The Obstacle Race

hed very shakily at the solicitude expressed by Columbus, and told him trem

ay his handkerchief and turned towards her. She saw his eyes gleam under black, mobile brows that seemed to denote a considerable sense of humour. The whole of his face held an astonishing amount of vitality, but the lips were straight and rather hard, so clean-cut as to

. "I had better introduce myself," he said. "I'm af

he romantic dropped to the prosaic with a suddenness tha

ware that she had not hidden it as she rose to

is Moore-Miss Moore. Will you allow

ost equally near the surface at that moment. She was ext

ease don't!" he said. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything. It was jol

ointed out. "I went over. It was a mo

awfully well. I wish I'd been nearer to yo

she said, "thank you all the same. I must have go

oment the hand that held hers closed unceremonious

e the worse, now?" he sai

anything,

he less, and he seemed to know it,

you back," he said. "

he told him. "The vill

ittle Shale, you mean. You've

nd Columbus wanted a walk. I got led on, I

ere is always the chance of meeting these fellow

" she said regretfully, "and the exquisite wildne

this way as much as you like in the mo

who responds instinctively to a power unquestioned. The magic of the night was closing

lace I have ever seen," she s

t?" h

urprised her. "Don't you

seem wonde

. "Yes, it's quite a beautiful place. But it isn't always like thi

ling down here all th

t in the path.

eem surprised. Why shouldn't I?

aid, and walked on again a

, and he relinquished her hand. "You

r," said

nto his speech. "When the nightingales have left o

sure of that,

uncompromisingly, almost

stay here because y

her back from pursuing the matter. She walked several paces in silence. Then, "I wish I

er. "But that isn't what you ca

on almost guiltily. "But I think everyone ough

said. "But it isn't everyon

And you think I shall seek in va

hat your capabilit

d, a soft, low laugh. "Columb

olumbus, waiting to go through, wriggled in a manner that expressed his entire ignor

ooked at her companion with a smile. "I am afraid I shall have t

t of surprise. "You know

brows a little.

he High Shale Mines. I have never met an

em myself just now-most especially of Lady Joanna. But perhaps it is rather ba

have left h

ully. "She is very unconventional, you know. And I-well, at heart I fancy I must be r

r brave of you,

o buy me cigarettes-at least not the kind I like." Juliet's smile was one of friendly confidence. "I think it's

garette-case. "You had better try one and m

n't give me one! I feel as if I've begged for it. But just tell me wher

in front of her. "Won't you hono

e yielded. "Thank you-Mr. Green. I seem to have accept

I hope I may have further opportunities of being of use. I can get you these

e fell. "How d

"There's no difficulty about it. I can

her, and kindled a cig

ly," she said. "I knew I should like them wh

with amusement.

dding at lunch-I mean dinner." She paused. "No,

u say it if you t

odness. And I am going to learn to like her ginger p

ou! I wonder if

pass through the gate. "I am going to cultivate a contented mind here. An

k you will probably go back long before the

path. "But it has begun already. I hav

out. "It's your spirit of adventure enjoyi

ne. I assure you I didn't enjoy that tumble over the cliff in the least. I am a very quiet person by nature." She began to la

orgiven and forgot

would have been absolutely justified in using even stronger language under

d better. I will next time." He spoke with a smile

that be?" s

ught a charge of gunpowder would improve that bit where the rock hangs over. If I hadn't wanted to keep the

may some day fall over into it again. The chance is a very remote one, I assure you. Now, please don't come any farther with me! It has only j

e in this direction," he said. "In any case, I

tested. "We are practically the

s. Rickett too. I am not an engine

directness. It was Juliet's turn t

u-y

look of astonishment with a sm

ing smile. "No, of course not. I mig

he questioned. "Have I th

e been hearing a good deal about you to-day; not in

as either embarrassed or annoyed, but whatever the feeling he

the only person I have

e met on t

lf," he said. "You weren

ry gently, very pitifully. "I have a feeling tha

s very faithful to those he's got. Most people are so revolted by his appearance that the

s I who spoke first,"

hat made y

sitate

ntion. "He did something that mad

ry, almost curt, Juli

don't answer that

ed, with a certain hardness that made her

" she said gently, "when I spe

ant me to kn

u myself if I did

then: "Will you promise to tell me

almost inordinate relief. "Yes,

the end of th

ou," sai

he village, and the light from a large lamp s

owards it. "Those are his lodge-gates. No doubt you have heard o

f him," said Juliet.

ovement of the shoulders. "I am v

" said

humble abode, and a smell of rank tobacco, floating forth,

eld out her hand. "

dy. "Good-bye," he said, "I hope y

olumbus, then opene

ir in the porch as of so

called a deep bass vo

-night, thanks," he called back. "I

umbus trotting sedately by her side. She heard her escort's depart