The evening world., 1916-05-31

tionatcly to her companion's arm.
This put Silas in mind Of his billet.
Ten minutes hence" thought he.
land may be walking with as beau
tiful a woman as that and even bet
ter dressed-perhaps q real lady, pos
sibly a woman Of title"
And then he remembered the SPELL
ing and was a little downcast.
But It may have been written by
her maid" he imagined.
The clock was only a few minutes
from the hour. and this immediate
proximity set his heart beating at a
curious and rather disagreeable speed.
He reflected with relief that he was
IN no way bound TO put IN an appear
ance. Virtue and cowardice were to-
gethcr. and he made once mere for
the door, but this time Of his own
accord and battling against the
stream OF people which was now
moving In a contrary direction. Per-
haps this prolonged resistance wear
led him, or perhaps he was in that
frame Of mind when merely to con-
tinue in the same direction for a cer-
tain number OF minutes produces a
reaction and different purpose. Ger
tainly. at least, he wheeled about for
a third time, and did not stop until
he had found a place of concealment
within q few yards OF the appointed
place.
Here he went through an agony
OF spirit, In which he several times
prayed to God for help. for Silas had
been devoutly educated. He had now
not the least inclination for the meet
ing; nothing kept him from flight
but a silly fear lest he should be
thought upmanly, but this was so
powerful that 1t kept head against
all other motives, and although 1t
could not decide him TO advance, pre-
vented him from definitely running
away. At last the clock Indicated
ten minutes past the hour. Young
Scuddamore's spirit began to rise; he
peered round the corner and saw
no one at the place Of meeting:
doubtless his unknown correspondent
had wearied and gone away. He be-
came as bold as he had formerly
b been timid. 1t seemed to him that
however late, he was clear from the
charge Of cowardice. Nay. now he
began to suspect hoax, and actually
complimented himself on his shrewd-
ness in having suspected and out
outmanoeuvred his mystifiers. So
very idle a thing Is boys mind!
Armed with these reflections, he ad-
vancsd boldly from his corner, but
he had not taken above a couple Of
steps before a hand was laid upon
his arm. He turned and beheld a
lady cast in a very large mold and
with somewhat stately features. but
bearing no mark of severity in her
looks.
II see that you are very self
confident lady killer" said she; FOR
you make yourself expected. But
was determined to meet you. When
o woman has once so far forgotten
herself as to make the first advance,
she has long ago left behind her all
considerations Of petty pride"
Sias was overwhelmed by the size
and attractions Of his correspondent
and the suddenness with which she
had fallen upon him. But she soon
set him at his ease. She was very
towardly and lenient in her behavior;
she led him on to make pleasantrics,
and then applauded him to the echo.
and in very short time. between
Establishments and liberal exhibit
ton of warm brandy, she had not
only induced him to fancy himself
In love. but to declare his passion
with the greatest vehemence.
'Alas!" she said: Il do not know
whether I ought not to deplore this
moment great as Is the pleasure you
give me by your words. Hitherto
was alone to suffer; now, poor boy
there will be two. l am not my own
mistress. | dare not ask you to visit
me at my own house. for | am
watched by jealous eyes. Let me
see" she added: Il am older than
You, although so much weaker; and
while | trust in your courage and
determination, must employ my
own knowledge of the world for our
mutual benefit. where do you livo?"
h. in a