The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-05
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across tho bare wooden floor. lie
finally came TO tho door and looked
out. glanced up. and our eyes
NETT
"Well7" he said.
lie stood perfectly still for half a
minute Il COMMUNICATING no effort
toward a civilized greeting.
Welt" responded-as soon as !
could.
"This is queer. isn't III"
| looked ut him.
Queer" | managed TO repeat
Most extraordinary"
Il should think should like
10 sit down." decided. as no con-
tinuod to stand staring nj me. and
| suddenly realized that was very
tired.
lilo moved aside.
ny all meansl Come In and ait
down. Miss Christie. This station
fellow hero tells mo that you have
been disappointed In your train"
Il have" answered.
After this. conversation tagged.
until the silence made me nervous.
Il should think We ought TO be
asking each other-quostionsl"
suggested
Questions
about ships-and how long we
intend staying what travellers
usually ask" / said.
happen 10 know" he inquired.
you know--what7
THAT you camo over on the
Luxuria."
"yesf"
And that the oldburEh Herald
sent you-co write up the coal
strike"
"Win you please explain how you
knew all this'" asked.
Mrs. Hiram Walker wrote her
son to call on me while was In
New York." he explained In his ser.
ious lawyerliks manner. and he
happened 20 leave copy OF tho
.Oldhurgh Herald 10 my rooms"
"ohl That was quite simple.
wasn't ~"
Quite"
IL occurred 20 mo then that there
was no use trying 10 keep fate'E
name out OF this eonyersatlon-and
also II came 10 me that the flowers
we're no longer a mystery-but DO.
fore | could mako up my mind TO
mention this he turned TO mo 10.
rociously.,
You dlh make fool out OF me -
no accused.
Ny heart began humping again.
What do you meant" began.
but he cut me short.
IL IL this that can not Eet over
The thought has come TO me that
perhaps II hear you acknowledge
Il. nigh, be able 10 forgive you
better"
Forgive moi"
He leaned toward me.
IF you don't mind, I should like
to hear you say: Maitland TAFT. !
did make n fool OF you''"
But | didn't" | denied stoutiy
Y n say HN&h W. tAAtNh4 .
II you wish TO hear 81"
And that is-T'
Maitland TAFT. you made a fool
OF yoursslfl"
"Oh. know that" no replied.
you dor Since when. please"
why. knew II before crossed
the Ohio Rlver." no Acknowledged.
seeming 20 take some pride In the
fact. IL intended TO apologize
or something ! got TO Pitts.
burg. but when I reached New York.
on my way here. ! saw that you
were coming 10 England. too"
so you thought tho matter could
easily watt sect" observed.
then. 10 change tho subject. |
asked: Have you been here long?"
Two weeks, knew that |
should get news OF you in this
nelghborhood. sooner or later"
instantly smiled.
Il have come here for my first
Sunday. you see. but"
But you haven't been 10 the
abbey yet, have your" he asked.
The boyish anxiety In his tone
gave me thrill. Something in the
thought OF his remembering my TO.
mantle within touched me.
NO. have Just como from
there-the lodge-but the old won
an at the gates wouldn't let me In"
He looked interested. Nor But
why not1"
The master of tho house has
Just died." explained. 1T would
be terrible breach OF etiquette To
go Sightseeing over the mourning
acres"
Maitland Tait's lips closed firm.
~. "Nonsensel I'll venture that's
Just n servants whim." He slipped
out his watch. shall 20 over and
try TO beg or bride permission for
you? I'm not easily daunted by
their refusals. and--rll have little
time TO spare this morning. II you
care to put your marooned period
to such a use"
Il am msrooned," | told him
and ] should like this. OF course
above anything else that England
has TO offer. but"
Then, after his precipitate fash
ion. he waited for no more. He
paused at the edge OF the platform
for a low-toned colloquy with Col
lins-I could easily distinguish nov
| that tho liveried creature was Col
lins-and the two disappeared dowr
the track. After tho brlefest delay
he returned.
What can't be cured must be-
ignored" he said with a shrug, al
he came up. "The poor old woman
regards us as very impious and
American, but made everything
all right with her"
But how started to inquire
also at the same moment startinf
down the track toward tho lodg,
house, when he stopped both my
! oucaf ion and my uropraaa