The Washington herald., 1921-04-24

fused her. the more because she was not
warding of something she felt she :
should ward OF. But minute before
she had thought to shift from this per-
sonal. intimate trend But It was o fas-
danser-more fascinating than
smoking cigarettes, She had resolved to
"swear or both. But II seemed she was
of swearing OF anything; even
II she knew that II held menace. She
enjoyt1 danger. However. now she made
herself say:
I'm cold. oughtn't we to turn backr'
"If you're cold. why turn back? There
are lot Of good warm restaurants along
here that are warm and much nearer
than home. why can't We stop out here
for dinner?"
And Perdits. though she had just made
resolve anew. agreed.
It was pleasant And warm and cory
and companionable. A big. softly lighted
room. nearly empty. and . log nrei crack
ling In the big fireplace. Lenmore had
assumed his boyish manner. He smiled.
so that his eyes seemed larger, hiuer.
'franker. SO that his mouth, with those
quick flashes of amazingly white teeth.
seemed the mouth of . boy And Perdita
once more responded to that smile. re-
sponded to his mood As he drifted into
"reminiscences of his adventurous career
the stories. as Leila had complained. no
one could make him tell.
I'D love. some time" said Perdita after
. while. ito get away from all this"
Her gesture vaguely took In the comfort
able roadhouse dining room. the ultra
civilized, sophisticated city, behind them
ITO get away to where life Is primitive.
not all clogged up with superhcialities"
She sighed. You know that. down un-
derneath, I have q restless sort Of cray-
ing. for something different. unexpected
Il don't know exactly what"
ct know" said Lenmore.
ct sometimes believe" she went on.
that I must have the soul Of an ad.
ventures"
81 am an adventurer."
And Perdita, tnouSn she q Just ioFe-
sworn dangerous intimacies. went on:
IF I ever want to adventure into the
jungle, can you recommend me . trust.
worthy suide?"
81 can recommend one by the name OF
Eric Lenmore."
Here she was at ID again. =,
The next day brought such . strange,
obscure uneasiness as Perdita had nevef
experienced before. She kept telling her
self that, IL Lenmore should telephone.
shed better make some excuse not to see
him-for . while. Then. as the hours
dragged and he did not call. her spirit
began to lose its clear resolve: she would
wait and see. But the hours continued to
drag. and he did not telephone.
The next morning she awoke with the
restless feeling stronger than ever. She
tried to practice. to do odd jobs Of mend
ing such as women utilize to compose
their hands and minds. but no use. She
began q letter to her father, who had
written that his heart was bothering him,
again, but in that mood 1t was impossi-
BILE to talk" to her father; the very
thought of him seemed to intensity her
uneasiness. Then . married friend tele.
phoned, asking II Perdita wouldn't like
to motor with herself and her husband
up into Connecticut; they were going te
close their summer place for the season
and would return In three or four days
On impulse Perdita said she would 60
the Worthens were older, quiet. kindly
people; q few days with them would
bring her back to herself. to repose.
But those few placidly dull days failed
to bring the repose she sought. The
weather. after its hrst hint Of winter
had turned mild against. Martins days
bit Of rain and mist now and then, bu'
very mild and full Of gorgeous autumn
color; red oak and yellow mountain ash
hung with crimson berries, and COLDER
popIars, backed by green laurel on thu
hills. But Perdita, who thrilled to beau
ty and splendor always, scarcely saw tn
Ioveliness around her; she was seeing I
- long, lean face with inserutsble eyes deel
q set in . network Of wrinkles, and.
mouth that made itself stern. so 1t coul,
change. niraculousiy, to the mouth Of I
teasing boy.
She got back to town on . crisp. brish
midafternoon. It was after o'cloci
that evening before the telephone RAM
and she heard. over the wire, the harsh
Iy melodious voice II seemed shed beel
waiting aeons to hear. She strove 4
make her own tone ordinary.
How did you know I was backf'
II didn't. But I've been calling u
-.an,ia.Ir auaru dax-fIsf hnnInG IA