The Mena weekly star., 1919-12-18
=iIIIIIlIIlIiIIliIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIiIII Copyright, iois, The Bobbs-Merriil Company
 Continued from a previous issue)

He used her name without prefix, but without familiarity; simply as a corollary to his stark frankness. She realized this almost subconsciously. Her thoughts fingered on the substance of what he had said, but when she spoke she proved herself a woman. Speaking of names what is yours| she asked.
 Mine? My name?" said the man, startled out ef his roie. He stared absently through and beyond her. Why haven't anyhow. Not that amounts to anything" His eyes came back to her. "Call me Mir. White Man as you have begun-just White Man when you feel genial. if you ever do."
 'Well, Mir White Man." said Andrea, with emphasis, what you said about ruin didn't pass quite over my head. I believe you spoke with genuine sin cerity and that, as you doubtless re- member, is conversational bad taste. Somehow it didn't bore me, but do you really think that women are persuaded by words?"
 The man dropped his eyes. "No," he said listlessly. T don't. I know, but had forgotten, that women are persuaded by love alone"
 "Whatl" cried Andrea.
 Women" said the man, "know no conversion except through love"
 T have no interest whatever in your distractions" said Andrea angrily. q don't care what you think on any sub ject under the sun. At this moment there is only one thing that concerns me-only one" She turned from him, threw her bare arms across the table and dropped her face against them. What is to become of me? What do I care about women? care about myself, about Andrea Pellor."
 q am glad that you do." said the man, and added grimly, If you cry, if you even start to cry, I shall go to bed"
 Andrea threw back her head and turned her face toward him. "I am not crying" she said quietly, land will not"
 Her anger had died and in Its place had come into her eyes something ter ribly potent, the unforgettable look of hunted thing at bay.
 q want to ask you" continued An drea, Ito implore you. to take me back. If not tonight, then tomorrow. Flying or on foot, if only we could start now. will say that it has all been my fault. that you did nothing beyond what I asked you to do in bringing me with you, if only-if only you will take me back. Will you?"
 The man clenched his teeth. ''I would if I could. I've told you that already" he said almost in a whisper. Then his voice grew clearer and colder. Tt would take eight days by any means at my disposal-eight days there and eight days back. l can't afford it and nothing would be saved or gained as far as you are concerned. It would only entail a loss l have no right to give"
 His mood hardened Andrea's. You mean that when it comes to choosing between my personal loss and yours, you see no reason to hesitate"
 The man flushed under his tan and his eyes gleamed as though her words had given them new life. Mine would not be a personal loss" he said. 'I am not loafer nor am here for my pleasure"
 q see,' said Andrea. My life against the interests of your employer. Are you foreman?"
 He shrugged his shoulders and ig- nored the question. "Your life?' he said. What are you worth, after all2 The best specimen of woman in this camp represents an investment on the part of the husband of two pounds