The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-10-31

German, but I've since learned was a
dialect I couldn't be supposed to I'M
derstand. All / got of it was stern,
'tDu must" which silenced the girl
completely.
1t was that-the callous rudeness
toward me, though at the moment he
was In the very act Of asking a great
favor--that nailed my resolution to
have nothing whatever to do with him
or his affairs. replied, the moment
I got the chance, "It is quite impos-
sible, monsieur. never share state
room with anyone"
"Ah, madame--.a child-a little child
alone, alone,"-he looked at me re-
proachfully. "What shall she make
alone on that long voyage? And COM
ing to your customs house in New
York; hear Eat zey are terrible-zat
ladies receive indignities beyond be-
lief-being stripped to re skin to be
searched by monsters in human FORM"
/ fiared up at this-our customs
house isn't anything to give one par
ticular pride, but it's nothing Indecent.
and told him very fatty 1t was not so.
In an instant of unreserve | men
toned that I had fourth cousin in
the service who always met me and
saw that / got through-he was in
charge of the inspector who examined
baggage on the line l always took.
"Ah, how excellent 1t would be for
Claire to accompany you" monsieur
exclaimed with feeling. "All her anxl-
ETY. would zen be set at rest by your so
estimable cousin. Surely you will not
refuse her to share your stateroom"
was exasperated again in minute,
I've got Quaker blood in me, and come
from a people whose yea is yea and
whose nay means shat settles it."
snapped out that my stateroom was
too small even for one, in comfort.
"But I shall most gladly engage &c
largest on board for you and my
daughter" he cried, Frightening. SIN
deed 1t is no more zan right Eat pay
re entire passage"
| Claire started and turned furiously
red. Child as she was, she had {
breeding and a delicacy Of feeling tina
her father lacked. AS for me, my eye!
were popping. I threw my napkin oil
the table and let this icicle slide of
my tongue: Monsieur, am perfect!
able to pay my way through the worlt
without the help of strangers" ant
with that rose, adding, II must sa,
farewell to you and your daughter.
have many things to attend to and m
friends are expecting me-"
Monsieur and Claire immediatel
followed my example In rising, mon
; sieur calling the garcon to bring tn
bill and telling Claire to go with m
to the saloon. AS she was leaving h
called her back for another commit
nication not meant for me to under
stand. She, poor child, wasn't equf
to the task he set, for she blurted on
very red in the face, Papa wants m
to beg you to take me with you
and then stopped and looked at tn
floor, for the smile she saw in m
face.
81 understand just how you feel, m
DEAR" said gently. you're too beal
tifully well bred to urge the grantin
of favor that has been and must b
refused"
"Oh, how did you know how felt
she gulped, looking up with her bl
eyes relieved of their embarrassment
"It's just how felt, and I'm ashame
that''-she bit her lip and kept bac
what she was going to say-that hi
father had asked it-and said, ar
Iessly, 81 love you"
She put up her face and we kisse
That one little moment-the feelir
that she was the real thing-kept n
believing in her later in spite of ever
thing, and when couldn't believe
her at all-except as the finished a
complete in detestable crime.
Monsieur lie pere hurried in.
glance quite plainly passed betwe'
them in which she told him it was !
use. Then he said the carriages we
outside, and he saw me into one al
gave the driver the name of the hot
/ told him, and was off in cloud
Y adieus and bows and hand-waves al
L whip-cracks and was presently at Z
IT | hofaI