The Washington times., 1916-02-14
CONTINUED from Saturday,
Excess Baggage.

T HE crumped lunch cloth. bereft
Of the heavy basket that had so
mysteriously disappeared nut-
tered defiant corners on the
breeze.
Leaning against n rock. near the cave
entrance. Smiling Sam rubbed. a, big,
knotted hand over the bristly stubbie on
his chin. 1t was all coming too fast
for him. He was not as young. not
as agile. as In the old days. when quick
thinking ana quick moving came easy.
"a Red Circle ON June Travis handr'
he muttered over and over. t'How In
blazes can that be what---r'
He crept from the protection Of the
cavern mouth and peered around the
edge OF tho jutting rock, nearer to
Mary ana June Their excited CONVEX
| sation was carried on in high-pitched
tones that easily reached the hidden
listeners ears.
dof ali the queer things that keep
happening" Mary was saying impa-
tiently. II do declare II gets on a
D' III you lei 1t get on your nerves"
laughed June. .'it's rather fun-anythinG
mysterious Is fun"
n don't call Il mysterious combateo
Mary. when spend two hours in the
kitchen making the very kind OF cakes
your mother loves. and that awful NIX.
ture OF salad that you say you're Jusl
crazy about, and then 20 and have
them whisked from under my nose and
up INTO tho sky, for all l knowl'
throngl" chanted June. mischievousiy. I
That's not nice, pious talk!
Nary'a sudden lapse into Righteousness
made June Laugh merrily.
A. Aall naF ~ ruin
That's the reason you're being sucn AT
old crank" she gibed. My goodness
we've got more food In the house, anc
n we haven't, there are shops in Surf
ton. Can't you look at tho funny siu'
:''There isn't any funny side" Mar,
persisted. II had my mouth set roi
cold. deyiled crab that was left from
wei, then, get on your knees and
thank your lucky stars that some IN
visible being vanished with the basket
| Cold, deviled crab left from last night.
indeed why, II you had eaten II, mos
likely i would would have - been you; inste &c
Mary. your guardian angel stole thal
foo6.1 g
"oh. go long with your nonsense!'
exclaimed the irritated old woman.
June raised her right hand and point
ed down the beach.
"Is that a man carrying a basket. oil
do my eyes deceive mer
Expecting an indignant retort and
receiving none at all, made her glance
roguishly. from the corner OF her eyes
She found Mary's Mortified gaze fixed
on. her raised hand. The light left hel
face suddenly.
els It thereT' she asked. dreading tc
look ;.
Mary took hold OF the cold finger tin,
and pressed the marked hand against
her breast.
Eyes, It's there" she answered sadly
well. daughter of Circle Jim what
new mischief are you planning now?'
Smiling Sam uttered q quick, gasp
ing sound and ducl<ed behind the rocl
as the two women looked In his direc
tion. Cronched there. gripping ths
smoothly worn surface for support. HI
grinned.
Circle Jimt"
June Travis "tCircie JIm's" child
After all these years-with Jim dead
and the son he thought was his, dead
too. Memories crowded quickly into
Sans hunger-dulled brain. They
brought courage and defiance.
He Strengthened his cramped knee
and pulled himself up, cautiously. HI
could stfIl hear voices, but they seemed
farther away. He edged around the
rock again.
Mary was pulling at June's arm, urg
| Ing her TO go back to the house. June
her composure regained. was laughing
the old woman's fears away.
Please dear!' pleaded Mary. "Thai
| mark coming back again and agar
makes me. feel so helpless"
I'm not going to do anything. And
| I'll go back to the house with you Il
you want me to. might as we'll. any
way. as long as there's no sign OF oul