The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER VIII.
Go Sailing.

CtAGlEh VIII.
GO Selling.
"Of course" said Gordon Ben
nett. you know your own affairs
best"
II am glad you have come to
such a sensible conclusion" | re-
piled, leaning over the edge of the
boat and trailing my hand in the
water.
"And no doubt you think I'm a
very fresh sort of chap"
l preserved an ostentatious ST.
lence.
The conversation had somehow
drifted to the robbery at the no.
tel, and / had thoughtlessly men,
toned the safe in our dining-room
and Lady Edith's jewels reposing
therein for protection.
He had protested against our
assuming such responsibility.
and urged their immediate return
to their owner. which proposition
] declined to consider. and the ar
gument waxed hot, ending with an
emphatic assertion on his part
that we should not be allowed to
leave home again without a
guardian.
Look here" he resumed firm
ly. "I'm not going to back down
on one word l have said, but I'm
sorry II you are angry about it..
l think you don't quite under
stand my motive"
LET us talk of something else,
Mr.. Bennett"
But listen. Miss Elise. BY your
own admission, you really know
nothing whatever about these peo-
ple."
You forget that they are older
friends than yourself. after all"
1.-THE general asked me to call;
otherwise | should not have VEN
tured to intrude."
His manner was decidedly stiff,
and he jerked the tiller resentful-
ly. AS we changed our course In
swift response, smothered ex-
clamation escaped against my
will, for the boat careened alarm
ingly.
Don't be frightened, he said.
forgetting his irritation. II won't
upset you"
We both laughed, and by COM
mon consent let the matter drop
for the time being, for was quite
willing to resume the lazy, de-
lightful comaraderic into which
we had drifted.
do you know" he said, at last,
that I have in my possession
something belonging to your"
oh" / said, with what | flat
tered myself was fine indiffer-
ence, 81 think you must be mis-
taken. I have not lost anything"
was bareheaded, for liked to
feel the. wind blow through my
hair. and as II curled naturally l
was comfortably certain that my
personal appearance would not be
endangered by so doing. / wished.
however. that my hat was firmly
pinned upon my head as he leaned
forward aud looked closely at me,
his blue eyes laughing.
why aren't your side-combs
mates?" he inquired.
Because | like them best this
way" tried to speak carelessly,
but his laugh was so spontaneous
and merry that I gave up all eff
fort at pretense and Joined in
heartily.
when are you going to givs~it
back to me?" asked.
mot yet." he said, suddenly Sc
rious. 81 must return 1t in my own
way, and do not think the time
has come, do your
But l did not answer. for I felt
my face grow suddenly hot.
I'VE must go home" l said
slowly. "The morning has quite
gone. Take me in, please"
He headed for the shore, and as
we approached the little slip he
turned with an evident effort and
addressed me soberly:
"Miss Elise" he said, lat the
risk of offending you again,
must say something more"
Don't" | entreated; cts not
worth while-don't spoil the
morning."
"Give back that box to her
Lady Edith. II you do not, you
will certainly regret 1t. But II
you won't, in spite of what | tell
you, for heavens sake. don't men,
ton 1t to any one as you did to
me this morning-to the Ora
hams, for instance. or any one at
ALL"
81 am not likely to say any
thing" I returned 'stiffly. II very
much regret having mentioned it
to you. BY the way" continued,
where did you get your scarf
pin?" haFrl
my scarfpin?" n 4
His hand involuntarily sought
his throat, but he was wearing a
negligee shirt and soft silk tie.
"Oh, I don't mean today. The
Sphinx's head, you know, in dull
gold. Where did 1t come from"
1t was a simple enough ques-
ton. and one easily answered, but
Gordon Bennett flushed deep red
beneath his tan and brought the
boat up beside the slip in, silence.
"Well?"
we'll found IT," NJ
"Where?" ets -
Again a pause. a. again the
blood mounted to RI face.
I'm the streets OF New York"
His eyes refused to meet mine.