The Lighted Match

d the index to his fancy. It was his fancy which had dictated that the broad windows, with sills at the level of the floor, should not command the formal terraces and lawns

eady in evening dress. Bristow was idling on the hearth with no more immediate conce

heir coming, Van glanced up and schooled his

ring in on the clock," he observ

ow of the hearth, slowly dra

a hand readily enough upon the brass case for which the other was fumbling. As he held a light to his guest's cigarette, he

n search of you instanter. He acted very much like a summons-server or a bailiff. He's ensconced in rooms ad

instant there was a defiant stiffening of his jaw, but whe

of his cigarette for a moment, then magnanimously added: "However, si

ing this young man until dinner," he vou

a part-abandoning a semblance which it was no longer necessary to maintain. A pained droop came to the corners of her lips and she dropped wearil

to come just now an

inding voice, and the half-whispered words were wistful

" he anxious

ouded eyes and shook her head. He could not tell whethe

vered her hands with his own. He could feel th

ispered, "wha

ssing it in her own, then, rising, she shook her head with a gesture of the fingers at

ghed and when she spoke again her voice was as light as if her world held only triviali

"I like you best in so many things, but

her eyes, and she caught her low

hing I said?"

y don't say that again, ever-'the qu

e unsteady step and swayed as though she would fall. Instantly his arms were around her and for a

y from him and stood, still a trifle unsteady

ually fall about into people's arms. I'm developing nerve

from which he sternly banished a

of the stairs where their ways diverged, she pa

t told me wh

k gown with the shimmery things all over it. I can't describe it,

iles away," she demurred. "It would take a

"It is a little bit like a niblick, but it may be a magic wand in disgu

ck a laugh a

to the "bachelors' barracks," as the master of "Idle Time

s and these erstwhile vacant ones lay a room forming a sort of buffer space. Here a sideboard, a card-table, and desk made the "n

partments were tenanted. Benton entered his own unlighted room, and

ew to be one in which outsiders should have no concern. To switch on the light would be to declare himself a witness to a part at least; to remain would be to b

calm, immobile, with his arms crossed on his breast, bending an impassive glance on the other from singular

gray eyes; the uncurved nose and commanding forehead were in concert with the

wer me-am I?" Pagratide spoke in a tempest of anger. He

ly as mildly interested, as though he wer

obey them. I beg pardon, I shall attempt to obey them; and thus far my attempts to serve His Majesty have no

ad gone through heat to cold, and his attitude was that of

ating the heaped-up luggage on the table

the table, is a sword

e stood

lmost deferentially, then we

lmost call that-" Then Benton remembered an auxiliary door

package which bore the name of his florist in town. In another moment he had spread a profusion

d every thorn from its long stem. Then he went out th

to rise out of his ambush and intercept Cara as she came into the hall. It pleased him to regard himself

self with his knees drawn up and the fl

gure pace slowly by. The broad shoulders and the lancelike carriage proclaimed Von Ritz even before the downcast face was raised. At Cara's door the European wheeled uncertainly and paused. B

against the white woodwork. Her eyes widened and she paled perceptibly. For an instant, she caught her lower lip between her teeth; but she di

nd his manner w

gh in doubt as to what form of address he should

in a voice that seemed to rais

since the days of your pinafores and braids, when I was honored wit

t itself to eloquence. Now its even m

like me,"

d simply. "I hadn't thought

to ask an interview later. At any time that may be most agreeable-Pardon me," he interrupted himself wit

owed himself backward, then turning on

er brow drawn in a deep furrow, then she threw her chin upward and shook her head with that

ehind the palms, and she looked up at h

re you?"

" he said humbly, handing her the rose.

erfulest rose that any little girl ever had for a magic g

" he whispered. No answ

cal little-girl voice, looking up wi

t to give it to you, but now I want it back-

. "Do you want it now-Ind

on't," in an

And she was gone, leaving him to make his appe