Then the most remarkable transformation took place on the face of Goliath, John James. He dropped his stone mask with a suddenness so abrupt that they almost imagined they heard it break as it fell to the floor. His brow cleared and he flashed a smile that had a faint glimmering of Evelyn’s in the curve of the lips.
“Madam,” he said, holding out his hand, “let us be friends. I admit that I am beaten and that I may say that I am not ashamed to be conquered by a woman of such spirit and courage. I only wish my daughter had as much.”
Miss Helen put her small hand into his. She was too amazed for the moment to realize what she was doing.
“Come, Ebenezer.”
The great man made a low, ceremonious bow and departed from the room.
Then, what did General Helen Eustace Campbell do but have a genuine case of hysterics and require to be supported to her apartment by five highly excited young women!
CHAPTER XXI.—A MEETING IN THE DESERT.
Sand hills and plains, plains and sand hills, stretching out indefinitely and interminably. There was only one bit of color in all the monotonous landscape. A flash of red on the desert.
Six weary travelers, brown as Indians, hot and thirsty, their clothes, their hair, their eyes and nostrils filled with a fine dust. But a good traveler never complains and not one voice was lifted in protest.
Bang! went a tire—the second that day. Billie wearily stopped the motor and climbed out followed by the others.