The Press., 1920-09-30
(Copyrfght.)

gers arm and scraps of their cOnver- sation fioated to my ear. You might have forgotten me-" And yet" he said, "it was a long time ago you were a child. But you have the mark still, I see?" And his gaze rested on a little scar on the girls white brow-the mark of cut, almost, but not quite obliterated. "Yes, have 1t still. I think I shall carry 1t always"
 "Six years p he said softly. Ut is long time. But you were not Miss Kingston then-you were only Loo.'" Shall we rest little? I am tired" Her face was white, and there was a sorrowful appeal in the wistful, dark eyes.
 I watched them disappear down a corridor decorated with greenery and fairy lamps, until 1t looked like piece of some enchanted palace, then the final crash of the music broke my dreamings.
 Surely I had been dreaming! Loo, quiet, houselike Loo, couldn't have such romance in her life! This hand some soldier couldn't have cherished her image all that time? Six years Why, she was not sixteen! That was when she had first become one of us at Mime. Ollendorf's; her fathers regi- ment had been ordered abroad, and the child, who had hitherto been his con- panion, was placed in madame's care during his absence. She was a child it was not possible.
 ''This Is ours, Miss Man."
 Major Whitaker stood before me, large, pompous and good-natured. As I placed my fingers on his arm-the major always liked to go Ion parade" before he began his gyrations-I men, tally compared the two men, and won- dered again how Loo's engagement had come about.
 ''I see Brevet is back again." he re- good soldier. Deserves all the honors he has got, 'pon my soul, he does!'
 'Yes?" I acquiesced, readily, seeing that he alluded to the stranger. "You know him, then?"
 "Oh, yes he was at one time in my regiment. I know his people well. Now that he's home safe and sound I SUD- pose he'll be taking wife, but doubt whether he'll fall in with the arrange ments very readily". The major chuckled.
 Arrangements" queried. "He Is engaged?"
 His wife was chosen for him long ago." returned the major "she was his mothers ward, but the lad suddenly developed will of his own and an- nounced his intention of choosing his own bride.
 Ut must have been six years ago, should think-perhaps more," contin- ued the major. His mother was anx- ious for the engagement to be brought about, and there was scene, remem- ber. The lad came to me afterwards.
 "Look here, major,' he said, hotly, I'm not boy. and I can choose my own wife: In fact'-aad he colored like girl-T've chosen her already. I don't mind telling you I've seen the only girl I'll ever marry. and she isn't my mothers choice!"
 Right you are, my lad said I. Choose your girl and stick to her. Where did you meet her?
 ''Then 1t came out that he hadn't even been introduced to her. He'd. saved her from something-Im sure I forgot what-he knew she was small and dark, and had pair of honest eyes that had gone straight to his heart, but her name-well he only knew her Christian name. and he did n't tell me that! But" concluded the major triumphantly, ''he's stuck to his guns, and he's in love with his dark eyed Mystery Sstill. There's twentieth century romance for you! Let me get you some refreshment?"
 let him go in silence. had lis tenedto his story In breathless excite ment Of course, Loo was the heroine, and he had found his clark eyed Mys- tery!" I recalled the scraps of their conversation: "YOl have the mark Stil--" remembered how that mark had excited our schoolgirl curiositY and Loo had been raised to the rank of heroine as she related how she had narrowly escaped cruel death ill the street and handsome unknown had been her salvation. I pieced it all to- gether, and felt as though I were traitor to the kindly major to leave him in ignorance yet how could tell him?
 The supper room was crowded. and after much skillful maneuvering he piloted me to distant window which opened onto small balcony. As we gained this desirable and, as we be- lieved, deserted haven the murmur of voices showed the balcony was occu- pied, and the next moment a mans words came through the open window.
 Impossible, Loo? Why7 Because you do not know me?"
 No. Oh, say no more. IT." her voice ended in a sob.
 "I have startled you, dear. But if you knew how I have searched for you, and now to find you here-'
 Don't! Don't!" she cried. "I may not listen-I anl-engagedl"
 Then there was silence. silence I dared not break. The major stood us If turned to stone, and I, though would have fain run away. was power-