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Show r To be sure the men did not stand by Ahbei as Italhlac had geiranteed nor did the aforesaid gentleman wl.h him God-speed In his run. "Ita all very well." he remnrked gloomily, "but Ashbee's heart Isn't marlily sny more." "I'omrort yourself with the reflection reflec-tion that the substance that slTocIs marble Is acid." Van Ness laughed la rejoinder. He alone nf all the men had been Impervious to the effects of Ash-bees Ash-bees glories. The effnlr had rathor entertained him and that (lenplte the fnct that before the eoanueror'a arrlvul Itotelle hod vouchsafed him some few favurs In the way of promenades. Hllll ho hnil never made further headway and seemed contented with whatever gifts the petite coddis provided him, aiways good natnredly l.vinhlng over the fuming of others, assuring them that the game was not worth their sgonlns. At about the end nf Aahhee's second week, however, It appeared for tho moment that the young woman had returned to tho old love. She rose with her customary abruptness from the circle of trousers, remarking that perhaps Van Ness would fancy an airing. air-ing. He sprang up hurriedly to take advantage of thla wonderful suggestion sugges-tion with every mark of delight. Hot they were not away long. Soon Ashbee. Ash-bee. with a suspicion of vainglorious-noss, vainglorious-noss, aaaerted an unimpaired power over tha belle by drawing her away for a walk of hla own, thus summarily repudiating and avenging hla slights. In tha secret places of his heart, however, there wss the most penetrating penetrat-ing humility. Its marblcneaa waa merely a shrine for very penitential prayers. Ashbee had flirted and gay-ly gay-ly deceived ever alnce he had first donned the Insignia of bla set's draaa or even before, but he still bewailed every gentle heart he had afflicted. He felt now that It would not do to have this ono more girl Imagine ha waa serious when well, when everything waa a Joke Hoielle must be warned, even If It was going to be very bard and very awkward. So when they came out among the walnuts where he bad always waied most sentimental be began softly and slowly with: "Mies Rorelle, I wonder whether you can understand a really frivolous man, a regular chump, you know that goes and doea all sorts of things ha ought not to, plays with fire when ha knowa It's going to hurt somebody at a very vulnerable place and all for bla own amusement?" Roielle aald nothing. "Roielle, girl, you hurt me when yon ara so quiet, and I've got to tell you. I'm Just that kind of a villain. There, It's mighty tough to say It But don't you know I'va acted tha almpla tine I've met you. I don't" Hla Interlocutor continued ominously ominous-ly suppressed. He blundered tha mora. "But there ara lota of ntce fellowa who would roll over In tha mud If they thought It would pleas you. I've .been thinking, and hoping that perhaiai you eared for Van Ness a trifle! Now, he's a Una fellow, that boy. He's worth your while. I'm not; I'm" Then the lady spoke. "Stop It Mr. Ashbee. Never mind. It's all right I'm a villain, too. Mr. Van Noes has told me all about It from the beginning. You see I have known that he's worth while. I I'm married to him. We're on our honeymoon: honey-moon: we thought we'd do something out of the ordinary, you know, and It's been lots of fun. But between you and me, we're going back to the common com-mon rut of cooing bridal couples tomorrow to-morrow morning, way up In the mountains moun-tains all by ourselves. Bo good-bye, Mr. Ashliee, and don't feel too surprised sur-prised and don't try It on other girls." |