Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 181: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

172 DARKE DARRELL, He bowed. She crossed over and held out her hand. ‘¢ You didn’t recognize me, Mr. Darrell,” her voice charm- ingly sweet, her cheeks reddening. ‘Not until you referred to that—that—pledge,” and Darke wondered why he stammered. ‘‘I was puzzled, though; I was trying to recall. You have grown very— very,” he coughed, then stopped, conscious that he was very red in the face. ‘‘“Much,” she said, laughing, and completing the sen- tence, a twinkle in her eyes. “Yes,” assented Darke. He had not meant to say that, but was willing to accept anything. “You have grown much, too,” the twinkle widening, she pretending to stand on her toes. Darke recovered his self-possession. «“T paused to weigh my words,” he said, ‘ hecaces it oc- curred to me that you might no longer be Miss Cassandra.” “But I am,” laughing softly. ‘*‘Now you shall some-— time complete that pretty little speech.” ‘‘ When no ears are by to hear but yours,” growing bold. ‘“* Allow me,” taking out his pencil, and seizing the gilded and perfumed programme dangling from her chain. ‘“< Every dance taken,” with a grimace. ““Never mind,” pacifyingly. <‘‘I shall disappear, like Cinderella, when the clock strikes twelve.” ‘“* And I'll be vexed and disappointed as the prince.” _**T'o watch for me on the veranda. There—the orches- tra has been seized with another spasm,” laughing, and seeking her partner’s side. Darke met Leotine the next day, and the next. Soon- they were so much together that the other rivals abandoned the field. Mrs. Cassandra made no objection; Mr. Cassan- dra was abroad, knew nothing about it; hence had no opinion to express. GEomicbooks:co