The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17
By HAROLD MacGRAT TH

stamps every night before clos ing up.'
 "Owned seventy per cent of the stock, didn't he ?'
 And I went back to "Millicents {. Mishaps, vaugely wondering what the trustee would say when the voucher came in announcing that I'd sunk schooner at sea and blown up two airsnips.
 At The Picnic
 "D-o you like your work?' asked Nora Desmond. as she nibbled an olive.
 T like itr'
 Don't bite me; I'm not an olive" No. you're not. You are one of the loveliest women in the world He did not look at her, he looked toward the wrinkling sea. gloomily. One of the loveliest I have ever seen or wan 10 see"
 "Ta boo she warned.
 I'm poor liar. I'm an honest man today ashamed of myself, hor- ribly ashamed of myself
 She smiled a little, and a strange tenderness erept into her gray eyes. Queer things, human hearts! She likd this baffling, moody man, liked him better than any other man she had met, and all the time she was mentally calling him despicable.
 You strike me as having very violent temper concealed about you"
 T have. It's Irish. it's wind and fire; and for once it has carried me a little to far. I'm pig-hsaded. Once l start on a project, l am by nature bound te go on.
 Pie, she murmured softely.S
 He sat down abruptly. The old smile was back on his face. He. opened up small passage and dis closed two cups of custard. will you have one?''
 No. thanks" Then she added T wonder if you will ever eat pie humble pie?'
 If you held it in your. hand"
 It was her turn to look away. He had the most disconcerting eyes, never bold out always fearless. She presently heard the click of a spoon. Turning, she saw that he had emptied both cups of custard.
 You have eaten it? That was very brave of you" she said.
 He gazed towards the sea again.
 Perhaps I've lived alont too much. Perhaps my pride isn't the right kind after all. Why you have been so -fNIHu u 1tt sAAi tiitSt ddyS dOi know. Curiosity? Do you lock upon ne as mystery you'd like to solve? Leading man to Cholly, If is all Horribly vulgar. horribly hu- initiating. isn't it?'
 Tt is Why, then, do you go on?'
 sHaven't said am Irish?"
 Tn Irish, too, but I'd never let anything touch or tarnish my self respect, if that's what you mean neither for love ner for money" 4
 She was glad tat he was gazing off. It gave her clear opportunity to scruntinize him closely. He was undeniably handsome. The head was beautifully shaped, the brow was smooth and broad, gentleman was written all over him. And yet she sighed unconsciously
 Is that a wager?y
 Would to heaven it were l could forfeit then. Did you ever hear of a man named Hercules?"
 'Injeed, yes.'
 He performed tremendous labors in order to be gathered to tte gods. And I. poor blind fool, sought to emulate him. Someday l will tell you my story. Just now don't want you to despise me wholly. This is my last day with you. Miss Desmond. I am going back to New York to- morrow night
 TO New York?' she leaned back against his shoulder, her heart jump ing wildly He was going back to New York.
 An almost irresistible desire seized her to reach out and touch him The dread and distance of him vanished like mist in the morning sunshine. He was going back to New York -guiltless of what she had feared.
 Suddenly she realized that he was speaking.
 Suppose we start baek?" His We are three hours out of Los Angeles and you have an engege- msnt."
 Tt is not so very important" she replied conscious of an inexplicable shyness.
 But l have an engagement that is." He was almost gruff.
 Couldn't you brea kit with smile that would have tingled the blood of St. Anthony.
 No" He did not hesitate. My word has cen given and never break promises" All at once bitter laughter rocked him. 'T recant I do break promises, even sacred ones. l must have been mad, really mad." He gazed at her blankly, then back at the sea, which was less dangerous. Mad as hatter."
 She did not urge him or question him further. And when the lunch basket was packed away, she slipped behind the wheel and threw on the power. All the way back to town I don't suppose they exchanged dozen