Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-08-27

OO 9AACACCas 90SACNJ 1850
him out, but society had shown him
in many subtle ways that he was no
longer her favorite. He had taken q
plebeian stand with the masses. Mean
while, from various sources, Horton
had received warnings of actual per-
sonal danger. But at these he had
laughed, and no hint of them had
reached Adrienne's ears.
One evening, when business had
forced the postponement OF a dinner
engagement with Miss Lescott, he
begged her over the telephone to ride
with him the following morning.
II know you are usually asleep when
I'm out and galloping," he laughed,
but you pitched me neck and crop
into this hurly-burly, and shouldn't
have to lose everything. Don't have
your horse brought. / want you to
try out a new one of NINE"
II think" she answered, that early
morning Is the best time to ride. I'll
meet you at seven at the Plaza en-
trance
They had turned the upper end of
the reservoir before Horton drew his
mount to a walk, and allowed the reins
to hang. They had been %galloping
hard, and conversation had been i'm
practicable.
Il suppose experience should have
taught me-" began Horton, slowly,
that the most asinine thing in the
world is to try to lecture you, Drennie.
But there are times when n must
ever risk your delight at ones dis
comfture."
I'm not going to tease you this
morning" she answered, docilely. II
like the horse too well-and, to be
frank, / like you too well!"
Thank you," smiled Horton. LAS
usual, you disarm me on the verge
of combat. l had nerved myself for
ridicule."
What have l done now?" inquired
the girl, with an innocence which
further disarmed him.
The queen can do no wrong. But
even the queen, perhaps more par
ticularly the queen, must give thought
to what people are saying"
What are people saying?"
THE usual unjust things that are
said about women in society. You are
being constantly seer with an uncouth
freak who is scarcely a gentleman.
however much he may be a man. And
malicious tongues are wagging."
The girl stiftened.
II won't spar with you. l know that
you are abiding to Samson South,
though the description is q SANDER.
/ never thought 1t would be necessary
to say such a thing to you, Wilfred,
but you are talking like a cad"
The young man flushed.
Il laid myself open to that" he said,
slowly, and l suppose l should have
expected 1t. God knows / hate cads
and snobs. Mr.. South is simply, as
yet, uncivilized. Otherwise, he would
hardly take you, unchaperoned, to-
well, let us say to ultra-bohemian re-
sorts, where you are seen by such
gossip-mongers as William Farbish."
80, that's the specific charge, is
it7"
Eyes, that's the specific charge. Mr..
South may be a man OF unusual talent
and strength. But-he has done what
no other man has done-with you. He
has caused club gossip, which may
easily be twisted and misconstrued."
do you fancy that Samson Smith
could have taken me to the Wigwam
road-house II I had not cared to go
with him?"
The man shook his head.
Certainly not! But the fact that
you did care to go with him indicates
an influence over you which is new.
You have not sought the bohemian
and unconventional phases Of life with
your other friends. There is no price
under heaven l would not pay for
your regard. None the less, l repeat
that, at the present moment, l can
see only two definitions for this noun
taineer. Either he is a bounder, or
else he is SO densely ignorant and
churlish that he is unfit to associate
with you"
Il make no apologies for Mr.. South"
she said, because none are needed.
He is a stranger in New York, who
knows nothing, and cares nothing
about the conventionalities. If l chose
to waive them, l think it was my right
and my responsibility"
Horton said nothing, and, in a mo-
ment Adrienne Lescott's manner
changed. She spoke more gently:
"Wilfred. I'm sorry you choose to
take this prejudice against the boy.
You could have done a great deal t
help him. ] wanted you to be friends"
Thank you!" His manner was
stiff. Il hardly think we'd hit it of
together"
Il believe you are ~jealous!" she
announced.
"of course, I'm Jealous" he replied,
without evasion. Possibly, l might