Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-07

U1uUlUieu, WOHucTIuk INV tNc uCuCc HV
was going to get home. His examine
ton OF the ankle hadn't proved greatly
encouraging
"But l--ah--how did It happeny'
"A mere misunderstanding" he said
lightly. al mistook the gentleman for
someone knew. He resented It, so
We started to scrap ike couple Of
schoolboys. Then =. ! wish Il
heaven IT had been his leg insteFd O
mine"
"But stiil ! hardly understand, :
swell, you see. I--ah--rm visiting
Ember-the cottage next to yours,
\ believe. That 10, X I'm not mistaken
you have the Fiske placer
She nodded.
"And so, this morning, II struck me
as fine young idea to swim over here
! and have look at the beach And
then found that chap watching your
That startled her. "How do you
mean--watching met"
"Why--ah--that's what no seemed
to be doing"
She shook her head. "You must b
mistaken"
"Daresay. generally am When ]
jump at conclusions. Anyway, hs DIDN'T
like It much when called him ont u
his name. gathered, In fact that he
was considerably put out. Silly. wasn't
IT."
'Rathef!" she agreed sravely.
For moment or two they eyed one
another In silence, Whitaker wonder
ing just how mich OF fool she was
thinking him and obviously consider
ing various expedlents to ingradate
himself.
II don't seem to think Of anything
useful to say" he ventured. Can you
help me QUIT Unless you'f be inter
ested to know my names whitaker
Hugh Whitaker
She acknowledged the information
merely BY a brief nod. 1T seems 70
mo-" she said seriously. that the
pressing question IL, what are you 60
Ing to do about that anklei Shall
you be able to walk r
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.
II don't suppose" he said with ef-
fort-'.they grow--crutches-on this
neck of land?"
And he was about to collapse agnin
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. l say" he protested feebly.
"Don't say anything" she replied
shortly. I'm very strong-qulte able
to help you TO the boat. Please don't
consider me at all Just see II We can't
manage this way"
he endeavored to withdraw his arm
an effort rendered futile by her cool,
firm grasp on his fingers.
pleased" she said--not altogether
patiently.
He eyed her askance. There was in
this incredible situation 4 certain pr
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 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 . frigid
voice.
He looked away In complete confu-
sion, and felt his face burning to the
temples.
Il beg your pardon" he mumbled I'M
happily.
He essayed to walk. Twenty feet
and more Of treacherous. dry, yielding
sand separated them from the flight of
steps that assembled the bluff. 1t
proved no easy journey.
The stairway accomplished, he
limped to a 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
head. y
THUS far and no farther"
"Oh, but you must not be stubborn I"
II mean to be-hOrrid stubborn. In
fact, don't mind warning you that
there's q famous strain Of mule In the
Whitaker makeup"
She was, however, not to be divert
ed and her fugitive frown bespoke Inn
patience. II he were any Judge.
what wished to convey was sim
ply my intention no longer to bsar my
masculine weight upon 4 women-ei-
Their you or any other woman"
A smile contended momentarily with
the sfrown. and triumphed brilliantly.
II mean 70 ask you" he said DELHI
erately, ITO whom am Indebted"
To his CONSERVATION the smile van
ished, As though cloud had sailed be-
fore the sun. Doubt and something
strongly resembling incredulity In
formed her glance.
DO you mean to say you don't
known she demanded after moment.