Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-09-21
BY fdas. M0LESM0RTh-

to take the trouble. And gradually,
though very gradually only, Miss Ffordc
began to thaw. She, too, could talk;
though her words were never many
they struck him as remarkably well
chosen and to the point. Yet more,
they melted him to further effort There
was the restraint Of power about .hem;
not her words only, but her tone and
expression, the quick play of her feat
ures, the half-veiled glances of her
eyes, were full of Il curious fascination
seeming to tell how charming, how
responsive a companion she might be
il she chose.
But the fascination reacted as an ir-
ritant on Mr.. Norreys. He could not
get rid of a Notifying sensation that
he was being sounded and his measure
taken by this presumptuoIs little girl,
Yet he glanced at her. No: "~preSumptu-
ous' was not the word to apply TO her.
He grew almost angry at last, to the
extent of nearly losing his ~self-con-
troll.
You are drawing me out, Miss
Fforde," he said, lin hopes of my dis
playing my ignorance. You know much
more about the book in question, and
the subject, than L do. III you will be
so good as to tell me all about it, T.
She glanced up quickly with, for the
first time. II perfectly natural n I'm
constrained expression on her face.
"Indeed-indeed, no." she said. 81
I'm very ignorant. In some ways I
have had little opportunity of learning"
Despard's face cleared. There was
no question Of her sincerity.
Il thought you were playing me on"
he said boyishly.
Miss Fforde burst ont laughing, but
she instantly checked herself.
What a pity" thought Mr.. Norreys.
II never heard a p~rettier laugh" II
did, indeed" he repeated, e~xaggeraing
his tone in hopes of making her laugh
again.
regained the calm, formal composurc 1t
had worn ut the beginning of the dance.
"She Is like three girls rolled into
one" thought Despard. 'Thc shy, coun-
try-bred miss she seemed at first" and
a feeling of shame snot through him
ut the recollection Of bis stupid judg-
ment, then this cold. impassiye, prin-
cess-like daInsei. aud by titful glimpsas
yet another. with nothing in common
with either. And Notwithstanding the
Ioh SiI1 lu NllOrth ~ pay -
ly suspect it is but a role" he decided
hastily.
The riddle interested him.
MAY Twill you rot give me another
dance?" he said deterentially, for the
tenth waltz had come to an end.
Il am sorry 1 cannot" she replied.
The words were simple md giriish, hut
the tonc was regal. Goodnight, Mr..
Norrcys. l congratulate you on your
self-sacrifce at the altar of friendship.
You may now take your departure with
q clear conscience"
He stared. She was repeating some
Of his own words. Miss Fforde bowed
coldly and turned away. And Despard,
bewildered, mortified even, though he
would not own it, yet strangely attract
ed, and Disguised with himself tor being
SO, after a passing Word or two with
his hostess, left the house.
An hour or two later Gertrude E.ngle-
wood was bidding her young guest
goodnight.
"And all, Maisie!7 she exclaimed,
show did you get on with Despard?
Is he not delightful"
Miss Fforde smiled quietly. They
were standing i'm her room. for she was
W sptlu a hiShN VI WV 'hNe '~h
friend.
Ito tell you the truth, I would
much rather not speak about him." she
said. HE Is very good looking, and
well, not stupid. l dare say. But l am
nit used to men, you know, Gertrude
not to men Of the day, at least. Of
which l suppose he is a type. | cannot
say that / care to see more of them. /
am happier mt home with papa"
She turned away quickly. Gertrude
did not see the tears that rose to the
girls eyes or the rush of color that
overspread her face ut certain recol-
lections of that evening. She was nine
teen. but 1t was her first real dance
and she felt as if years had passed since
the afternoon only two days ago when
she had arrived.
Mrs. Englewood looked and felt sadly
disappointed. She had been so pleased
with her own Diplomacy.
TT will be different when you are a
little more In the way of It," she said.
"And-I really don't think that your
should insist On your dressing quite so
plainly. 1t will do the very thing he
wants to avoid-it viii make you re-
markable.
mo, no." said Maisie. shaking her
head. Papa is quite right. You must
allow it had not that effect this even
ing. No one asked to be introduced to
me"
There was such Il crowd" Ger
trude began, but this time Maisie's
smile was quite a hearty n as she
interrupted her.
Never mind about that" she said.
"But do tell me one thing. l saw Mr..
NorrpyS sprakfny tO Won for n
as he went out You didn't say any
thing to him about me. | hopeg"
NO" said Mrs. Eng ewood, II did
not. I would have liked to do So" she
added. hoestly. bat somehow he
looked queer-not exactly bored, bun
not encouraging. So | just let him 60"
That's wight" said Maisie. Thank
you. | am So glad you didn't. 1 ito
hope I shall never see him again." she
added to herself.