The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-28

were sent only to stir this lazy race of
mongrels into activity. but that they are
enough to drive us Anglo-Saxons into
nervous frenzy. Don't you think so? But
you are young and energetic. and perhaps
you are not affected by them.'
She spoke pleasantly and playfully, vet
with a certain nervous tension of voice
and manner that seemed to illustrate her
theory. AT least Clarence, in quick SYM
pathy with her slightest emotion, was
touched by it. There is no more insidious
attraction in the person we admire than
the belief that we know and understand
their unhapplness and that our admiration
for them is lifted higher than a mere mu-
tual instructive sympathy with beauty or
strength. The adorable woman had suf-
fered, the very thought aroused his chiv-
airy. 1t loosened, also, fear, his quick,
lmpulsive tongue.
o yes; he knew it! He had lived under
this whip of air and sky for three years,
alone in Spanish rancho with only the
native poems around him, and scarcely
speaking his own tongue even to his
guardian. He spent his mornings on
horseback in fields like these, until the
vientos generales-as they called them
sprang up and drove him nearly frantic,
and his only relief was to hury himself
among the books in his guardians library
and shut out the world-just as she did.
The smile which lowered around the lady's
mouth at the moment arrested Clarence
with quick remembrance Of their former
relative positions, and a sudden conviction
of his familiarity in suggesting an equality
of experience, and he bIushed. But Mrs.
Peyton diverted his embarrassment with
an air of interested absorption in his story
and said:
Then you know these people thor
oughly: Mr.. Brant2 l am afraid that we
do not"
fInr la1 Ill.
within the last few DAYS, and with his
usual impulsive directness said So A
slight knitting of Mrs. Peyton's brows
passed oft, however, as he quickly and
earnestly went on to say that il was i'm
possible for the Peytons in their present
relations TO the natives to judge them, or
be Judged by them fairly. How they were
child-like race, credulous apd trustful,
but like all credulous and trustful people,
given to retaliate when imposed upon with
larger ins:nCerlty, cgaggeration and
treachery. How they had seen their
houses and lands occupied by strangers,
their religion scorned. their customs de-
rided. their partiarchal society in
vaded by hollow civilization or
frontier brutality. All this fortified
by incident and illustration, the
outcome OF some youthful experience. and
given with the glowing enthusiasm of con-
viction: Mrs. Peyton listened with the
usual divided feminine interest between
subject and speaker. Where did this
pick up this delicate and swift perception,
this reflective judgment, and this odd
felicity OF expression? 1t was not posi-
bic that it was in him while he was the
companion of her husbands servants, or
the recognized ''chum'' of that scamp
Hooker-noi But if he could have
changed like this-why not Susy2 Mrs.
Peyton IN the conservatism of her sex
had never been quite free from fears of her
adopted daughters hereditary instincts,
but with this example before her she now
took heart. Perhaps the change was COM
ing slowly, perhaps even now what she
thought was Indifference and GOODNESS
was only some abnormal preparation or
condition. But she only smiled and said:
Then If You think those people have
been wronged. You are nos on our side, Mr..
Brant ?''
What 10 an Older and more worldly man
would have seemed, and probably was,
only playful reproach. struck Clarence
deeply ana brought his pent-up feelings TO
his lips. ou have never wronged them
you couldn't do tit isn't in your ma
ture; | am on your side-and for YOU and
yours always. Mrs. Peyton. From the
nrst time saw you on the plains when |
was brought-a ragged boy-before you, by
your husband-I think | would gladly
have laid down my life for you. I don't
mind telling YOU now thas | was even jeal-
Gus OF poor SGsy-so anxious was for the
smallest share in your thoughts. if only for
a moment. You could have done
anything with me Won wished.
and should have been hap
ny: far happier than have been
ever since. / tel yoa this, Mrs. Peyton,