THE WINDOW OF THE SPHINX
ing out of the house before the Rader family were stirring; but it was necessary to intrude in Mrs. Rader's kitchen, previous to trying twenty miles on horseback, and he was still looking helplessly at an array of jars, all different in label and contents, none of which seemed to be either tea or bread, when the door opened and Blanche Rader entered.
He was exasperated. Had not he known how it would be! A woman was always cutting across your trail, not for any interest in you, just for perversity, or to know what was going on. She gave herself away with her first words.
"I was awake early this morning and heard you stirring. I thought perhaps you meant to get an early start." At least she did not ask him where he was going. She began to move deliberately about, lit the little oil stove, took a can labeled "Coffee" from the shelf where it had been glaring in his eyes, and set some bread to toast. The kitchen was filled with the searing and steaming of things cooking. She looked pale and languid, and had less the appearance of a person who is hardly awake, than one who has not slept enough. Her hair drawn up and held closely with a large bow of red ribbon showed the full white sweep of the neck at the back. Her head was carried a little to one side as if weary. She set out his breakfast on the kitchen table, but set it very
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