The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-09-29

ready hustling In their direction, even
before Steve. with that slow smile tug
ging at his lips, had finished assuring
her that it was never necessary to
summon Joe into the presence OF an
attractive member of the opposite sex.
He came without being called.
Morning, chief" Fat Joe saluted.
In that thin and reedy tenor which
none but fat men have.
Steve managed the presentation with
extreme punctility and left them.
When he returned, almost an hour lat
er' he heard them both laughing long
before he came into view, and on the
way back up the hill the girl detailed
for him much of her conversation with
Fat Joe.
Why should there be any-any ele-
ment Of personal danger in this work
you are doing, Mr.. 0'Mara?" she 6nal-
" asked "And did | do wrong in
mentioning to Mr.. Morgan how that
man came out Of that-place and glar-
ed so at you?"
His reioinder should have been very
reassuring.
so Joe has been limiting at that
mystery stuff again. has he? After
listening to him one is compelled to
believe that | run daily a yeritable
gauntlet of nameless perils."
! Barbara stood, small fists buried in
her sweater pockets, studying his
smile of amusement.
81 shouldn't like to believe So" her
voice was family diflident. "And you
you haven't accepted my invitation
for Friday. May | expect you?
didn't tell you, but Archie-Archibald
/ Wickersham-wi be there, as well as
/ Garry. $3.50 you won't be entirely
unacquainted."
| And then at those words his face
changed. All in one feet second, in
spite Of the whole mornings quick init
macy of mood and the spirit Of COM
| partnership which to her had seemed a
! delightfully."- new yet time tried thing,
Barbara found that she could not read
an inch behind those grave gray eyes.
! She found his quiet countenance as un-
readable as that of the utmost stranger
might have been. And while she wait
ed, not entirely certain how displeased
she was at his elaboration, blacklist
of black horses scared splendidly over
\ fence to the north and came canter-
ing down the road. The rider, a tall,
bareheaded girl, lifted her crop in sa-
Lutte as she caught sight Of them.
my friend, Miriam Burrell," the girl
murmured in explanation to Steve, and
something had gone from her voice and
left 1t conventionally impersonal.
"She's riding Ragtime, and isn't he a
beauty-almost as much a beauty as
she is herself?"
The horse came on, to be refined up
at last directly in front of the two at
the roadside. Stephen 0'Mara met for
a moment the level, measuring glance
of its rider before Miriam Burrell turn
ed to Barbara.
'Tve enjoyed exceedingly our morn
ing canter, Bobs," her alto voice
drawled.
ghen, before Barbara could reply, she
1'T1Tfw one booted leg from the stirrup
and dismounted. With the reins looped
over her elbow she faced the man In
blue flannel and corduroy, a tall, 1.-THE
figure with coppery red hair and whit
est skin and doubly vivid lips.
"You're Stephen 0'Mara," she said.
You're Stephen 0'Mara, for a thou
sandw
"I've just asked Mr. 0'Mara to come
to my dance, Miriam" Barbara said
"and how did you know him, pray?
I've asked him, but he is un6atteringly
long In accepting"
'Know him" Miriam echoed. Know
himl Oh, Mr.. O'Mara and have met
before. | think before the fall of the
Roman empire wasn't it, Mr.. 0'Mara?
Weren't they dragging me in at the
wheel of chariot one afternoon when
you were dealing out gold piece to
each Of your legionaries"
She laughed dryly, and Barbara felt
smaller and more forlorn and lonelier
still.
"No doubt Mr.. O'Mara hasn't time to
be flattering Bobs," she commented.
But you will have time to come FRI
day for little while, won't your she
asked.
Steve glanced down at the hand
which still felt the pressure Of her
buckskin clad fingers.
Il have to work day and night some
weeks when things break badly" Steve
told her simply. IF | can" and he
iurned to Barbara-"if can want to
come"
Miriam nodded her head with brisk
duality.
"Tf you can" she agreed. Barbara
no doubt has been telling you about
Garret Deveeau, hasn't she7 Yes.
come II you can. ] have heard. Mr..
o'Mara, that sou have once or twice
fought your way out Of the dark when
everybody else had lost hope. want
an opportunity to talk with specialist
In such campaigns"
Stephen 0'Mara had read a meaning
In the words of that contained, often
abrupt, straIghtly tall girl of which
Barbara Allison had not even dreamed
He stood watching them when they
fiIrnad nm tho drirnmnu Tho hnrrn