Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-02-19
eautiful house, instead of being left at

| llshment III our country Side"
"Despise it'll" he repeated, "no;" then
stopped as if unwilling TO say what had
been in his mind, and added after that
pause, Il have been content with it
hitherto"
lie spoke to her father for the few
moments until dinner was announced,
but as he talked he looked now and
then toward where the girl stood still
in the shadow of the curtain watching
the rosy clouds assembling for the sun
set.
She was dressed entirely in white-a
very long plain gown, and she wore no
ornaments, no color anywhere about
her. excepting three rows of gold braid
in her dark-brown hair, and little
bunch of yellow daisies in the lace at
her throat. In her hand she held a large
screen Of peacock's feathers.
But the plainness OF her dress suited
her, like her repoSe of manner, and the
rather slow, soft way she had of speak
ing, or rather as this stranger observed,
hearing her address her father, she had
q way of beginning her sentences slow
~ and then hurrying little over the
last words, which pleased his ear; it
sounded like soft little caress given to
the gentle old man, who seemed to live
III her love. 1t was tender domestic
duld, anu ilt lOllllu lllS tllollSlllS WALL
dering TO it occasionally. Then dinner
was announced. and he was walking
downstairs with Sydney Lorraine hand
on his arm.
He was Il very handsome man-of that
fact Miss Lorraine had been aware when
she first looked into his delicate, fair
face; but the charm of which she was
conscious lay in something more than
beauty, and she was conscious all din
ner-time of watching him, and striving
to analyze whence it proceeded.
The courteous manner in which he
listened TO her Old father pleased her. it
was SO entirely wanting in either the
f1lppancy or rOughnesS which Jared up
on her often in the younger men she
met. They wanted something distinct
from the mannerismS of an older gem
GRAFTON, which were unsuited TO their
youth, and which yet should not take
the form of no manners at all: some
subtle mingling of dignity and courtesy,
which this stranger was possessed OF.
Without being sad his face was grave
grave for his one-and- thirty years; but
once, as he suddenly looked up and
smiled at some remlnlscence of his faith
er's youth, of which Mr.. Lorraine was
speaking, Sydney noted the light 1t lent
to his face, changing it in a moment,
mouth. and lighting as with sunshine
the blue eyes. His talk was chiefly with
Mr.. Lorraine. and with him about the
papers and books on botanical subjects
which he had brought from his father.
He appeared to be not ignorant him
self of the subject, and spoke as if it
were one on which he was accustomed
to express opinions. And Sydney grew
quiet and listened, and then found her
thoughts drifting away into speculation
of what his home might be like, and
what his life might be.
Il suppose lie is a soldier" recalling
his nationality. Il dare say father has
told me, but quite forget"
You are very quiet, sydney" Her
fathers voice recalled her to the fact
that dinner was over. Are you going
TO show Count Lindenheim our beauti
full garden?"
No, father, am not" And then,
turning ia an explanatory manner to
her guest, whenever father saws that"
she began, 1T means that he hopes [
am going somewhere whore | shall re-
main ignorant of the fact that he is writ
ing or reading by candle-llght. And
that is forbidden"
"She takes great care Of me-" remark
ed Mr.. Lorraine, and. unfortunately, it
is impossible to deceive her"
True, father. and that kind of wo-
man is very tiresome III everyday life"
And why?"
She had spoken jestingly. but Count
Won Lindenheim' 5 eyes were turned
gravely upon her. as if demanding an
explanation of her random words.
swell, why, Sydney" her fatherques-
toned also during the little pause.
IL feel as if | were an oracle" she re-
piled, Having to give two answers to
the same question. To you, father, be-
cause. speaking from experience, men
are always doing things that they do
not wish TO be found out" And then,
her voice changing. and losing its light
tones as she rose. and turned toward
the earnest eyes still turned toward her,
Because men can never quite rise to
the same heights they were on, before
they were found out"
Having spoken she walked away and
left them, and she was nOtqu'te certain,
as no comment followed her words,
whether the rapid English had not a lit
tie perpleXed him.
But apparently it was not so, for n
very short time afterwald. as she sat in
the low window-seat TOYING with the
peacock fan she again held, the door
opened to admit the two men. And al
most Immediately the younger walked
over to her side, and picking up the
conversation where they had left 1T off:
"Then YOU think that no man can re-
main what a woman believes him to
bey' lie asked.
THAT he must be found ont? That is
exactly what | told father"
"Ahl but the oracle must not mingle
its answers. Mine was different-and |
disagree with it,"
And why?' she asked. her voice
growing more serious. and the fan fall
ing unnoticed on her lap. "Do you
think that the woman is deceivable, or
that the man would never do anything
that he would not wish her to know? /,
you know, only deplored her keensight-
edness-it is her misfortune"
No, it is not, there | disagree. But
is it fair to put us on heights, aud then
blame us because you find out we are
not capable of remaining there? 1t is
blaming the idol, when you should blame
the idolater."
Perhaps" she said thoughtfully.
He had spoken seriously, but when he
noted how grave her face was. he smiled.
And then, NO. no." he added; I'VE