-to see if 8 bookmade woman can hold her own with-the other sort" Explain! This is all Sanskrit to me-" Olney exploded. She drew deep breath and hur- ried on: My mother was cook. my father day laborer. He died when I was five, and when I was fifteen my l mother followed him. Then old Ruel | Latran. for whom she had worked all my life, cripple and4 blind. married me-to save mo. He made . VIII stytp9 ma avarttAins.~ Tor eoEin