The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-02-12

some slow twist of the muscles moved
a big vein on the back Of It nearly an
inch out Of its place and back again.
Wickham had heard Of the family
popularity and nodded. "Extraordi-
nary" he said pcrfunctorily. But
"Oh. my mother wasn't a duchess.
Don't be overwhelmed. She was a
farmers daughter, and she believed in
him."
"Scoundrel!"
The dukes daughter shook her head
impartially.
HE wasn't. so bad. He was very
young. and-he cared for her. He had
me educated, and mother lived in a
house of his till she died. I'm not COM
planning at ALL"
And what are you doing over here?"
"Governessing-nursery, you know.
A very nice family, but I couldn't
stand the governess of the elder chill
dren. She was too arbitrary. possibly.
to suit my ducal blood"
The bitterness that suddenly came to
her voice stung Wickham unreasona-
bly,"
$50 you leftY he went on at length.
with IN effort.
Yes. l got n place at Frankfort.
They were very kind to me, but one
Of the sons began making love to me-
And then
"And then l went to Darmstadt
to answer an advertisement. They
wouldn't take me, so l spent the last
of my money on a ticket to Munich.
ily-and perhaps they'll take me back"
"If they don't. what will you DOR
"Oh. I don't know. 1, will have to
plan to find another position"
"Why not allow me to lend you some
money till you find one"
The look that flashed over her face
and her emphatic but courteous refusal
showed him how useless it would be
to pursue the subject.
~.
At Ulm Wickham got out and secur-
| ed some bread and sausage sandwiches
and coffee.
When he went back to the c0mpart-
ment, balancing her cup carefully, he
found her awake, her eyes heavy, one
cheek wrinkled with sleep.
"Oh, how good Of you!"
AS she took the cup from him her
hand touched his, and they both
started.
"How soon do We reach Munich?"
she asked hastily.
Not until Z something. Are you so
impatient to get rid of me?"
II didn't mean that. You have been
so good"
He shook his head. mo, not good.
But you are so lonely, and l too
Are you lonely?"
II have been lonely all my life, but
l have never been so lonely as I shall
be when you have gone"
She looked at him thoughtfully.
isn't it strange? We have known
each other only a few hours'-
Wickham's heart gave a leap at what
she did not add. '"That makes no DIFF
ference, does it," he asked.
II suppose not"
MY name is Robert Wickham.
what Is yOurSV"
Mine is Percy Lane"
"Ah!!"
"Yes: she named me for him."
1T Is a sweet name-Percy. draw
for some of the illustrated papers, not
fancy pictures, but scenes and things
they need to illustrate articles"
"'Our Special Artist"
Yes. l am no genius, but l work
carefully and am tolerably well paid.
I was i'll in the summer and have been
having a holiday. 1 am thirty-two
years old"
The girl watched him dreamily.
'And l am i've and twenty"
"If-the Ferrises take you back you
will stay in Munich?"
She shook her head. mo. They are
going to Italy for the winter. am
sorry"
Wickham had forgotten his deter
mination to be wise and, leaning over,
laid his hand in hers. Would you like
to see me agaln"
"Yes. oh. yes! You have been 50
kind"
DO you like me Il llttle?"
YES"
Look ut me-" he went on a trife
breathlessly. Il like you, Percy, much
more than a little. Do you think you
could ever like me as I do you"
oh" she said. ''please don't"
Then she drew the shabby curtain
before her face and pretended to look
out into the breaking day. Wickham
cursed his own idiOcy. and an hour
passed before either Of them spoke
again.
Then he said rather roughly: miss
Lane. we are almost there. and you
will need all your strength. Eat the
other sandwich"
She obeyed in silence.
do you know where the Ferrises
are stopping?"
She. shook her head. "No;. I only
saw their arrival announced in a pa
per-"
She tugged at the window az she
spoke. and it slammed down. letting
4 $3.50 - - 80. ' 49, b -. LLE