The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-02-06

continued. Il understand the matter
perfectly. You heard something dis
agreeable and attributed it to me-"
II can only apologize now" I an
swered. But some day ! will explain.
and then I'll ask you to forgive me-
1T is much more gracious TO forgive
without explanation. and I want due
credit for absolving you without con-
~fession. But the next time you receive
anonymous messages. won't you please
give me the benefit of the doubt!'
Il did"
"You didY' The girl laughed quietly
her saddle and began pulling of her
gloves. Il shudder to think what
would have happened to me II hadn't
received that doubtful benefit
WAS l so insufferable:"
Our horses were standing head to
head. and | looked straight into my
companions eyes as l put the question.
The girl hesitated as though careful
ly considering the matter. her brows
knit and her head at a judicial angle.
Not exactly insufferable,' she ad-
mitted refectively. Just militantly
reserved, magnificently distant. and
virtuously unapproachable."
She illustrated her adjectives. draw
ing herself up stifiiy and scowling com
ically at me under half closed lids.
"You saw all that in one gianceT' I
laughed.
In one or more. / should have ex-
pressed it more simply and said you
were cross IL you hadn't denied it"
Did l look CROSSE"
"Of course you did, she exclaimed.
"And you may as well admit you were.
Have you eve played pokerg' she
continued, her eyes twinkling mis-
c~hievously.
"Once or twice. I answered.
Did you VIM"
II have never been lucky at cards."
1 responded.
Miss Barbara placed two long pins
between her lips and began adjusting
her hat.
THAT has its compensations, but you
are still a bachelor" she reflected. $50
you can't claim to be lucky Ia love-"
she continued as she speared the last
pin into place. There must be some
other reason. Don't you know what
it is?"
"Why l won at pokerT' 1 que
ried. Il can't say I've given any very
serious thought to the natter
The girl laughed delightedly.
Good" she exclaimed. I'm glad to
hear il. l was afraid you gave serious
thought to everything, for you're look
ing as solemn as u judge this minute.
Hasn't anybody ever told you what an
expressive face you have?' she went
on smilingly. NO? Well, a card player
would read it like an open book. Why.
l believe / could tell whether my hat
was on straight simply by looking In
your eyes. Let's see if / couldn't.
Thank you. A little too much to the
right? No? To the left then? Further
forward? Backward? Oh. l might have
known this test was too sever for any
man.
1 stopped and hooked up Dolly's fall
en- reins with the handle Of my crop.
II wonder If you ever heard how a
dull mirror once answered its mis-
tress?' l inquired as / looked up.
She shook her head e~ncouragingly.
my lady, it responded, had I been
brighter / might have been dismissed
with a glance. AS 1t is, / have held
your dear face longer. Danish me now,
If you will"
The girl flushed, but quickly recov-
cred herself.
"And did she Danish it," she queried.
81 never heard" / answered casually.
Perhaps she discovered it wasn't as
dull as she thought, and
"Oh, she probably kept it if she was
susceptible to iattery; otherwise not"
(, she interrupted. Where were you 60
ing when l headed you off this morn
mgr
ITO Hefryville. And your"
ITO that red brick building yonder."
She pointed with her whip to a house
some distance down The road as she
spoke.
And then?' I inquired.
.Then l return to Pollicet."
MAY l wait for your
Here: oh, l wouldn't think of ask
ing you to do that"
1T is l who am doing the asking"
81 know, but ! may be detained a
long time, and besides
You have made another engage
ment?" l interrupted, with sudden
Jealous intuition. 81 understand. l
may see you as far as the red house,
may / not?' added after a pause.
The girl glanced hesitatingly down
the road.
Il think you'd better not" she re-
piled at last.
why"
do you really want to known
IF you don't mind telling me-"
mo, l don't mind, but Well, that
building is the county jail, and I'm 60
go .t-tk n frsouA No- -.