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Show VV proach of Mrs. Morgan, B stou little lady who bore a striking i resemblance to England's late queen. Drawing a chair bwWe hb own. he wild, with a profound bow: "Will yo - majesty deign to bo aeat-' aeat-' ed?' Mrs Mortrnn paused a second, doubtfully, doubt-fully, nnd then, wltnout a trace of her usual smile, swept by. saying: "1 thank you. Mr Watson. I wish to speak to Mica Perkins." "By George!" muttered the younfj roan, watching ltr until she Joined a group of elderly ladloa farther down the hotel veranda "Now what Is tht causo of this sadden coolness?" Ho shook his head In perplexity, anl tarted down toward the boat-lauding. Neiir the lake ho overlook the- Barlow I Brla "Going on the water T ho besan. but stopped short as ho caucht eight of the quick look of dlamay that parted between be-tween thttin. -II To ldcx of ta two turned to her later. TWi bottor go back now,' she aM hastily "T think mama will be malting for us " WaLson stared open-mouthed at their retreating figures for a moment. thn wont, wondering, on bin way. He reached reach-ed tho boat landing Jaet a a launch containing a party of young people was passing. Ethel Carter, seated In the bow beside Jim Spenser, waved ber band at him, but the others seemed seem-ed unconscious of his DTOT.inJry. "Halloa!" ho called "Don't you want another passenger?" There was a moment's ominous silence sil-ence beforo Jim called back: ' Sorry, old mau no more room." "I. Tin cad!'" growled Watsoa. Savi4?ly. he unfastened the painter of a skiff and rowed off In a direction opposite to that taken by the launch. At tho bop that evening he felt that 'taboo" was written across bis back '.n huge letters. N'o one would danoo with him escept Ethel, and their one ualte was cut short by the ghrl vigilant vig-ilant aunt. After the dance he stalked away to jj2 ooen window, lie waa standing 'her tn a Vapolocmlr attitude, with folded arms and cloomy brow, gazing out at th moonlight, when a plump MttJe hand slippod within his arm, and Mrs. Morgan's voice whltpercd: "Coma outside I want to talk with yoo." She led him to a secluded corner of Hie veranda, and. sitMng down, motion fd him to a chair bosido ner 1 think It Is high time for you to 'crow the absurd gossin that Is flylajf about," she beiran, "and as a trus friend of yours I am going to afford von an opportunity to defend yonrsolf Is James Spencer a frlrnd or yours V Tbo abruptness of ten question confused con-fused NVutsim. and he stammered out "Why, he's a fellow towusmaa and n old schoolmate and " "Aud yon don't love him. Very wetl He doesn't Io7e von olther, I fancy. I beard a shocking rumor this morning, and, detennlnln to get to th bottom of It, 1 Interviewed Kitty Perkins after luncheon. The rumor was started by tkai Spencer wul," 1 I Sh pointed her pudsy little forcfio (fer at him tragically Ts It loaded, your maltiy'" he asked, ask-ed, pretending to dodge the threatening digit "Don't Jotte." aald she rmpresntvely Tt is a K-louji matter to you and all your frlonds and yoo have many ef them. Ton have been very popnlnr here. We all lite yon, not simply be 'auae you are a man whore men are scarce, but because you are friendly without bolER flirtatious, funny, but not foolish er " "Fascinating, but not fast," suggest ed Watson. "Yes precisely. Now comes that Spencer man Whether he was Jealous if your popularity, or wished to Injure your reputation tn th eyei of a certain cer-tain yonng lady. I don't know. At all events, he mentioned to Kitty Perkins Per-kins and the other gtrls that you had been in the penitentiary "Of coQire, in a few hours, every body knew of It, and now you are oe trashed. I want yon to give me authority auth-ority to deny the slander, and III stop tho mouths of tbos gossipy icirls in ihort order and send that contemptible Spencer liar packing by the morning boat." The young man shifted hl9 chair so as to bring his face Into th ahadow After a brief silence, he said, in a atralned voice: "You neod not deny the reporL Mrs. Morgan. It is all true." 8h drew away from Mm sUgtitly. "You wers In prison? Oh. I am sorry I Of course you will bars to loave