Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/296

Rh you now prefer me to believe that you did what was done to me."

"I see! I see!" he acknowledged humbly. "And, please, I don't prefer that! But, Miss Varris," he recollected himself in alarm, "whatever you may know, or be willing to believe about me, can't change it with the others. And you mustn't let me be seen with you. Oh, I can't tell you how I appreciate this! But you know you mustn't! If for no other reason, you are here without any older person and—it will make you conspicuous."

"Make me, Mr. Preston?" the girl mocked. "You could not have observed my entrance and progress down the deck, could you? Why, truly," she forced on lightly, "the only way I found relief was by coming down here near you; then the stares were divided. So, since I must pay anyway, I'm going to have my part of the fun. Every single, solicitous soul who took me up so officiously yesterday has dropped me as conspicuously to-day! They all merely sit and stare with the rest! And 270