The Glenwood post., 1924-09-11

not receive here. and Sks Certainly
would not welcome you assa caller"
why notf" Gerald Inquired. 4 little
perturbed.
Because you are Z young man"
Pauline replied. '-TAsre ar Two things
which my aunt breads more than any
thing else In life-a bad throat for
herself, and young men tpe me-" >,
II don't ses how ahs can hope to
keep young men away from you alto
gsther." Gerald dsclared you don't
mind my say1ng. do ycs. that you are
the sort Of girl whom yepns men would
want to knowr'
Her smile returned. shs even
laughed slightly. showing aems very
wonderful teeth.
Really, you are most sihgular
person." she observed 30 IN young
Englishmen talk to casual acquaint-
ances In this unrestrainsd fashion?"
Gerald was puxzled. Pauline was
met altogether falling into tine with
the conclusions he had arrived At con-
corning her.
II don't know that am very differ-
ent from the Others" he said. .sTell
me. what is your nationalityf
why should tell you anything
about myself7" she asked. a little
coldly.
'It appeared to me that It might
er-help our acquaintance"
"Have ] acknowledged-the acuuaint-
ance3"
"well, you are talking to me, any
how" he pointed out, with a slight
twinkle in his eyes.
II scarcely see how could help It,"
she replied. "If you are really curious
about my nationality, will tell you
that have some French blood in my
veins. France, however. is not my ma
tive country"
"And you live-wheref"
Nowhere" she answered a little
sadly. "At present we are wanderers
what you call in England Adventures" /"
Gerald raised his eyebrows.
THAT Is scarcely the word" he muir
mured
my aunt has curious objection to
meeting people upon our travels, !"
Pauline continued. II myself fnd her
aloofness sometimes little tedious.
That is why am misbehaving to the
extent Of letting you talk to me- Al
q matter Of propristy, you certainly
ought to leave me at once. A. mat
ter of fact. was about to propose
something else"
LET me hear 1t, at any rate" he
insisted.
II watched you drive up to your
fathers villa in your car. VIII you
take me little way In it7"
Rather y he assented eagerly.
"Where shall pick you up"
"Outside the villa gates," she re-
piled. my aunt is absolutely certain
to sleep for two hours. It IL the only
liberty have during the day. Please
go at once and fetch the car"
She dismissed him with IN impera-
tive wave Of the hand. As soon as he
was out of sight she jumped down
from the rock, crossed the little strip
Of sand, and commenced her leisurely
ascent to the villa. Once or twice she
laughed softly to herself.
1t was an excursion which Gerald
pondeYed on many times afterward.
Pauline had settled down In the low
bucket seat by his side and leaned
back with an air Of absolute content.
She had, in fact the appearance Of
one enjoying rare pleasure. As soon
as Gerald slackened speed, however.
with the idea OF entering into conver-
sation, she became curt and almost
rude. and his proposition that they
might take the higher road and have
tea at Nice she promptly negatived.
When, after an absence q about an
hour and a half. they drew up at the
gates Of the villa. she left him with
the merest nod of farewell
"You will come for another ride
soon-perhaps tomorrowT he asked
anxiously.
She shook her head.
II can make no plans" she replied
Il should think 1t very improbable.
thank you SO much for your kindness
Your car Is quite wonderful"
She walked away with the air Of one
who has conferred great favor. Ger.
aid drove slowly back to the villa
d'Acacia and Joined his sister on the
terrace.
do You know anything about the
two women at the next villa Maryf'
he asked
''One never knows ones neighbour
here" she answered Il saw then
driving, the other day-a strange
looking old lady and a very good-look
ing girl. Isn't there something Queel
about them, or is II my fancy7"
'1There b something unusual" Ger
aid replied. "They seem curiously In
disposed to forming acquaintance
which is odd in 4 place like this.
happened to be talking to the younge
woman for a few minutes. She CAV,
me the impression, somehow, that the!
' were people of greater consequence
1 than their manner Of living here Woull