The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-19

left"
1t was a laughing challenge.
That's not quite so easy as ad-
vising, is it?" he rallied her.
'Oh, yes, it is she assured him.
IF you was serious 1 could soon pro.
duce the lady-a comedy enough
woman Of about your own age, mis-.
tress of thirty thousand pounds and
some property, besides"
Where is she, them"
Mrs. Quinn moved away from the
table, and round to his side of it.
"She is here"
"Here?" he echoed
She drew step or two nearer, so
that she was almost beside him.
Here in this ROOM" she insisted
softly.
He looked up at her, still uncom-
pretending. Then, as he observed the
shy smile with which she sought to
dissemble her agitation, the truth
broke upon him at last.
The clay stem of his pipe snapped
between his fingers, and he dived
after the pieces, glad of any retext
to remove his eyes from her face and
give him a moment in which to con-
slider how no should conduct himself
in this novel and surprising situa
ton
When he came up again, his face
was flushed, which may have been
from the lowering Of his head. He
wanted to laugh: but he realized that
would hc NIT orIxy
He rose, and set the pieces of the
broken pipe on the table. Standing
thus, his shoulder to her, he spoke
gently, horribly embarrassed.
Il 1 had no notion of .
your meaning - /" And there he
broke down.
But his embarrassment encouraged
her. Again she came close.
And now that you know 1t,
COLONEL" she whispered.
II don't know what to
say"
His mind was beginning to recover
its functions. He understood at last
why person of his shabby exterior
and obvious neediness should have
been given unlimited credit in this
house.
Then say nothing at all, Colonel.
dear" she was purring. Save that
you'll put from you all notion of sail
ing to the Indies"
But but my word is pledged
already" 1t was a straw at which
he clutched desperately. And it was
not very fortunate one. for it sug-
gested that his pledged word was the
only obstacle.
The effect was to bring her closer
She was almost touching him, as he
stood there. still half averted, and
she actually leaned against him, and
set hand upon his shoulder as she
spoke, coaxingly, persuasively.
But it was pledged before .
before you knew of this. His grace
will understand. He'll never mold you
to it. You've but to explain"
II - couldn't. I couldn't"
he cried weakly. I
Then I can"
your" He looked at her.
She was pale. but resolute. Eyes,
me-" she answered him. IF your
pledge is all that holds you. I'll take
coach at once and so to Whitehall
George Monk II see me, or if he won't
his Duchess will. I knew her well in
the old days, when l was a young
girl. and she was a seamstress glad to
earn a groat where she could. Nan
Charges II never deny herself to an
old friend. So if you but say the
word, I'll soon deliver you from this
pledge of yours"
His face heightened. He looked
away again.
''That is not all, Mrs. Quinn" he
said, very gently. THE truth is
1 am not Of e. nature to make
a woman happy"
This she deemed mere coyness, and
swept it briskly aside. I'D take the
risk of that"
But . . but you see I've
lived this rowing life of mine so, long,
that do not think I could ever set
the. Besides. ma'am, what have to
offer?"
"If am satisfied with my bargain,
why take thought for that?"
II must. The fact is, | am touched,
deeply touched. 1 did not think 1
had it in me to arouse the affection,
or even the regard. Of any woman.
Even SO. ma'am, whilst it moves me.
it does not change my purpose.
am not a marrying man."
BUT . -
He raised hand, dominantly, to
check her. He had found the correct
formula at last, and he meant to keep
to it.
Useless to argue. ma am. know
my mind. My reasons are as have
said. and so is the fact. am
touched; I am prodigiously touched,
and grateful. But there it is"
His firmness turned her white with
modification. To have offered her
self, and to have been refused. AS
she considered him now with her vivid
blue eyes. her face grew notified She
was moved to sudden hatred of him.
She walked to the door, moving a
little heavily. She opened it, and then
paused under the Intel Over her
shoulder she spoke to him again.
Seeing that things is like this. per
maps you'll make it convenient to find
another lodging not later than to-
morrow"
He inclined his head little in
agreement.
Naturally j.. - he was beginning,
when the door closed after her with
a bang and he was left alone.
"Phew!" he breathed, as he sank
| Imply into his chair again He nassea