The Pulaskian., 1917-01-26
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ance. lie IeiI tenderly or the injured member. "Only my ankIe-twisted il few days ago, and now again. It'll be all right in moment or two."
 Her gaze travelled from him to the edge of the bluff.
 q didn't see-I mean, heard some, thing, and turned, and saw you trying to sit up and the other man rising"
 "Sorry we startled you" Whitaker mumbled, wondering how the deuce he was going to get home. His examina- tion of the ankle hadn't proved greatly encouraging.
 .But I-ah-how did it happen?"
 "A mere misunderstanding" he said lightly. q mistook the gentleman for someone I knew. He resented it, so we started to scrap like a couple of schoolboys. Then I wish to heaven it had been his leg instead of mineT'
 But still I hardly understand :. :"
 Well, you see, I-ah-Tm visiting Ember-the cottage next to yours, believe. That is, if I'm not mistaken, you have the Fiske placer"
 She nodded.
 And so, this morning, it struck me as fine young idea to swim over here and have look at the beach. And then I found that chap watching you"
 That startled her. Flow do you mean-watching mel"
 "Why-ah-that's what he seemed to be doing"
 She shook her head. "You must be mistaken"
 "Daresay. generally am when l jump at conclusions. Anyway, he didn't like it much when I called him out of his name. I gathered, in fact, that he was considerably put out. Silly, wasn't it?"
 aRather!'' she agreed gravely.
 For moment or two they eyed one another in silence, Whitaker wonder ing just how much of fool she was thinking him and dubiously consider ing various expedients to ingratiate himself.
 T don't seem to think of anything useful to say" he ventured. "Can you help me out? Unless you'd be inter ested to know my names Whitaker Hugh Whitaker-?p
 She acknowledged the information merely by a brief nod. Ut seems to me- she said seriously, "that the pressing question is, what are you go- ing to do about that ankle? Shall YOU be able to walk?'
 "Hard to say" he grumbled. trifie dashed. With infinite pains and the aid of both hands and his sound foot, he lifted himself and contrived to stand erect for an instant, then bore a little weight on the hurt ankle-and blanched, paling visibly beneath his in- eradicable tan.
 T don't suppose" he said with eff fort-'they grow-crutches-on this neck of land?"
 And he was about to collapse again upon the sands when, without warning, he found the woman had moved to his side and caught his hand, almost brusquely passing his arm across her shoulders, so that she received no little of his weight.
 "Oh, I say-w he protested feebly.
 Don't say anything" she replied shortly. "Pm very strong-quite able to help you to the boat. Please don't consider me at all; just see if we can't manage this way"
 He endeavored to withdraw his arm, an effort rendered futile by her cool, firm grasp on his fingers.
 "Please!" she said-not altogether patiently.
 He eyed her askance. There was in this incredible situation a certain pi- quancy, definitely provocative, tran scending the claims his injury made upon his interest. Last night for the first time he had seen this woman, and from a distance had thought her desirable; now, within twelve hours he found himself with an arm round her neck!
 And then suddenly she turned her head and intercepted his whole-hearted stare. For a thought wonder glim- mered in the violet eyes; then they flashed disconcertingly; finally they became utterly cold and disdainful.
 "Well?" she demanded in a frigid voice.
 He looked away in complete confu- sion, and felt his face burning to the temples.
 T beg your pardon" he mumbled un- happily.
 He essayed to walk. Twenty feet and more of treacherous, dry, yielding sand separated them from the flight of steps that ascended the bluff. It proved no easy journey.
 The stairway accomplished, he limped to wooden seat and sat down with much grim decision in his man. ner. But he mustered smile to meet her look of concern, and shook his