Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-05-19

us without going to that extreme.
Meanwhile-you agree that these iew-
els must be returned?' ss-.
"Of course" she affirmed gently
"Then-will you accompany me
when ] replace them? There Won't be
the slightest danger. ! promise you
that. Indeed II would be moro Hazard
Gus for you to wait for me OF where
while ] attended to the matte. alone.
And I'D like you to be conyiuc. oeuy
sincerity"
Don't you think you can trust me
for that as well?" she asked with a.
fash OF humor.
Trust you!"
ITO believe. Mr.. Lanyard" she toId'
him earnestly, Il do believe
you make me very happy r. s8'II
but Id like you to see for ause.f|
And I'd be glad not to hay. 3 -ratI
about your safety in my o's.n.. tsat
bureau Of espionage, Pc. .u.t. lu. aIri
Of Apaches are without a pee. u Lu
rope. I'm positively afraid t1 '.1rgl
you alone"
She was silent.
"Will you come with nc, III, Shan
NOM"
That is your sole reason for ask
ing this OF me?" she insisted rgiu
him steadily.
That wish you TO bclicve l mo- |
yes"
"Why7" she pursued, honorable.
"Because-Ive already told elr."
That you want someCuo good
opinion to cherish. But why. Of all
people, me-whom you hardly know of
whom what little you do know IS hard
ly reassuring"
He colored. and boggled hi answer.
Il can't tell YOU" he admitted in the
end.
why can't you tell me?"
He stared at her miserably. I've no
right. In spite of all I've said. i'm
spite Of the faith you so generously
promise me. in your eyes I must still
figure as q thief. d liar. an iul0atnr-
self-confessed. Men aren't r.u.l- by
mere protestations, nor even '- their
own efforts, in an hour, or a day. or
week. But give me a year. IT ( can
live a year in honesty, and earn my
bread, and so prove my strength
then. perhaps, might find the eour-
age, the-the effrontery 90 tell you
why I want your good opinion Nov
I've said far more than meant or had
any right to. l hope he yeuJured
pleadingly. you're not offend
Only an instant longer could she
maintain her direct and uulMChine
look. Then his meaning would no
more be ignored Her lashos fell q
tide Of crimson flooded her face, and
with a quick movement, pushing her
chair little from the table she turned
away from him, But she said Moth
ing.
He remained as he had been bend.
ing eagerly toward her.
And in the long minute chat elapsed
before either spoke again, both D came
oddly conscious OF the silence brood
ing in that lonely little house OF their
isolation from the world, of their COM
mon peril and mutual dependence.
I'm afraid" Lanyard said alter a
time-"1'm afraid l know what YOU
must be thinking. One can't do your
intelligence the injustice TO imagine
you haven't understood me-r.aI all
that was in my mind and'-l.s voice
fell-"in my heart. | own that I was
wrong TO speak so trausparalt.y. 10
suggest my regard for you aJ such a
time, under such condition ] am
truly sorry, and beg you tn .-" .'or
unsaid all that should not have said.
After all. what earthly difference can
It make to you if one thief more de-
cides suddenly TO reform -
That brought her abruptly 10 her
feet, showing him a face Of glowing
loneliness, with eyes distract,agly
dimmed and softened.
"No!" she implored breathlessly.
Please. you mustn't spoil Il! You've
paid me the finest of compliments, and
one I'm glad and grateful for-and
would l might think deserved You
say you need year TO prove yOursolf?,
Then-I've no right 10 say this-and
you must please not ask mo what /
mean-then / grant you that year. \
year shall wait 10 hear from YOU
from the day We part, here in Paris
And tonight l will go with you, 100,
and gladly. since you wish me tor
And then as he, havins risen, stood
at loss. thrilled and incredulou7 With
a brave and generous Ea..r .1 f.
fered him her hand, across OBJ. table
whereon still rested the suo.l- Of his
nnal coup.
mfr, Lanyard promise
To every woman, even the legs. 'oye-
ly, her hour OF beauty had a en-
tered Lanyards mind to tl' his
woman beautiful until that Umgnt.
or her exotic charm OF the allure OF
her pensive, wistful prettu0 had
been well aware, even as ho h.i been
unable 70 deny TO himself tn.. P. vas
all for her, that he loved l.r H all
the strength that was his Pom I'LL