The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-05-17

as Peter Trait says, what do you
know about that?"
Miss Carteret knew nothing what
ever about that, and owned her igno-
rance with a look Of blankness that
earned an lndulgcnt chuckle.
Confess you have never heard of
me. But that's only because you're
English"
"Oh, but I'm notw Miss Carteret
insisted impulsIvely. "My mothers
parents We're English: but L"
Here she choked in undisguised dis
may. But her companion wasn't look
| ing--didn't. indeed, need to look: such
is the resource of one ripe in the
knowledge of humanity.
go on, my dear. Tell me alias
well now as later. You will, anyway,
in the end-and If you don't, I'll en-
gage to find you out for myself. By
the way, your name would help"
lid" Miss Carteret announced in
coherently, stopping abruptly as
though half-choked by the monosyl-
liable.
How very oddw commented Mrs.
Beggarstaff with a straight face. "Mlss
Lid! Almost as bizarre as Beggar-
staff. But that's my own fault:
married 1t with my hearing unim-
paired. But Lid! l never"
my name isn't Lid" the girl in
terrupted Indignantly. 81 never said
so. Something was tickling my throat.
My name is Lucy Carteret."
"Sorry / mlsunderstood-and glad.
Lucy Carteret's much prettler and-ah
human. The Maryland Carterets, I
hope?"
"Oh, no." said the girl hastily.
"Too bad; it's a good family. Let
me see-there are no Carterets worth
mentioning in New York. Virginia
branch, perhaps?"
"Oh, no."
The iterated denial was less bold
than its original; Miss Carteret was
beginning to be sorry she hadn't wait
| ed for later steamer, as well as that
she had thought 1t necessary, not to
say romantic, TO adopt pseudonym to
fit the initials on her luggage.
"Then you can't be anybody" Mrs.
Beggarstaff asserted vigorously. "Too
bad. Unless possibly" she frightened,
"you come of the English family2
There are believe, some Carterets In
Hertfordshire-"
mol" the prosecuted young woman
said firmly. 81 told you l was an
American-and If the matter is of any
importance. I'm perfectly willing to
admit I'm nobody"
"Don't be cross with an inquisitive
old woman, my dear" The Beggar'
stafiian smile was very fetching. Miss
Carteret's indignation melted before 1t
"pm only trying to find out If we
haven't friends in common. Who are
your friends on board? / know every
body, and"
"rm travelling alone" the girl inter
posed meekly, land to the best of my
knowledge / don't know soul on the
ship"
Mrs. Beggarstaff chose shrewdly Il
disapprove. "That's not right Your,
too young and good-looking to trave
without at least chaperon. These
transatlantic boats are all alive will
adventurers. Luckily, you now have
me-unless, perhaps, you're too high
spirited to utilize an old woman's In
terest?"
"You're very kind" Miss Cartere
murmured-not altogether insincerely
She was too intelligent to be blind tt
the advantage of having so thorough
paced a Dowager Dragon to protect
and advise her. And she was any
thing but anxious to incur ill-will by
refusing an offer that, however for
ward, seemed unquestionably to b,
dictated by the kindliest spirit.
'Tm glad you think so-or have thu
grace to say so, at least. So that.
settled. Now tell me more about your
self. Is this your first crosslng?"
'It,s my first trip home"
Plainly no help for 1t: with this per
sistently friendly body catechizing her
she might as well now as later stan(
and deliver some account of herself.
"Your first trip home? That means
you've been over a long time"