Page:Earl Derr Biggers - Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913).djvu/21

Rh at the same time retain the respect and affection of his fellows. Mr. Magee thought he read ap- proval in the lone eye of blue. When the lady spoke, however, he hastily revised his opinion.

"Yes," she said, "you can do something. You can go away—far, far away."

Mr. Magee stiffened. Thus chivalry fared in Upper Asquewan Falls in the year 1911.

"I beg your pardon," he remarked. "You seemed to be in trouble, and I thought I might possibly be of some assistance."

The girl removed the entire handkerchief. The other eye proved to be the same admirable blue— a blue half-way between the shade of her cordu- roy suit and that of the jacky's costume in the "See the World—Join the Navy" poster that served as background to her woe.

"I don t mean to be rude," she explained more gently, "but—I'm crying, you see, and a girl simply can t look attractive when she cries." "If I had only been regularly introduced to you, and all that," responded Mr. Magee, "I could make a very flattering reply." And a true one, he added to himself. For even in the faint flicker-