The evening world., 1915-01-18

any way you like. only don't give me
an upper over q nat wheeled truck. II
you can help It,"
An hour further along came the call
to dinner In the dining car; and Bal
lard, who had been poring over a set
OF maps and prOfiles and typewriter
document mailed to intercept him at
Chicago. brought up the rear OF the
outging dinner group from the Dem
yer car.
In the vestibule OF the diner he
found the steward wrestling suavely
with late contingent OF hungry ones,
and explaining that the tables were
all temporarily full. Ballard had
broad shoulders and the Kentucky
stature to match them. Looking over
the heads Of the others. he marked a
tete-a-tete table at the further end Of
tho car with one vacant place.
BEG pardon-there's only one Of
me-" he cut in; and the steward let
him pass. When he had taken the
vacant seat he found himself con-
fronting young woman in a veil
covered hat and gray box coat; not
a chance born double Of Miss Elsa
Craigmiles, but Miss Craigmiles her
self.
why. Mr.. Ballard. Of all things!"
surprise, real, or most artistically
simulated. And then. in mock con-
sternation: Don't tell me you are the
good-natured gentleman / drove out
or his section In the sleeping car"
Il sha'nt: because l don't know
how many more there are of me-"
said Ballard. Then pure astonish-
ment demanded its due. Did only
dream that you were going to Europe
with the Herbert Lassleys. Or
She made a charming little face at
him.
DO you never change your mind
suddenly. Mr.. Ballard? No, YOU
needn't confess: I know you do. Well,
SO do l.. At the last moment begged
on, ana Mrs. Lassley fairly scolded.
she even went so far az to accuse
me OF not knowing my own mind two
minutes at q time"
Ballard's smile was almost grim.
you have given me that impression
now and then: when wanted to DO
serious and you did not. Did you
ahaY"
Did ] not? It's my-that is, It's
cousin Janet Van Bryck's party; and
we are going to do Colorado this
summer. Think or that. as an ex-
change for England and yachting
trip to Tromso!"
This time Billiards. smile was nf-
fectionately cynical.
i didn't suppose you ever forgot
yourself 30 far as to remember that
there was any America west OF the
Allegheny Mountains"
Miss Elsa's laugh was one OF her
most effective weapons. Ballard was
made to feel that he had laid himself
open to some vulnerable point with
out knowing how or why.
Dear mel" she gasped. How long
does II take you to get really ac-
quainted with people7" Then, with
reproachful occurrences: THE man
has been waiting for five full minutes
to take your dinner order"
One OF Ballard's gifts vas pert, =
walter what to bring he returned 70
her question.
1T ~ taking me long enough to get
acquainted with you.' he ventured
1t VIII be two years next Thursday
since we first met at the Herbert
l1assleys'. and you have been awfully
sweet and chummy with me--whon
you felt like 1t. Yet do you know you
have never once gone back to your
college days in speaking Of yourself?
l don't know to this good moment
whether you ever had any girlhood
and that being the case"-
on, spare me-" she begged. In
well counterfeited dismay. zone
would thing
One would not think anything OF
you that he ought not TO think" ho
broke In. gravely; adding: I'VE are a
long way past the Alleghenies now
and ] am glad you are aware OF az
America somewhat broader than II Is
long. Do l know any Of your sight
seers, besides Mrs. Van Bryck?"
TIL list them. and you can see,
she offered. There are Major Black
lock. United States Engineers. re.