The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-18

Continued From Our Last issuel
CHAPTER WIN.


(continued From Our last issuol
CHAPTER YIN.
The Storm
TT WAS several DAYS later That
Miss Leslie. returning from her
- egg gathering. found Blake put.
ting the finishing touches 10 door
for her private sleeping cave.
The first barrier that he had con
structed he had torn away. and In
its stead be had constructed door
OF solid bamboo. interviewer with
thorns In such a manner that the
sharp spikes we're all on the out.
side. This whole was balanced on
a orossbar IN tho middle. and swung
on this as on u pivot On tho In.
aide he had arranged bar and
socket that. dropped In place. sc
cured the girl absolutely from all
intruders.
but It's absurd for you to go 10
all this needless work" rhe pro.
tested. mot that do not appro.
ciste your kind thought FOR ms
safety. Yet look at your hands,
Blake FASTENED TO put his bleed
Ing hands behind him.
They are no sight for a lady"
ho muttered. apologetically, Hut
first. | want TO make sure you un.
derstand fastening the door. Try
the bars yourself"
She obeyed. sliding the bars IN
and out until he nodded his salts.
faction.
Good" he said. Now promise
mo you'll slide 'cm fast every
night"
III you ask Il. Hut WHY"
Il want TO mako perfectly safe. "
Safer Hut am | no, secure
with
/ Look here. Miss Leslie. promise
ma straight you'll lock up tight
every night
Very we'll. promise" responded
the girl, not a little troubled by the
strangeness OF his expression.
/ lie turned at once. swung open
the door and went out. During sup
per he was markedly taeiturn. and
Immediately af,erward went Off 10
his bed.
That night Miss Lcsiic dutifuily
fastened herself In with all six bars.
She Weakened at dawn. and fastened
out TO prepare hlako's breakfast,
but she found herself too late
There we're evidences that he had
eaten and gone off before dawn.
She bit hcr lip In her disappoint
ment. for she had planned TO show
him how much she appreciated bis
absurd but wcll.meant concern for
her safety. As u Was. he had gone
off without a word, and left her 10
the questionable pleasure OF a tcte-
atet. with WINTHROP Hoping TO
avoid this. she hurried her prepare.
lions for a day on the cliff Hut
before she could get OF Ninthrope
aaun,ered up and began TO speak
very rapidly. Miss Gcncyieye. l.
I wish TO apologize. I've thought II
over. I've made a mlstake-f-f
mean my conduct tho other day was
vile. utterly vile' Permit tho TO ap.
peal to your consldcratcnesa.
Tho giri threw on, her hand in a
little gesture OF protest.
"I'ii do what you ask III make
allowances for your-for your feel.
inxs toward me. and will try 20 for.
get all you said the other day Let
me begin by asking favor of you.
"Ah. Miss Gencvieyc. anything. to
be SIRE. that I may do
"ft Is that wish your opinion.
When Mr. Blake finished that alb.
surd door last evening. he would not
tell me Why he had built it--only a
vague statement about my safety"
"Ah, lie did not, go into particu
lars7" drawied winthrope.
mo. not even a hint. and he
looked so-odd."
winthropc slowly rubbed his sof,
palms ono upon tho other.
DO you-er--rcally desire TO
know his--the motive which actu.
ated him." he murmured.
u should not have mentioned II
"a you II did not" she answered.
Weller" lie hesitated and
paused for a full minute. Il will be
ain BY explaining that have known
llt since the tiFsf
known what3"
"of that bound-of-er-Bl ake's
trouble"
''Trouble7"
"Ahi Perhaps I should have said
affliction: yes. that II the better
word. To own the truth. the fellow
has some good qualities. II was no
& "a ha~ Ae -
his better moments"
Better moments7 Mr.. Win
thrope. | am not child In Justice
both to myself and to Mr.. Blake, /
must ask you TO speak out plainly"
My dear Miss Leslie. may first
ask II you have not observed how
strangely At times the fellow acts
looks odd as you put it-how he
falls into melancholla or senseless
lrages7 | may truthfully state that
he has three times threatened my
life"
Il thought his anger quite
natural. after | had so rudely-and
so many people are given TO brood.
ing. But II he was violent 10 you
MY dear Miss Geneyieve. | hold
nothing against the miserable fel.
low. At such times he In not--er-I
responsible. you know. Let us give
the fellow full credit-that is why
he himself built your door"
on. but ! can't believe Il, n
can't believe IT," cried the girl
It's not possible, He's so strong
SO true and manly. so kind, for all
/ his gruffnessl"
"Ah. my deari" soothed Win.
thrope. that is the pity OF t. But
when man must needs be hts
worst enemy. when he must needs
lead certain hind OF life. he must
take the consequences. To put Il
as dellcately as possible, yet OK.