The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-19

| E8Bef as she was 10 look OVel
into the country beyond, the CIR
dropped into second place. and
made no complaint about the
wary slowness of her compan'
ions advance. She found this
most difficult parts of the ascent
quite easy after her training on
the tree-ladder.
AS they neared the crest Blake
turned to offer her his hand UP
the last lodges, and in an instant
they gained the top. Desolate
swamps we're stretched away to
the southwest as far as the eye
could see. Miss Leslie did not
speak until Blake led her down
behind the shelter of the crest
lodges.
Whats the matter?" he de-
manded. Didn't I warn your"
She looked away to hide the
tears which sprang into her eyes.
II can't explain-only, 1t makes
me feel 500 lonely!"
We'll, l don't know. II II
wasn't for the fever that's bound
to come with the rains, I. for one,
would Just as leave stick to this
camp right along. providing the
company don't change"
She turned upon him with
flashing eyes, all thought of eau
tion lost in her anger. How
dare you say such a thing! You
are contemplate! despise
you!"
MY, Miss Jenny. but you are
pretty when you get mad" he
exclaimed.
The answer took her complete
ly aback. He was neither angry
nor laughing at her, but met her
defiant glance with candid, sober
admiration She looked away and
stammered lamely, "You - you
shouldn't say such things, you
know"
why not? Hasn't everything
been running smooth the last few
days? Haven't we been good
chummy comrades. OF course
you've got the worst of the deal.
/ know I'm not much on fancy
talk: but I'm only trying to give
you an idea what it means to a
fellow to be with a lady like you.
Maybe it isn't polite to tell you
all this, but it's just what l feel.
and | never did amount to shucks
as liar
Il believe understand you,
Mr.. Blake. and really feel high
ly complimented."
mo. you don't, any such thing,
Miss Jenny. Own up now! III /
met you tomorrow on your papa 8
doorstep, you'd cut me cold"
"Mr. Blake, really you are most
unjust! l could not be 500
ungrateful, after all your kind
ness I've should certainly be
glad to number you among our
friends"
Drink and all. eh?"
Miss Leslie looked away. visi-
bly, distressed.
That's it," growled Blake.
Throw me down cold, Just be-
cause I'm square enough to tell
you straight out. You make me
tired. I'm not one of the work.
OK sort, that can chew the cud
all the year round, and cork the
blood out of their brains. I've
got to cut loose from the infer
nal grind once in a while, and
barring a chance now and then
at opera, there's never been any
thing but spree"
"Oh. but that's so dreadfully
shocking, Mr.. Blake!"
And then like all the other
little hypocrites, you'll 60 and
marry one of those swell dudes
who's made that sort Of thing his
business. and everybody knows
1t. but it's all politely under
stood to've been done sub rosa,
so it's all right, because he knows
how to part his name In the mid
die and"
please. please stop, Mr..
Blakei You don't know how
cruel you are!"
"Oh, now, don't go and cry!
Please don't cry. Miss Jenny!
Can't you see how it's going to be
ten times worse for me after
with you SO altogether beyond
me" He stopped short, flush
ed, and stammered lamely, Il
didn't mean to say that!"
She looked down, no less en-
barrassed.
please let us talk Of some
thing else," she murmured.. ut
has been such a pleasant morn
ing, until you--until we began
this silly discussion"
"All right, all right! really
didn't mean to rip out that way
at all. But, you see, the things
been ranking in me ever since
we came aboard ship at the Cape,
and WINTHROP and Lady Bay
rose had my seat changed 30 /
couldn't see you. Not that l
hold anything against them
now"
There's a grove Of cocoanuts
yonder," he abruptly changed the
subject. Come on, I'll get some
nuts"
CHAPTER XII.
n L..