Page 139 (1/1)

"I e could," said Lewis falsely His curiosity was keenly excited

"Why does he coe asked

"I suppose because he likes to 'knock about,' as you call it He is a tremendous traveller He has been into Tibet and all over Turkestan and Persia Gilbert says that he is the wonder of the age"

"Is he here just now?"

"No, I don't think so I know he is co to-morrow, because he wrote me about it, and promised to come to my dance But he is a very busy man, so I don't suppose he will arrive till just before He wrotehim up with hie naain Wratislarinkled face when he talked of him, and re one of the cleverest n Office is more interested than in any one else in the world" Wratislaw had never been in the habit of talking without good authority This Marker entleman of parts

Then conversation dwindled Lewis, hisnecessities of his an's er questions about hoe manfully took his place, and by a fortunate clumsiness steered the flow of the lady's talk from Glenavelin and the Wisharts Lewis spoke now and then, when appealed to, but he was busy thinking out his own probleht he should meet Marker, and his ould reveal itself Meanwhile he was in the dark, the flimsiest adventurer on the wildest of errands This easy, settled place, these Englishlish ladies who had no thought beyond little social devices to relieve the monotony of the frontier, all seeined hier; to his vexation this certainty see into the most conventional of visits to the most normal of places But to-morrow he should see Marker; and his hope revived at the prospect

"It is so pleasant seeing two fresh fellow-country "Do you know, you two people look quite different from our men up here They are all so dried up and tired out Our coot that weariness of the sun in theain But you two look quite keen and fresh and enthusiastic You mustn't mind compliments from an old woman, but I wish our own people looked as nice as you You will make us all homesick"