The Washington herald., 1921-04-03
BY Elizabeth Jordan.
y ILLUSTRATED BY PEDRO NJ DAMUZA.

she said. how do you account for their
pursuit-of your
He shrugged his shoulders. why,
they've got to catch some one TO take
care Of them" he explained in the pa
tient accents which were becoming so
familiar. And. as I've said. some Of en-
would like to get me into captivity and
tame me. Il suppose" he added slowly
and thoughtfully. some men have imag-
ined they wanted you-for the same res-
SON"
Arabela set her teeth.
Good night" she said between them
He stroIIed along the veranda with
her to the camp entrance.
Good night" he answered. lsnguidly.
Then a sudden thought seemed TO strike
him.
I'VE might form a kind OF alliance
he suggested. Defensive, you know.
That will keep the other fellows from
annoying you and
And Anne and Mary from pursuing
you?" interrupted Miss Dart cruelty No.
thanks. I'm going home tomorrow.
Somewhat to Arabellss surprise. she
did not go home tomorrow. In the peace
Of the night she had suddenly decided
that Richard Larkin needed a Iesson-a
big lesson. and that she. aided by her
two friends. would administer IL. Dur
her plan to Anne and Mary. who entered
into it with obvious pleasure.
1t was a very simple plan. The three
briefly decided that far as hospitality
permitted they would send Mr.. LArkin
to Coventry. He would be fed, housed
and entertained by young Capen and Bob
Hendricks, but far as the girls were
concerned he would exist for them only
when he was directly in their line OF
vision. and be addressed only when bare
courtesy demanded il.
Under three days Of this severe treat
ment Mr.. Lsrkin expanded like a thirsty
plant receiving water. He got all they
had planned and more, for il began TO
seem to Arabells that every spot she
occupied held Richard Lsrkin too. Morn
ing. noon. or night. he was near her. in
different abstracted. sbominably rude,
but ubiquitous.
This is the place for me-" he conhded
to her at the end of the fifth day. why.
it's simply great-almost as good as IL
we fellows were here alone
He had Joined ArabeIls down on the
rocks. where she had received him with
puckered brow and tired sigh.
You still feel that you are quite
s2fe?" she asked. tossing a pebble into
the calm sea and watching the widening
ripples that followed Her companion
gave the question a moments thought
why, no. not really safe" he con-
fessed at last. No man is ever safe with
any woman around, you know. At al
most any minute she's apt to decide that
she wants him-and then what chanc.
would q poor devil have in a place like
this-where there's only one boat .
day?"
He spoke in worried tones.
Perhaps you're taking a big chance
here with me now." suggested Arabeua-
her eyes still the water.
He looked st her in obvious alarm
then laughed nervously.
%. see you're Joking" he exclaimed.
But please don't do it. 1t gives a
sort of panic"
ArabeIla's eyes turned from the water
TO his dark handsome face.
i think" she said deliberately. that
you are the most detestable human being
l have ever met-the rudest. tho Snug
gest. the most priggish, the most con-
ceited. and with the least to be conceited
about"
He drew a deep breath.
"Ah. that's fine he said. That's great!
Now l know I'm all right--for this eve
ming at least" he added. as IL on q eau
tious afterthought
chosed on the words. that you-ihst
He raised q quieting hand.
%. you've been a little beast, all
right" he told her reassuringly. "Tll ad-
init that you are the most disagrccable
girl I ever talked to"
Then why" she chokcd why, in
heavens name, arc you under my feet
all the time. OF following me around
His face took on it's patient look.
Il explained that the FIRST night" he
said. I've got to. It's my social job.
It's the least do for Capen and
Hendricks-take you of their hands SO
they can be nice to Anne and Mary. OF
course" he added 1T hasn't been pleas
ant, and ] think Anne and Mary may
have resented my exclusive attention to
you"
GO away!
ArabeIIa fairly Kissed the word at him
He received them with his usual air Of
unresentfuI surprise.
Where shall I go?"
Il don't care. Anywhere"
He rose with a sigh.
That's just like YOU" he said. to sit
here and monopolize the ocean and the
beach and send me of where 1 can't see
either of them. Don't you ever" he
asked GROSSLY, think of anyose but
yourself?'
Miss Dart rose and left him. and after
stare of amazement he resumed nis
comfortable seat q fat rock. Iit q
CiGaret. ami gazcd pensiyely at a series
OF perfect smoke rings with which he
was vitisting the salt air
Miss Dart returned to her ,oom and
packed her trunk. Il was the third time
she hsd packed it this week. When sio
had finished the somewhat exhausting
task she strolled downstairs, intending
to take a few moments rest in her ia