“Thank you, again,” she said, smiling. “It was so annoying. Cousin Harry promised to go with me on this train, and he went away with some friends and failed to appear. I was left to make the trip alone.”
“He is not appreciative of his opportunities,” said Harry, struggling with his first compliment.
“Oh,” she laughed, “Harry still regards me as a child. He never appreciated me—or anyone else, excepting himself.”
“Are you going far?” inquired Larry, after an embarrassing pause.
“To St. Gertrude’s. It is a girl’s school near Cascade. I am to go there because Harry is in Cascade and he is supposed to watch over and protect me.”
“Won’t that be fine?” ejaculated Larry enthusiastically. “I’m in Cascade—perhaps we may see each other occasionally.”
“You a Cascade man?” she asked. “Harry never mentioned any of the Pearton boys”——
“I beg pardon,” said Larry flushing quickly. “I forgot to tell you who I am—— Your cousin and I are—well, we are not friends. I am Larry Kirkland.”
“Larry Kirkland?” she said. “I never heard the name”——
“I’m Major Lawrence’s ward”——