San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-20
CHAPTER XII.

n across to Wngrove. 1t was
a bright moonlight night
with the ridge. of the South Downs
showing sharp and distinct against
the deep blue of the sky. There
was a soft, sensuous aroma in the
air-a whispering of romance in
the trees and. hedgerows and the
sleepy stir of cattle in the shadows.
Tina was conscious of nothing save
a sense of shame, and such was her
spirit that she could never rest I'M
til she had atoned as far as it lay
in her power to atone.
1t was neither snobbishness nor
the realization that Humphrey was
of finer clay than they had mag
ined which dictated her action;
she would be content to make her
apologies and then withdraw, never
to see him again. But it simply
wouldn't do to leave a Humphrey
with the impression that Carteret
wasn't big enough TO acknowledge
a mistake.
He had finished dinner by the
time they arrived and was lounging
in the smoking room, political
volume in his hand. He might
have been expecting Lord Purton,
but he was genuinely surprised to
see Tina with him. Yet hers was
the greater embarrassment as they
faced each other. She looked up
at him rather shyly as she said:
Lord Purton preferred to walk,
and | offered my services as guide.
Now, if you please, I'll leave you
to talk each others heads off.
Lord Purton will be able to find
his way back unless you care to
accompany him."
"Why not stay" he asked:
"Half-an-hour," suggested Lord
Purton; 81 cannot let you go back
alone. Humphrey and ! are merely
going to run over old times"
You'll be much happier without
me-" said Tina. 81 understand men
so we'll; they're worse than women
when they begin to talk"
every WELL" said Humphrey,
without further ado. He could tell
from the twitching of her lips that
she wished to say something which
Purton's presence precluded her
saying. IF Lord Purton will make
himself comfortable here, III see
you as far as the lodge"
''No further than the hall door,"
said Tina, briskly.
But when they reached the hall,
she glanced wistfully at the dining
room, the door of which was stand
ing ajar. The understanding
Humphrey led the way; they faced
each other in silence for second
or two. Then:
"Well?" he said, gently. What
is it that you wish to say to me? ?"
81 want to apologize she said,
frankly. perhaps, perhaps, you
won't understand me, but I'm
I'm made like that DOn't
stare at me. Mr.. Humphrey; l mean
what ! say"
'I'm sure you do" he said, keep
ing his gaze fixed on her face.
81 can rag and do all that sort
of thing, but II hate being mean.
l should say that I couldn't bear
having any one think me meaH and
snobbish. Well, ! want t.
apOlogize-that's all"
For WHAT" ne asked.
For what happened tonight"
she said. She bit ut her neither lip
in her agitation and gave her head
a shake so that the red waves Of
hair caught all manner Of delight
full shades. at Wa I'll tIr0Ugl the
devilish little imp n nere." She
touched her breast. There are
times when I've just got to rag"
somebody or die"
He shook his head. I'm still in
the dark" he said. pm not aware
Of any rag of which ! was the
victim. If / remember Alright it
was ! who did the Raging on the
occasion Of the CLUB raid"