The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-05

Gould it belong to an Ameri-
can?"'I unused.
The servant deposited the
cases on the platform. and |
looked at the beautiful smooth
ness of the leather.
"Of course they're American!"
I decided, for you must know
that nearly any EngliShman's
luggage would compare unfavor-
ably with the bags Aunt Jemima
brings with her when she comes
up to the city for a weeks morti-
fication to her nephews.
| crossed the platform, but at
the door of the little station
was arrested by sound. Inside
the dingy little room some one
was whistling!
The whistling man inside left
off his music-then l heard his
footsteps tramping impatiently
across the bare wooden floor. He
finally came to the door and
looked out. glanced up, and
our eyes met!
"Well?" he said.
He stood perfectly still for half
a minute It seemed-making no
effort toward a civilized greeting.
Well" l respondents soon
as | could.
This is queer. isn't it,"
| looked at him.
= Queer ! managed to repeat.
Most extraordinary"
q should think l should
like to sit down." | decided, as he
continued to stand staring at me,
and | suddenly realized that l
was very tired.
He moved aside.
by all means!" Come In and
sit down, Miss Christie. This sta
ton fellow here tells me that you
have been disappointed in your
train"
81 have" | answered.
After this, conversation flag
ged, until the silence made me
nervous.
Il should think we ought to
be asking each other-quest'
ions!" i suggested.
"Questions?"
About ships-and how lone
we intend staying-and when
travellers usually ask" l said.
why should | ask that-when
| happen to know?" he inquired
You know-what?"
THAT you came over on the
Luxuria.
"Yes?"
And that the Oldburgh Her.
aid sent you--to write up the
coal strike"
"Will you please explain how
you knew all this?" | asked.
Mrs. Hiram Walker wrote hel
son to call on me while | was il
New York." he explained in his
serious lawyer-like manner, "ant
he happened to leave a copy Of
the Oldburgh Herald in my
rooms"
"Oh. That was quite simple
wasn't it,"
"Quite!"
1t occurred to me then thai
there was no use trying to keel
fate's name out OF this converse
tion-and also it came to me thai
the flowers were no longer a mys
tery-but before | could make vi
my mind to mention this he
turned to me ferociously.
You did make a fool out oil
me-" he accused.
My heart began humping
again.
What do you mean l be
gan, but he cut me short.
1T is this that I can not get
over. The thought has come Il
me that perhaps II l hear you &C
knowledge it. | might be able tt
forgive you better"
Forgive me?"
He leaned toward me.
"If you don't mind, / shoult
like to hear you say: MAITLAND
TAFT, | did make a fool of you!'
But l didn't" l denied stout
ly. "I'll say what | do think, how
ever. II you wish to hear it,"
And that is-?"
Maitland TAFT, you made
fool of YOURSELF"
"Oh, / know that" he replied
You do? Since when, please?
why. l knew it before
crossed the Ohio river!" he &C
knowledged, seeming to TAX
some pride in the fact. u
intended to apologize-or some
thing-when / got to Pittsbug
but when I reached New York OIL
my way here, l saw that yol
were coming to England, too
80 you thought the matte
could easily wait-I see!" l oh
served, then, to change the sub
ject, asked: Have you BEEF
here long?"
Two weeks! I knew that
should get news of you in thi
neignDOrnOOd, SOONER OF idtef.
/ instantly smiled.
81 have come here for my frs
Sunday, you see, but"
But you haven't been to tn
abbey yet, have your" he asked
The boyish anxiety In his ton
gave me a thrill. Something II
the thought of his rememberini
my romantic within touched me.
.No. | have Just come fron
there-the lodge-but the oil
woman at the gates wouldn't lie
me in"
He looked interested. "Nof Blu
why not7"
The master OF the house ha
just died." I explained. ut woul,
be a terrible breach OF etiquett
TO go sightseeing over the mourn
ing acres"
Maitland Tait's lips close
firmly. "Nonsensel I'll ventur
that's Just q servants whim." H
! slipped out his watch. shall
20 over and try to beg or brib
I-.~~xf-rtr. frr ~ru1 H... mi an I