Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-05-20

you're afraid, are youi Well, be
quiet, or I'll do It."
Then she ground her teeth, deter
mined.
He was silent for some minutes.
Then he tried her on another tack.
I'VE may have mutual acquaint-
ances," he ventured. II haven't told
you my name. It is Crosby" He
paused. Carol Crosby"
"What! The painter7 don't be-
lieve you"
He drew forth card.
please" he said pleadingly.
She was intent on being intent upon
her book, but he had her now. She
couldn't help being curious. She read
r.. A. upon the card. Her rudeness
came over her with qualm.
T-pve heard about you from the
.Bensons," she said humbly. "I'm so
sorry"
Sorry that you've heard about me"
He laughed to put her at her ease.
"You mean the Hyland Bensons, sup
pose. I know his landscapes"
They're the people that are to meet
me 1T Florence" Barbara whimpered.
1--WE been rude. You'll think me aw-
full. But"-here her spirit sprang to
elf-dcfense-"you know what you sug-
gested."
"You believe me now to be gentle
man of honOr?"
ooh, don't! That isn't kind. 1t
hurts"
Forgive me-" Crosby said. "But /
want you to understand me. had,
md still have, a very good reason for
asking you to stop off with me Mt Pra-
to. The Fra Filippo Lippis were only
an excuse"
"The reasOn?"
There was a furry in Barbara's
breast. Was he going to be foolish,
after all? Other men had been fool
ish; they had even praised her turned
up nose. But she knew she wasn't
pretty; at least. she didn't think so.
1T is not personal one" Crosby an
swered.
And Barbara-she didn't know why
was little hurt.
"What is 1t, then"
II cannot tell you; but it Is a very
potent one. I beg you to believe me
when I say that 1t is necessary--really
necessary-that you leave this train
with me at Prato."
II don't see why"
"Then l shall 60 with you to Flor
ence."
Barbara wondered.
"But that wouldn't do as WELL" he
added gravely. IF you will get out
with me at Prato-and you must-1
shall tell you the reason as soon as the
train has left the station"
"Why not now"
81 have told you that cannot. The
next train for Florence will be along
in couple of hours. will telegraph
the Partridges. While you are waiting
shall stay with you, or leave you,
just as you choose. My purpose will
then be fulfilled"
His purpose!
Are you trying to see II you can
command me?" Barbara asked him
sharply. "Men are strong; but women
are stubborn"
II don't command; beg. You will
thank me. The Partridges will thank
me. A gentlem \ would never be as
rude as I have been unless he had
good reason"
The word rude" stung her.
Here's Prato now. Will you trust
me?" His eyes joined his voice In
pleading with her.
Barbara had never yet been beaten
by a man. Her pride still bristled up
when the train put on the brakes.
"Won't you trust mer he asked
1t as favor.
She wondered now If she would
yield. The train clattered to q full
stop. Crosby opened the door Of the
compartment.
Come" he said, commanding.
Barbara followed him. He said
nothing till the train had gone.
"Will you tell me why I'm here"
Barbara asked him pertly.
Eyes. But want to compliment you
first upon your fortitude. An English
girl would have acted differently. II
had known you from the first, !
might have decided not to speak to
you, after ALL"
/ "You don't like mel" said Barbara.
''That's too bad"
II like you very much" he answered.
"Did you make me get out just to
tell me that7"
mo"
"Why, then2"
did you notice that italian in the
CARP
ut is not my custom to notice stran-
gers" Then she added, to soothe away
the sting: Especially when they are
foreigners asleep"
"He wasn't asleep" said Crosby.
"His hat was down. You couldn't see.
I sat opposite. His throat was cut
from ear to ear"
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