Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-08-17
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE


ing himself), and kent her in a state
Of amusement that .uded discour-
agement Of his eccentric wooing.
II want you to know me as really
am" he informed her on one occa-
sion. IF 1 should seem as sober-sided
and solemn as your next adorer, you'd
marry me in ignorance Of my true
character"
"But haven't the slightest intention
Of marrying you, Mr.. Trait"
'That's fine line" he commented
admiringly. what you heroines of
modern fiction would do without it
heaven only knowsl It's certain our
novelists don't, or they'd invent some
thing less stereotyped. But you
mustn't forget it really means nothing
in the first chapters. Along about
page three hundred and twenty-one
It's a signal either for the clench or
for the bouncer."
II do wish you'd talk sensibly in lam
guage I can understand"
"As for the language, II it cramps
your style, Miss Craven, believe me,
I'll slip the rollers under it and give
it the gate! But as for talking SEN
sibly-not I, not while sparring for
wind and trying to figure how stand
with you. 1t wouldn't be fair to snare
your affections with the impression
that the architect of my dome used
any building material more substan-
tial than funny-bones."
do you mean me to understand
you're incurably frivolous2"
Rather"
isn't 1t pretty poor recommenda-
ton for sutton to advance?"
do you think so?" He appeared
to ponder this gravely. But I can't
see that. Think how deadly life would
be with man who took everything
eriously-himself, for instance, and
the candidate for president on the Pro-
hibition ticket, and Lloyd George, and
-ah-the Anti-Woman Suffrage move
ment. There's only one thing I'm
ready to promise to take seriously.
Now pretend you don't get mel"
"You are quite, quite hopeless!"
"Wrong again: I was never more
hopeful. First thing you know you'll
be lying awake nights wondering If
I can possibly be as silly as sound,
and thinking what pity tits If true !;
and when you come to that stage, it'll
be all over but the rice and old shoes
and Niagara Falls"
Certainly you must be an incurable
optimist!"
"You think so2 I say, that's an aw-
fully good sign! You're thinking about
me already"
But Of the four 1t was Quoin who
most impressed Lydia's impressionable
Imagination. His seemed an individu-
ward, to which latency and indirection
must be altogether foreign. He was,
Lydia understood a criminal investi-
gator Of unusual attachments; yet he
utterly lacked every idiosyncrasy Of the
great" detective of fiction. He was
q long, lank man, with thin face of
strong features. His wide, thin lips
dropped quizzically at their corners.
And his eyes were dark and, normally,
deep with humorous expression. To
Lydia's notion he was the Yankee type
incarnate. but without that uncouth-
ness she had been bred to expect.
Because the Alsatia, cropping her
blind way at half-speed through wrap
pings Of fog ever more opaque, per-
sisted in making night hideous with
her unearthly whoop Of warning, the
concert all but fell fiat. Only era
ven's inexhaustible enthusiasm saved
the function.
When 1t was over Lydia, announc-
ing her intention of going to bed, de-
layed only to say goodnight to Peter
Trait on the upper companionway
landing, near the doorway to the port
side Of the boat deck. One-half of
this double door was open. Beyond
1t was nothingness-a fiat wall Of gray
but feebly tinted with artificial light.
Then, descending to the promenade
deck. she turned aft to her stateroom
and was about to enter when she
heard her name called in Craven's
voice, and-since she had left him only
few minutes before the center Of an
animated group in the music room
with pardonable surprise she discov.
cred the man coming swiftly toward
her from the after part Of the ship
"Just to say goodnight" he ex'
planned hastily, folding his daughter
In the tenderest Of embraces: and then
In a rapid whisper. Meet me on deci
this deck-to port-ifth stanchion
aft from the door-in an hour. II
anyone seems to be watching you. &c
backl" And again aloud, Goodnight
dear child. good-nightl" he murmured
fondly, releasing her, and hurried for.
ward.
|, Almost without her knowledge the
knob turned in Lydia's grasp; ant
when she found herself alone In that
dark stateroom her hands trembled
|, so with excitement that for a moment
she fumbled In vain for the switch.
iii Watch for startling develop
III l.