Evening star., 1923-05-29

you want TO.
You're my friend. then?" and an
appealing glance was shot at him be-
meath long, curling lashes, that proved
the complete undoing of Saltonstall
Adams.
ITO the DEATH" he whispered, in
mock dramatic manner.
Anita gave shiver. What a way
to put it," she cried. Il mean to live
forever, sir"
Doubtless" Old Salt, returned,
placidly. You're a freak-aren't
you?"
That isn't a very pretty way, of
expressing it. but l suppose / am"
and a mutinous look passed over the
strange little face.
In repose. the face was oval, serene.
and regular of feature. But when
the girl smiled or spoke or frowned.
changes took place, and the mobile
countenance grew soft with laughter
or hard with scorn.
and scorn was plainly visible when.
a moNent later, Adams introduced
Robert Tyler, fellow boarder, to
Miss Austin.
She gave him first a conventional
glance, then. as he dropped into the
chair next to hers, and said, Only
too glad to give up any place to a
peach" she turned on him a flashing
glance. that. as he expressed it after
ward. wiped him off the face of the
earth"
Nor could he reinstate himself in
her good graces. He tried a penitent
attitude, bravado, jocularity and in
difference. but one and all failed to
She answered his remarks with calm.
curt speeches that left him baft1ed
and uncertain whether he wanted to
bow down and worship her, or wiring
her neck.
Old Salt Adams took this all in. his
-.
and then to wonder. Who was this
person, who looked like a young. very
young girl. yet who had all the
mental powers of an experienced
woman? What was she and what her
calling?
The other borders appeared. those
nearest Anita were introduced. and
most of them considered her merely
pretty, new guest. Her manners
were irreproachable, her demeanor
quiet and graceful, yet as Adams
covertly watched her, he felt as If he
The meal over, he detained her a
moment in the dining room.
Why are you here, Miss Austin? -
he said courteously; what is your
errand in Corinth?'
Il am an artist" she said. looking
gaze. 'Or perhaps / should say an
art student. I've been told that there
are beautiful bits of winter scenery
available for subjects here, and /
want to sketch. Please. Mr.. Adams.
let me stay here until Lefty comes"
sudden twinkle in her eye startled
the old man, and he said quickly,
How do you know she isn't coming" ,"
That in turn. surprised Anita. but
she only smiled. and replied, Il saw
a telegram handed to Mrs. Adams at
breakfast-and then she looked
Al F,.1I N6 -n11
just sort of knew it was to say Lefty
couldn't come"
You witch! You uncanny thing.
If I should take you over to Salem
they'd burn YOU"
I'll ride over on a broomstick some
day and see if they WILL" she re-
turned gleefully.
And then along came Nemesis, in
the person of the landlady.
I'm sorry. Miss Austin" she began
but the girl interrupted her.
Please. Mrs. Adams" she said
make me sorry. too. Now, you want
to say YOU haven't any room for me
but that isn't true; so YOU don't
know what to say to get rid of me
But--why do you want to get rid OF
me-"
Esther Adams looked at the girl
and that look was her undoing
Such a pathetic face, such pleading
eyes, such WiStful curved mouth
the landlady couldn't resist, and
judgment, she said, We'll, then. stay,
you poor little thing. But you must
tell me more about yourself. 1 don't
know who you are"
Il don't know, myself" the strange
girl returned. DO we. any of us
know who we are? We go through
this world, strangers to each other
don't we? And also. strangers to
ourselves" Her eyes took on far
away. mystical look. IF | find out
who I am I'll let you know"
Then a dazzling smile broke over
her face, they heard a musical ripple
of laughter and she was gone.
They heard her steps as she ran up
Adamses looked at each other.
"Daffy," said Mrs. Adams. "A little
touched. poor child. l believe she has
run away from home or from her
keepers. Well hear the truth soon.
They'll be looking for her"
Perhaps" said her husband, doubt
fully. But that isn't the way I size
her up. She's nobody's fool. that girl
Wish you'd seen her give Bob Tyler
his comeuppance"
"'Twasn't what she said, so much
as the look she gave him. He almost
went through the floor. Well, she
says she's a painter of scenery and
landscapes. Let her stay few days,
till 7 size her up"
You size her up returned his
wife. with good-natured contempt
IF she smiles on you or gives you a
bit of taffy-talk. you'll size her up
for an angel. I'm not SO sure she
isn't quite the opposite. -
Meanwhile the subject of their
discussion was arraying herself for
a walk Equipped with storm boots
and fur coat she set out to inspect
Corinth. A jaunty fur cap. with one
long, red quill feather, gave her still
more the appearance of an elf or
gnome, and many of the Adams
house boarders watched the little
figure as she set forth to brave the
icy streets.
Apparently she had no fixed plan OF
procedure, for at each corner she
random. The snow had ceased dur
ing the night. and it was very cold
with a clear sunshiny frositness in the
air that made the olive cheeks red
and glowing.
Reaching bridge. she paused and
stood looking over the slight railing
into the frozen ravine below.
Long she stood, until passers-by be-
gan to stare at her. She was unaware
of this, absorbed in her thoughts and
obltvious of all about her.
Pinckney Payne, coming along saw
her. and, as he would have expressed
it. fell for her at once.
Don't do it, sister," he said paus-
ing beside her. Don't end your
young life on this glorious day. Sui
eide is a mess at best. Take my ad-
vice and cut it out!'
She turned, ready to freeze him
with a. glance more icy even than the
landscape, but his frank, roguish
smile disarmed her
Freshman she said, patronizingly,
but 1t didn't abash him.
"Yep. Pinckey Payne, If you must