Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-05-19
Copyright. by Louis Joseph vaAcol
CnRrICN Nv.
Confessional.

romafneds VIII troubled gaze 1Ocuscu
on som s~anote abstraction. "You will
have H. a won't your" Lanyard urged.
She recalled her thoughts, nodded
with the faintest of smiles-"Yes.
thank you'-and dropped into chair.
He began at once to make talk In an
effort to dissipate the constraint that
stood between them like an unseen
alien presence: You must be very
hungry"
IT am" she assented.
Sorry I've nothing better to offer
you. I'd have run out for something
more substantial. only"
Only" she prompted, coolly help
ing herself to biscuit and potted ham.
II didn't think it wise to leave you
alone"
was that before or after you'd made
up your mind about me-the latest
phase, I mean?" she persisted with
trace Of malice.
Before" he returned calmly-"like-
wise, afterward. Either way you care
20 take It, 1t wouldn't have been wise
to leave you here. Suppose you had
walked up to find me gone, yourself
alone in this strange house"
I've been awake several hours" she
nterposed-"found myself locked in,
and heard no sound to indicate that
you were still here"
I'm sorry; was overtired and slept
like a log But assuming the case:
you would have gone out alone, penni-
less"
Through a locked door, Mr.. Ian
yard?"
81 shouldn't have left II locked " he
explained patiently you would have
found yourself friendless and without
resources in a city to which you are
stranger"
She nodded. True. But what of
that"
"In desperation you might have been
forced to return"
"And report the outcome Of my In
vestigation!"
pressure might have been brought
to bear upon you to induce admissions
damaging to me-" Lanyard submitted
pleasantly. Whether or no. you q
have been Obliged to renew associa-
lions you're we'll rid Of"
"You feel sure Of that?"
"Quite sure"
"How can YOU be-" she challenged.
you've yet to know me twenty-four
hours"
But perhaps | know the associa-
lions better. In point OF fact. do,
Even though you may have stopped to
play the spy last night, Miss Bannon--
you couldn't keep it up. You ran
away to escape further contamination
from that pack Of jackals."
"Not-you feel sure-merely to keep
you under observation"
II do feel sure of that, I have your
word for IT,"
The girl deliberately finished her
tea and sat back, regarding him stead
fly beneath level brows. Then she
said with an odd laugh: "You have
your own way Of putting one on
honor!"
II don't need to-with you"
: She analysed this with gathering
perplexity. What do you mean by
that?"
II mean | don't need to put you on
your honor-because I'm sure OF you.
But even II l were not. still I'd refrain
from exacting any pledge, or attempt
ing to-" He paused and shrugged be-
fore continuing III thought you were
still to be distrusted, Miss Bannon. Ia
say: There's a free door; 80 when
you like. back to the Pack, turn in
your report. and let them act as they
see fit.' Do you think care for them
DO you imagine for one instant that
fear any one-or all-of that gang?"
THAT rings suspiciously of ego,
'ism!"
,. Let It," he retorted. IT'S pride Of
caste, II you must know. hold my
sself a grade better than such cattle;
I've intelligence, at least. I can take
care of myself"
II he might read her countenance. 1t
expressed more than anything else dis
;tress and disappointment.
why do you boast like this-to
met"
Less through selfsatisfaction than
through contempt for a pack Of MUIR
derous mongrels-impatienc that I
have to consider such creatures as
Popin Z Wertheimer. De Morbihan,
apd-ail that crew."
[nd Bannon she corrected calm
iyA"you meant to say!"
well" he stammered. discounte-
nanced.
1T doesn't matter" she assured him
II quite understand. and strange as II
may sound. I've very little feeling In
the matter" And then she acknowl'
edged his stupeHed stare with weary
little smile. II know what know"
she affirmed with Obscure significance.
'Td give a good deal to know how
much you know" he muttered In his
confusion.
But what do you know ?" she caught
him up-"against Mr.. Bannon-sgainst
MY father. that is--that makes you 90