Evening star., 1923-05-29

know. Commonly called Pinky.'
IL don't wonder and she noticed
his red cheeks. We'll, now that
you're properly introduced, tell me
some of the buildings. What's that
one?"
'Dormitories. And that" pointing.
| made one?"
That's Doctor Warnings home, Him
! as is going to be next Prexy."
And that? And that?"
He replied to all her questions, and
kept his eyes fastened on her be-
witching face. Never had Pinky seen
young. SO merry, and yet her rest
less. rowing eyes seemed full of hid
dn fire and tempestuous excitement.
Where you from?' he said abrupt
ly: Where you staying?"
"At Mrs. Adams" she returned. "1s
| 1t a good house?"
Best in town Awful hard to get
into. Always full up. Relative of
hers?"
No, just a boarder. chanced to
| and couldn't use"
You're lucky. Met Bob Tyler"
yes
You don't like him, I see that.
Met Gordon LOCKWOOD
| mo, who's he?"
He's Doctor Warnings secretary. but
! he's mighty worthwhile on his own ac-
| count. I say may l come to see you?"
THANK you, no. I'm not receiving
| callers-yet."
| I'm coming. l say my aunt lives
next door to Adams. May l bring
her to call on yoyu?"
Not yet. please. I'm not settled"
| Soon'S you say the word, then.
My aunt is Mrs. Bates, and she's a love.
! Or to ma ri ~,
$50 you see were the right sort of
people"
There are no right sort of people, i"
! said the girl, and. turning, she walked
| away.
Apparently Miss Austins statement
| that there were no right sort of people
was her own belief for she made no
| friends at the Adams house. Nor was
| that the fault of her fellow boarders.
They were more than willing to be
! friendly, but their overtures were in
variably ignored.
Not rudely, for Miss Austin seemed
to be a girl of culture and her man.
ners were correct. but, as one per-
, sistent matron expressed it. "you
| can't get anywhere with her"
| She was a. mystery-and mysteries
provoke inquiry.
The house was not a large one, and
the two-score boarders, though they
would have denied imputation OF
in learning the facts about Miss Mys-
terry. as they had come to call her.
Mrs. Adams was one of the most
| eager to learn the truth. but, as he
did on rare occasions. Old Salt Adams
had set down his foot that the girl
was not to be annoyed.
! And let alone she was-not SO
much because of Adams dictum as
because Fostering" did little good
The girl had disconcerting way ot
| looking an inquisitor straight in the
leyes. and then, with a monosyllabiC
reply. turning and walking off as il
the other did not exist
Why" said Miss Bascom. ag-
grievedly relating her experience. 81
just said politely: Are you from New
| York or where. Miss Austino' and she
| turned those big. black eyes on me
her back and looked out of the win.
dow. as If she had wiped me off the
face of the earth"
Shes too young to act like that
opined Mrs. Welby
oh. she isn't so terribly young
, Miss Bascom returned. She's toe
experienced to he SO very young"
| How do you know she's expert
enced? What makes you say that
Why" Miss Bascom hesitated fol
| words. she's-sort of sophisticated
you can see that from her looks
mean when anything is discussed al
the table she doesn't say a word. bu,
you can tell from her face that she
| knows all about it-I mean a matter
| OF general interest, don't you know
| L don't mean local matters"
She's an intelligent girl. l know
; but that doesn't make her out old
| l don't believe she's twenty"
"Oh. she is. Why. she's twenty.
five or twenty-seven"
Never in the world! I'm going t.
ask her
ASK her." Miss Bascom laughed
"YouA get well snubbed if you do"
But this prophecy only served tc
| egg Mrs. Welby on. and she took the
first occasion to carry out her prom,
Use.
She met Anita in the hall. as the
girl was about to go out, and smil-
ingly detained her.
why so aloof. my dear?" she said
playfully. You rarely give us
chance to entertain you"
AS Mrs. Welby was between Anita
and the door. the girl was forced tc
pause. She looked the older woman
over with an appraising glance that
| was not rude, but merely disinter.
| ested
MOI" she said. with a curious ris.
ing reflection, that somehow seemed
to close the incident.
But Mrs. Welby was not so easily
baff1ed.
NO" she repeated, smilingly. "Anc
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