News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-10-25

way to a swift pallor. The hands
trembled that drew her beach CLOAK
close about her. She seemed to make
an Intellectual effort to speak.
On his part, Whitaker tried to get
up. A keen twinge in his ankle how.
ever, wrung an involuntary grunt from
him. and with wry grimace he sank
back.
"Oh" cried the woman impulsively
you're hurt" She advanced a pace
~solicitous and sympathetic.
"Oh, not much" Whitaker replied
in tone more of hope than of assur-
ance. He felt tenderly of the injured
member. "Only my ankle-twisted it
Il few days ago, and now again. It'll
be all right in a moment or two"
Her gaze Travelled from him to the
edge of the bluff.
81 didn't see-I mean, heard some
thing, and turned, and saw you trying
to sit up and the other man rising"
"Sorry we startled you" Whitaker
mumbled, wondering how the deuce he
was going to get home. His examina.
ton of the ankle hadn't proved greatly
encouraging.
''But I-ah-how did it happen?"
"a mere misunderstanding, he said
lightly. 81 mistook the gentleman for
someone [ knew. He resented it, so
we started to scrap like a couple of
schoolboys. Then l wish to
heaven it had been his leg instead of
mine!"
"But still / hardly understand :"
."Well you see, I-ah-Tm visiting
Ember-the cottage next to yours, 1
believe. That is, if Pm not mistaken,
you have the Ffske place"
She nodded.
"And so, this morning, it struck me
as a fine young idea to swim over here
and have look at the beach And
then 1 found that chap watching YOU"
That startled her. How do you
mean--watching me?"
"Why-ah-that's what he seemed
to be doing"
She shook her head. You must be
mistaken"
"Daresay. l generally am when
jump at conclusions Anyway, he didn't
like it much when | called him out of
his name. | gathered, in fact, that he
was. considerably put out. Silly, wasn't
it?"
"Rather!' she agreed grayely.
For a moment or two they eyed one
another in silence, Whitaker wonder
ing just how much of a fool she was
thinking him and obviously consider
ing various expedients to ingratiate
himself.
Il don't seem to think of anything
useful to say" he ventured. Can you
help me out? Unless you'd be inter-
ested to know my names Whitaker
Hugh Whitaker"
merely by brief nod. at seems to
me-" she said seriously that the
pressing question is, what are you go
ing to do about that ankle? Shall
you be able to walk?"
lizard to say" he grumbled trile
udSAeu. WIN lulluite pains anu the
aid of both hands and his sound foot
he lifted himself and contrived to
stand erect for an instant, then bore a
little weight on the hurt ankle-and
blanched, paling visibly beneath his in
eradicable tan.
Il don't suppose" he said with eff
fort-"they groW-crutches-on this
neck of land"
And he was about to collapse again
upon the sands when, without warning,
he found the woman had moved to his
side and caught his hand, almost
passing his arm across her
so that she received no little |
Of his weight.
"Oh, l say" he protested feebly. |
Don't say anything" she replied |
shortly. I'm very strong-quite able |
to help you to the boat. Please don't |
me at all just see If we can't |
this way"
He endeavored to withdraw his arm,
an effort rendered futile by her cool,
firm grasp on his fingers.
"Please!" she said-not altogether |
patiently.
Ito Be Continued
ii n ~ 81 ra n