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 FLAMING

YOUTH

319

“Ah, but I’ve got the name now!” he cried, triumphant and tactful at once.

“Fentriss.

Miss Patricia Fentriss,

alias Pat, alias the Infant, alias the Demon. 4 “What a relieving memory you’ve got!” ‘who stood at the bend of the stairs and said goodnight so sweetly that I never quite got over it. But, J say; you have grown up.” He looked at her piquant, provocative, welcoming face and continued, with a gleam of mischief in his eyes: “Now that I’m recovering from the shock I seem to recall an older sister protruding from a door most inopportunely.” “Aren’t you afraid you’ll miss your train, Mr. Graves?” “I’m not going to the train.” “You’re carrying that satchel for exercise?” “I’m wishing it onto the parcels stand while I take a delightful young lady to luncheon.” “Surely you must be keeping her waiting.” “I’m daring to hope she'll come with me while I pry myself from this baggage. Will you, Pat?” “Oh; you’re asking me to lunch with you?” “Such is my dark and deadly purpose.” “T ought not to. But I want to.” He laughed delightedly. “You haven’t changed a bit inside and most marvellously outside. Then you'll come?” “You’d make a fortune as a mind-reader. There’s a condition though.” “Name

it; it’s agreed to.”

“That you'll forget all about that foolishness of ours at the party. I was only fourteen.” It was his turn to flush. “You make me ashamed of myself,” he said with such charming sincerity that Pat let fall a friendly and forgiving hand upon his arm for a second. “But let me tell you this. When I left your