American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-06-22
LONG DISTANCE.

Without the least warning, On inn
pulse of evaporation, Rodney Wrenn
all but lifted Patria off her feet, swing
ing her bodily from the thronged ball
room floor to the s~emlseclusion of a
deep window recess masked with
palms.
"NO-wait :" he insisted with per-
emptory gesture when, mastering her
surprise, Patrla drew herself up to
the full dignity of her inches and
made as II to pass him. you don't
get of so easily-not until you've ex-
planned what's come I'VE you tonight
to make you treat me like thls!'
"But l think It's for you to explain
by what right you make a fool of me
before my guests"
II can't help It. I'm sorry. but
you're driving me crazy. You don't
wear my orchids-you ignore the note
l sent with them-you've even got an
other mans roses at your waist
PARIS. l daresay :"
He paused and Patria was mOmen-
tarily discOuntenanced. Her glance
WINGED. and the boy bounced f%uriously
upon that betrayal.
"They are Parr's-curse him The
fellows bewitched you-that's the
whole trouble. You've lost your head
you're clean head over heels in
10
Rodney"
Patria fought with herself to deny
her anger. But suddenly with a ges-
ture half Of despair, half of rage. Rod
ney spared her further effort-turned
and left her, %plunging blindly back
across the crowded floor.
Promptly Patria forgave him. Glad
she had been spared the regret sure
to follow hard upon any exhibition of
her temper. glad of a little time alone,
she stepped quietly back through the
long window opening OF the veranda
Of her home and Immediately paused
In disappointment. not finding there
the privacy she had hoped for.
Near her window two men stood
talking. one faced her, a substantial
figure in evening dress. the other,
with back to her, a little mar Of fur
tive presence, oddly like the Japanese
whom Kitchener had bowled over in
the woods that morning.
She had hardly appeared by the
window when the man In evening
dress nodded pleasantly, as if termi-
mating a casual conversation. and the
other stepped. Instantly yet without
apparent haste, down 10 the lawn and
quickly disappeared amid the shad-
Ows of shrubbery.
The incident made little impression
upon her. But she was relieved to
see the remaining guest turn and leis-
urely sumter away.
AS he rounded the farther corner
OF the house, u shaft Of light from an
other window Identified his profile.
Enthusiastically as Baron Huroki's.
A light foOtstep sounded behind her;
she reused Ia dismay. striving to calm
a heart In panic.
"Mees Channing2'
Patria all but giggled with the
tion from her fear lest Captain Parr
had found her there, in a mood all too
melting.
els IL you. Senior de Lima2 How
fortuuatel l haven't had a real chance
TO speak 20 you tonight. but now"
Patria was startled to ind De Lima
so close beside her; HIS breath famed
her cheek.
"Mees Channing-Patria- l love
youi"
"Ah. but please"
"NO-listen to me. l beg you will
marry me. | am mad about you"
"You are mad indeed, Senior de
Lima. TO imagine I'd ever marry any
one but an American !"
"You will forget that-in my armsl"
Patria uttered "A slight cry. De
Lima had taken unto himself one OF
her hands and was covering 1t with
kisses.
AS II In answer to that cry. she