The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-05-14

breath. Agatha was charming in her
"hIie serge skirt and short Goa belted
IN scarlet. Her tiny white felt hat
WIN It's pheasant's wing and her high
hootS Of while suede made her more
thnn ever one of his Illustrations.
IN a few minutes they left the trail
that led away from The camp, and
struck inward through the forest.
They walked on and on until the light
sifteh down dlmly through the tree
tops but they did not strike the
stream.
Agatha turned when she heard q
faint cry, Alice had slipped ana twist
ed her foot on a hidden stone. When
she reached her the girl was sudden
ly sick and dizzy.
The streams only a bit farther.
You stay with her and | will get some
water" the man said. When he came
hurrYing back to dash some of the
water IN the girls face she turned
away pertishly.
There's no reaSO to ruin my dress"
she complained. ooh, It hurts 80" she
began TO cry weakly; while the tears
made burrows down her pink cheeks
and left the rouge showing in gro
teSque spots.
WED better get back" the man
said, before II gets dark"
Tho thpaa made th.I. uro gInwIy
toward the trail, with Alice llmplng
painfully between them. Agatha
fancicd she heard Jere give a NUT.
tered damn" when Alice wept. "0h,
don't see why you brought me on
this horrid walk! And now you don't
know how 70 get back"
The darkness had fallen suddenly,
as II does in the north woods. and
Jere was doubtful Of his direction. He
looked comically AT Agatha and her
gray eyes broke into a twinkle "
laughter. 1--WE may have TO make a
night Of it," the man apolOglzed. "Of
course, they'll send out for us when
they discover we're lost. | ought not
to have brought you, hut | cont dare
take the risk Of leading you through
this wilderness without more light"
81 should say you shouldn't have
brought us !" Alice cried, her pretty
voice sharp now.
81 think it'll be rather a lark" The
man heard the smile in Agatha's voice.
Agatha helped him gather some dry
twigS for a fire and soon they lighted
the woods with a bright blaze. Alice
Sulked in the background; when she
did come near enough for the fire to
show the ravages that a few hours had
made in her appearance Agatha was
filled with pity. The water dashed on
her so unCeremoniously had taken the
careful wave from her hair, and hel
white cheeks we're stained with tears
And now that she had ceased to be
plquant and flrtatious, her charm wal
gone.
Alice refused the chocolate tina
Agatha had stuffed I'm her pocket ant
drew away from the freight. ,Jer,
and Agatha before the bluZe sal
munching chocolate. and the mar
looked ut his companion with new
eyes. She was Just as fresh as sht
had been when they left In the earl!
afternoon. Her eyes CLEANED across
NJ him with their friendly frank gaze
and the heat had lighted a roslness IL
her clear brown skin.
II was so dark now that the FIR,
alone lighted the woods with eerI,
shadows. Agatha. looking behind, saw
Alice huddled in a little heap asleep
Jere Warren took Off his coat and lalt
II over her gently. When he cam,
hack to Agatha there was a long ST
lence.
The man. lighting his pipe, frownet
down into It's bowl before he spoke
"Tve been a fool. Miss Holmes" l,
said. 81 took the glitter for the gold
and now | wonder Oh. I'm not goo
nj that sort Of thing. hut ! mean
wonder II a fellow would have
chance to he-your friendT
The rose IN Agatha's cheeks deer
ened before she answered. and her eye
were no less friendly II they held a new
shyness. 81 should think so, Mr.. War
ren-If that girl was L"
Far on they heard the sound Of
faint "Hallool HallOo! :"