us, thsa." "Leave? Not I'" orled he decidedly, doggedly '1 will stay and fight It ouL My rooonl has been clean and clear ever since. I a man to be boycotted all his llfoT I an going to stay." "I admire your pluck, but I am afraid you can't Btand It," she answered sympathetically. sym-pathetically. "However, yon can count on nie to help In any way possible. I believe In giving every one a chance, snd I am not one to deert my friends when tboy need me" 8b held out her hand, ao4 he pres-ed pres-ed It warmly. "Thank you." he responded feelingly. -Trouble suable a man to find out who are his true friends " He heetltated a moment and then continued enestiosrfncly: "Utm. Morgan, H ari cared tor a man and foTnd out that he bad been tn the penitentiary, would she turn hlra down?" "It denndi onon the girl Tou mean Ethel Carter, of course. 1 be Mpve sh would be true to a man. If she lored him. But there's her aunt, yon know." "Yea, l know " The foRnwlnii: momlnc. "hrf1nc nTV der the eonntnnt snubbing encountered on all sides he stnrted alons tbf path 'hat ran from the hotel to the top of Roger's Rock. As he approached tho observatory hs caught sIKht of Ethel standing with her hack toward him crazing down at the lake Suddenly she turned and hastened to him with a cordial smilo and both hands extended, exclaiming: "J thought It was your step " He seized the little brown hands and drw her close until he could gu7s straight down Into the dark yeea. "You know; and yet you are not ashamed to be my friend still." His I tone was not questioning, but exultant, j "Yes, I know," she said quietly. "I saw Mrs Morgan this morning. Is It ! really true?" "Yes," he replied, loosening bhi ?rftsp of her hands. But she did not at ones withdraw them. She did not even draw bacK from him; she merely gaaed steadily. aearehlnRly, into his oyes. and contlnu ed to (aze, until he felt tho hot blood rush lV his faco. and felt ueh a long log to crush her to him that ho suddenly sud-denly dropped her hands aad thrust hu, own Into bla coat-pocktts. "Can't we sit down? ' he said awl: wardly. "Why, ortatnly." she replied, lead Ids the way Into the observatory. "So you don't think any the lesj of me for being a Jailbird P he remarked, when they were soated. "If you will trust me a little while I " "1 do trust you now," she rejoined, "and I feel sure you wore not very much to blame." "By George!" he cried Impulsively, leaning toward ror "If you caro for me, it matters not what the whole world thinks," He straightened up and, removing LIb cap, ran his Hugers nervously through hie crisp, curly hair "1 didn't Intend to say that at tola time," he went on, "but. since It haj slipped out unintentionally, I want to tell you that I love you, Ethel. 1 should have proposed to yon but year, If your confounded aunt's money i beg your pardon, 1 mean your aunt's confounded money had not been in the way. It you remain tree. I'll pro I 3e quickly enough la a year or two, when I can offer yon a home with some luxury boaidee myself. He smiled whimsically, and the girl smiled In roturn omownai wistfully, as If she wero not gottLng Just what ihs w anted. "I don't want to bind yon now by an izeJiient," he contlnnod. T don't wn to do anything to antagonize your aunt and Injure your prospects; or, on the other hand, lo I want on: household house-hold to be support: by your annt'3 money What I do want la fo know If you caro enoasrh for me to wait a cou pie of y ars If you cun glvo mo hope for the future?" She sat calmly, -vlth her hnnds demurely de-murely folded In her lap. until he had concluded, Then she replied ouletty: "I like you. Mr. Wa'.son. and I shall wait for you." Sotno men would have been chilled and repelled by her manner, but he liked IL BIk and nervous Mmself. be found In her a calmness and repose that rested and satisfied him Lifting her hand to his lips, he klnsed It tenderly, ten-derly, holding it a moment caressing 17- "Thank you. little girl." said he "Now we understand each of er. It Is a great comfort to knew that you bollevo In roe in spite of alL" The brilliant spot of red In eaeh of her cheeks Indicated that Inwardly Bhe was far from calm Had be been some, years younger, and had he noted the expression that glowed in her dark eyes while sbo jtazed aown at the blue water, he would have east aetde all his bachelor theories, gathered her In his arm then and there, and 6atd that !ho wanted her at once But, like her-Iself. her-Iself. he was lowing with unaeelng I oyes i-ho lake far bolow. bis sunburnt ! race wearing a look of supreme con itcnt. Klnallv the girl broko the silence. 