led by lowered lashes. I glanced cautiously
across at her, conscious of my cheap clothing, and vaguely wondering
why my usual off-hand address had so suddenly failed. I felt
embarrassed, unable to break the silence by any sensible utterance. My
eyes rested upon her hands, white, slender, ringless. They were hands
of refinement, and my gaze, fascinated by the swiftly recurring memory
of other days, arose slowly to a contemplation of her face. I had seen
it heretofore merely in shadow, scarcely with intelligent observation,
but now, beneath the full glare of electric light, its revealment awoke
me to eager interest. It was a womanly face, strong, true, filled with
character, not so apt, perhaps, to be considered pretty, as lovable--a
face to awaken confidence, and trust; a low, broad forehead, shadowed
still by the wide-brimmed hat, and the flossy brown hair; the skin
clear, the cheeks rounded, and slightly flushed by excitement; the lips
full and finely arched; the chin firm and smooth. Her greatest claim
to beauty was the eyes, now securely veiled behind long, downcast
lashes. Yet I recalled their depth and expression with a sudden
surging of red, riotous blood through my veins. As I sat there,
uncertain how I might break the embarrassing silence, she suddenly
glanced up questioningly.

"You--you do not at all understand my position, do you?" she asked
timidly. "I mean why I should be homeless, on the street, alone at--at
such an hour?"

"No," I responded, surprised into frankness, "you do not seem like that
kind."

A wave of color flooded her clear cheeks, the brown eyes darkening.

"And I am not that kind," she exclaimed proudly, her head flung back,
revealing the round, white throat. "You must comprehend that fact at
once."

CHAPTER VI

WE OPEN CONFIDENCES

I bent my head, impressed by her earnestness, every instinct of a
gentleman born, returning instantly.

"I do comprehend," I admitted seriously. "Believe me I have felt the
truth of this ever since I first saw your face. You have ample reason
for misjudging me, for believing me a criminal, but I possess no excuse
for even questioning you. Shall we not permit the whole matter to rest
there, and pretend at being friends for the moment? You have already
acknowledged being both homeless and hungry. What more do I need know
to be of assistance? The cause of such a condition is no business of
mine, unless you choose to tell me voluntari