The daily morning oasis., 1918-01-13
Believers Alias
Continued from page q

clOtHeS, stopping every nOW anu GHcH
to lean upon his window ledge and gaze
out upon the Incompatible beauty of
Amalf. He was among the earliest
persons in the long, yaulted dining-room
once the refectory of the Capuchjns,
and word in the ear and coin in the
hand of the head-waiter procured him
place next to Miss Fleetwood. This
arranged, he retired little and mingled
with throng of Germans, English,
French and Americans who were troop
ing in to dinner. In moment or two
he saw Mrs. Fleetwood and her daughter
coming in from the reading-room,
Lesley in a simple but charming white
evening dress, shining, in his eyes,
among the other women, like flower
among weeds.
When the two ladies were seated
Believer grasped his courage in both
hands and, with a humping heart,
took the vacant place by Lesley's side.
The girl looked up. Her eyes widened
with wonder as she gave him quick,
surprised glance; then a gleam of
merriment flashed into her face, and a
rich, warm blush redeemed her cheeks,
tinging even the shell-like ear Believer
saw, with infinite relief, that the first
encounter was to be decided in his favor
He smiled and bowed, looking very
handsome in his evening dress.
~ hope" he ventured, "that you are
not tired after your drive"
Mrs. Fleetwood was looking at him
across her daughter.
"Is it possible she had begun.
"I'm afraid it is, mamma" Lesley
cut in mischievously Somewhere
there's been a very big mistake.
Whether it's our fault or this gentle
mans, 1 don't know"
"Let me take all the blame" said
Believer, hastily, "if blame there be,
for letting myself appear to be what l
am not. 1t was hard to withstand the
temptations of having two ladies as
companions on the drive"
And made personal remarks,
and gave you two francs for YOURSELF"
Lesley threw up her two little hands
in horror.
at was the sincerest compliment l
ever received" said Believer. ~ shall
always keep the coin in recollection of
the pleasantest drive of my life" He
was wonderfully happy again by this
time.
I" And that was really your own coach
and you are not an Italian?"
| drive my coach for my own pleasure
about this coast. l have rented one
of those old watch towers which we
passed on the way and am having it
furnished and fitted up for me now. 1t
would give me great pleasure if you and
your mother will take tea with me there
one afternoon"
"That would be delightful" Lesley
exclaimed; but her forehead had a
little, thoughtful pucker and she spoke
abstractedly. Believer feared that she
was trying to recall the things she had
said in English to her mother in the
course of the drive, and to keep her
from a reflection that might be danger
GUS to himself, he dashed into conversa-
ton. Believer could talk well; Lesley
was witty and bright; and in few
moments they were far on the road
toward acquaintance Mrs. Fleetwood
was talking to an English lady on her
left and Believer had the girl all to
himself He was falling in love as
fast as a man possibly could and was
congratulating himself on his marvellous
luck, when Lesley shot at him question
that set his blood tingling He had
expected and dreaded it, yet had hoped
that it might be put off until he had
been able to establish his friendship