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"I have so--very aard--to say to you, Wallie"
The harried expression which was beco chronic leaped into his eyes at the introduction, as he asked hi
"It's rather indelicate to discuss with a gentleers
Wallie was alarly: "You can talk as freely to me as if I were your--father"
He had not had time to visualize himself as Aunt Lizzie's father when she went on in a short-breathed fashion: "I fear that I shall have to leave you, Wallie, as soon as possible"
Wallie's wonder grew, but he said nothing
"I think--I fear--I believe," she stammered, "that Mr Hicks is of a very ardent temperament"
Wallie could not have spoken now had he wanted to
"Since yesterday I have found hiht he stared ateyes until I could feel his hypnotic influence I hope--I trust you will believe I have not given hiement?"
Wallie's jahich had fallen, prevented hi her that he believed her blaue of scandal has never laid hands on itation, "but I feel that it is a risk I should not take to travel about the country with a company of ed to mumble: "You are as safe here as if you were in a convent, Aunt Lizzie"
It would have seemed from her expression that she preferred not to think so, however
"You understand how I feel, don't you?" she pleaded
"Perfectly! Perfectly!" Wallie replied, too dazed to make any other answer He would have been only a little less astounded if the old lady had announced her intention of opening a dance-hall upon her return to Prouty
Aunt Lizzie's desertion, and for such a reason, was the last thing he had anticipated It see He watched her toddle away, and sat down again gloo the food away, co profanely upon the flies, the heat, the tardiness of Mr Stott, the injustice of things in general, and in particular the sordid necessity which obliged him to occupy this huher one
He threw a stick at a "camp-robber" that had flon and taken a pick at a plate on a stump which contained the lunch he had saved for Mr Stott, and his expression was so diabolic that it was the first time for many days that he had looked natural