Ann Arbor Tales

door, as sturdy and frank as a Crusader or not at all-that was his way. Let a faculty man be coming toward him half a block distant, there was no hesitatio

enciled labels-plain enough to be read distinctly across the street-"Perth Whiskey." But it was not that he had a pride in what certain of his fellows were wont to call his "independence." It was simply that

cally. He denied his heart's impeachment; the other Jack sneered and called him a fool. He laughed; the other Jack said,-or seemed to say: "Laugh away; but it's a serious business all the same." He flaunted; the other adhered to the original charge. In the end he stood before that other Jack an

vincible virtue, talked down to him roundly. He did not interrupt the steady flow of malediction in which his immaculate room-mate seemed deter

mstances, Crowley shrugged his shoulders, and l

n't." And he reached across the table for a bottle of bitters. He poured half a small glass with shaking hands. Over t

believe me, you white-r

smiled

ow do you believe me?-Not even a bracer!" And he f

, and Houston, as he finished dressing, heard him t

face shaded by the blue parasol she carried, stood on the bank by the railway. Her hamper was stowed away securely, and while the man held fast to the frail craft, Houston lifted her fairly from the g

green banks on either side. Past the ivy-hung station they drifted with the current. Florence sat silent among the cu

glimpses of The Hermitage-poised obliquely on the hillside, a sheer declivity falling from its broad canopied piazza. Skirting the bank, the passage of the canoe wrought havoc a

the low rail, let it trail through the dark-green water,

re fishing from the weather-stained structure forgot their lines to watch the passage of the silent

he hills and the little surprises of charm that nature, at each curve of the wandering stream, brought into view. Overhead, feath

t on her handkerchief. The sun was obscured an

dear-why di

er, regarded the tip of her parasol, pressed agai

at she could not tell whether he were

nd," she said

ly; but before she could reply he adde

of contrition in his voice. Her lips parted

day. I didn't mean to mention it at first-but-but-I couldn't help it. You don't really like to do

choed back across the river. "Yes," h

. I don't think you should laugh. But Jack dear,"-she gazed ste

not a

e me, Jack-me?" s

d to him that instant of h

finally, with a brave note

d back more comfortab

ou would,

u care so very-so very

o," she answer

hy

that which induced the little tremor she felt pass over he

heard him whisper; "i

anguishingly, and in them he seemed t

e boat upon the bank and handed her the hamper. They climbed up to a shelf of rock over the edge of which a spring sent whirling to the road below a glistening rope of water. They set the basket in the cool shade, at the edge of the shelf, a

she called it, until twilight rose and the bird

river the moon rose, round, high, white,

t. She watched him; the strong, even movements of his arms, as he fairly bent the paddle

and the words came quick and s

tired," sh

replied-"I only wi

me again-befor

ment. "I might make the governor believe that the sum

s voice. "I'm afraid I should be

ope so," h

seriously, "don't this

te me then-of

oft

ould-I shan't say every

es

in his breast at th

whispered. "Oh,

your promise?" She

es

est J

rnor when I get home, Flore

d," she added more calmly, seemingly herself conscious of it. "Perhaps he'll come on, next

fall in love with you himself! Yes, he might," he ad

her home, and in the darkness of the little round

ay?" he whispered, his

pressure of her

y," she

arkness about her she seemed to see the sweet face of a young girl-the girl of the p

r week he

ks and although she did not ask, h