'It promises to be a fine night Iot the excursion to Fort Tlcouderoga. YOU .ire going, of ourse?" "No. 1 have not beou asked.' he re-I re-I pllod. "I think it Is riorrld of them!" she ; exclaimed. "Tbeu I shall not go, either." "I tell you what," said Lie. "we'll have a little trip of oar own this evening eve-ning on the lake, and we'll tako Mrs. Morgan as ballaat. if ostracism means that you and I are to be thrown together to-gether constantly, '.hon I shall bless ft and the priflon-bara." It was late that evening when they returned from tho vr.ter Leaving Mrs Morgan at the hotel, they walked In silence through .he dim, tree-arched path until they reached tho steps oi Wthel's cottage Then the girl cried out lu suddvn dismay: "Qood gracious! 1 left my ulght-key on the drceeer lu nay room. What ehnil we do. i don t like to wake my aunt." He thought a moment. "You say the key Is la your room? If the window is unlatuned. our i had a Ladl:r " "You'd cdlmb up and gc'. ;l Well, one ol my windows la unfaeteoed, the one on the sldo of ths cottage, and tkei paXatcra left a ladder cn the graaa " "Good'" said he. "You sit down hre k a: 1 wait" He found the ladd . climbed to the p room, procured the key, and descended t safely But as his feet touched the 'EV ground, a hoarse whisper came to him through the darkness: t "Hold up your hands!" f. He turned and lound himself facing f tt shadowy figure of a man, a re f volve.- In his outstretched hanJL. 1 Instead of obeying, however, he dart-d dart-d around the cottage and down the road. Behind him he could hear heavy footsteps and t voice called peremp- 1 torlly: t 'Stop, or rn fire!" 1 Watson ntopped an. faced about. j. "Oh. It's you!" ho cried In a tono ot i 1 relief, as he recognized the hotel's f watchman. "Yes, It's me." panted the man, "and H I want to know By goshl If It ain't Watson, the Jailbird! Up to your old tricks, hey? Burglarln"! Now. you I march straight tc tho hotel, and don't I you run ag"!n. or I'll shoot!" "But my good man " began Watson. t "Shut up! Keep bickl" growled ths man. "I ain't takrn' no chances with ,f an old bird llko you. Go on, bow! ' March'" I Watson marched, reaching the hotel Just as tne excursionists trom tae tort drovo up. I I "Halloa I What's the matter? ' cried L 'Spencor, as the young people gather- ft ed around the pair. "Burglarln', hon se breaking' I " re-sponded re-sponded the wtchrcan triumphantly. 'Over to the Carter cottage 1 nabbed f him as he climbed down from the win- j. dow." "Well, o: all things!" "The Carters!" ! "Perfectly outrageoual" were the aud- f I hie commeuta. I At that instant. Ethel herself puihed I hurriedly through the group, and,clasp- I lug Watson's ujpm with both hands, panted: "Stop I Let me expl an. I had left my night-key up-stalrs, and Mr. Watson, Wat-son, at my roquest, climbed Into the window to get It And, any -y it's I all right' witi. a defiant glance fl around "for wo are to bo married thla 11 fall." I "Bravo, JltUo girl!" whispered Wat- I sou. Then he tumor1 to the others. I "Since explanations are ln order," be 1 said, "let Te stato now what no one ' hae taken the trouble to ask the rea- I 3on why I was in prison. 1 was employed em-ployed there for a short time in a busl-uess busl-uess capacity as an expert accountant account-ant . I bid you all good night." With a mocking smilo and bow, he led Eiottl aw:i When thy nero b- S yond earshot, the girl exclaimed: "Why didn't yoa sa tnat boforo?" Tt seemed such a rich Joke. I was carioun to know how it would feci to bo unpopular, and." he heeltated a moment, mo-ment, "to are how it would affect you." j "Me!" she crlod. "You foolhJh darl- lng! You might have bvieu a horse- if ;L:cf for aB 1 care." t; ,CoirrrU3it, The Frank A. Muosey Co.l K ' I |