The Glasgow courier., 1916-09-01

most out of your boots,' said he
boldly.
NO. I'm not" said she resolutely. II
am only conscious of feeling extreme
ly foolish"
II shouldn't feel that way about
stealing off for a cup of tea said he.
ITS all quite regular, you know, AND
is frequently done in the very best cir
cles when the cats away"
you see, couldn't quite scrape up
the courage to go directly to the hotel
for you," she said. Il know several
people who are stopping there, and /
well, you won't think I'm dread
full person, will you?"
Not at ALL" he declared promptly.
Then he resolved to put one of the
questions he had made up his mind to
ask at the first opportunity. do you
mind telling me why you abandoned
me so completely, so heartlessly, on
,he day we landed?'
Because there was no reason why
| should act otherwise, Mr.. Schmidt"
she said, the tremor gone from her
voice
And yet you take me to St. Cloud
for tea" he said pointedly.
"Ah. but no one is to know of this"
she cried warmly. This is a secret.
very secret adventure"
He could not help staring. And
that is just why am mystified. Why
is today so very different from yester-
day."
1T isn't" she said. Doesn't all this
prove it?"
He suddenly remembered the baron's
shrewd conjecture and let the oppor-
tunity to say something banal go by
without word. Perhaps it was test,
after all.
There are many things want to
speak about, Mr.. Schmidt, and-and
YOU know how impossible it is to-to
get a moment to oneself when one is
being watched like a child as am be-
ing watched over by dear Mrs. Gas.
ton. You will understand, won't you?"
pray do not distress yourself, Miss
Guile" he protested. "The last word
the day by doubling it's integrity.
AS the the car turned into the Bou-
levard des Capucines Robin suppress
ed an exclamation of annoyance on be-
holding Baron Gourou and Dank
standing on the curb almost within
arms length of the car as it passed
The former was peering rather in
of hn ha
seat and evinced little or no interest
in the occupants Of the passing ton
neau.
Wasn't that your friend Mr.. Dank?"
inquired Miss Guile with interest He
felt that she was chding him.
"Yes," said he, and then turned for
another look at his compatriots. Gou-
rou was jotting something down on
his cuff band. The prince mentally
promised him something for his pains.
But let us leave dull care behind" he
went on gayly.
Wont you be good enough to take
off that veil? 1t seriously obstructs
the view"
She complacently shook her head
1T doesn't obstruct mine," she said.
Have you been reading what the pa
pers are saying about your friend Mr..
RIithers and his obstreperous daugh
ter, Maud%
Robin caught his breath In flash
he suspected an excellent reason for
keeping the veil in place He could
now see that it gave her a distinct ad
vantage over him.
'Yes. | see that she positively de-
nies the whole business"
"Likewise the prospective spouse
she added. isn't it sickening?"
by the way, it is reported that she
crossed on the steamer with us"
Il am quite certain that she did, Mr..
Schmidt" said she.
"You really think so?" he cried, re-
garding her keenly.
THE man who came to meet me
knows her quite we'll. He is confident
that he saw her at Cherbourg."
Il see." said he, and was thoroughly
convinced. II may as we'll confess to
you. Miss Guile. that also know her
when see her"
But you told me positively that you
had never seen her. Mr.. Schmidt" she
said quickly.
Il had not seen her up to the second
day out on the Jupiter" he explained.
enjoying himself immensely.
1T was after that that you"-
Il know" he said. as she hesitated.
but you see l didn't know she was
Miss Blithers until sometime after
had met you" There was challenge
in his manner amounting almost to a
declaration.
She leaned forward to regard him
more intently.
rs it possible, Mr.. Schmidt, that you
suspect me of being that horrid, vul-
gar creature?"
Robin was not to be trapped There
was something in the shadowy eyes
that warned him.
AT least l may say that do not
Sncna0t of he;