Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-06

MIRANDA snivered. no saJ down squat
upon the bracken. Miranda groaned.
"I wondered at your cruel words, no
.begnn slowly Somehow they lifted Ill
your face, which is'-he blushed--"the
sweetest have seem"
"Oh, you are rash, said Miranda scorn-
fully. II dare swear that one with SO
much knowledge as yourself has weltered
among scores of pretty faces"
Indeed" he cried, bnt she broke In
upon his protest.
"For myself, lay no claim to beauty.
Let others fiaunt their titles ass they Will.
am we'll enough no doubt. / have the
face of youth, and my eyes have no squint
In them. But am assured you have seen
many pretty maidens"
| THAT is so," no cried eagerly, land
this the prettiest."
Miranda smiled. You do your friends
harsh injustice, +" sho answered. ~ have
| my years TO my credit and no more, which
| is O virtue through which each must pass.
| And what indeed Is beauty, II all be toldf"
"Beauty-it Is pearl" I" he gasped and
suddenly swallowed his emotion with .
gulp.
"I set no value upon pearls" said Mi
randa sedately. "Let others II they will.
While the world swings on folly will ring
her bells, fools jape and gossips chatter. Z"
He watched her ardently, and siding
q step nearer resumed his argument.
"You cannot tell, 4" he said, with how
full heart man regards beauty. The
tears start in his eyes ut the sight, his
breath catches, and his legs fall to trem-
bling"
"Ah, is it soS" asked Miranda indiffer-
emily.
1T Is with me, - he said earnestly. His
gaze embarrassed her. She turned her
head away. II have long wondered about
this love-" he stammered, land now I
know
Miranda looked round at him quickly.
"What is it like?" she asked. with some
interest.
Abashed, no thrust his fingers through
his hair. IL bog your pardon" he
suffered, "but I have scarce the where
withal to clothe my feelings. 1t makes
me-'tis like a-oh, feel-indeed, and 1
would do anything in your behalf" he
concluded bravely.
Miranda stared at him q second and
then smiled softly. He sprawled so un-
calmly. He lay huge hulk of ineptitudes.
His large blue eyes wore watered with at
fection. ''You are very good, " she MUIR
INJURED.
'Tis no goodness, he averred stoutly,
"but out of the very bottom of indulgent
selfshness. / would sacrifice worlds for
you.'
Miranda glanced at him slyly.
would you drown?" she asked.
He nodded.
Would you surrender me forever"
He hesitated.
would you sell your soul for me?''
He knit his brows into frown of puzzle
ment.
Why" cried she, "you would never
surely steal to see mo smilinef'
He shook his head thoughtfully. "No,"
he replied. 'Twould be q wrong you
would not ask of me-"
''And IL did?" she insisted.
He searched her face and then, II
would hire some one else for the job" +" he
declared, with sigh.
Miranda lay back on the turf and shook
with laughter. Suddenly she sat up. In
flash the laughter ceased, and, red and
white in turn, she tucked her bare feet
beneath her gown again.
Il trust, said he anxiously, "that you
have not hurt yourself"
"Oh, no'' she replied coldly. "Pray
continue. Your philosophy was most en-
tertaining. You make scruple of theft.
1 understand. But you could love me to
distraction. Oh, yesl You will pull down
the world for me, and you do 1t not by
your own hand. You will meet lions, and
you can find another to replace you You
will swear and forswear and break through
the Decalogue II you can do all these
things by substitute. Yours is wonder
ful sense of passion-so new, SO strange,
SO masterful. ~
The young man nodded his head sagely.
'Tis marvellous what change love will
bring to a man, but" he added doubt
fully, II would not break through the
Decalogue. dare not have another's blood
upon me. Oh, there are many things one
dare not do nor would you ask them! Why
do talk so wildly am content to love
you II you will suffer me-"
He leaned forward and took her hand
awkwardly. looking the while into her
face with bashful affection. She snatched
her hand away and laughed impatiently.
"Oh, you are too good, fair sir!' she
cried. II am not worthy OF your devout
devotion. IL have sins enough upon
my head, God wot, but none so great as
this unequal partnership would be. You
are too virtuous for such as I. You are
too composed OF discreet renunciations.
Renounce once more and save your soul
alive. Mino Is the waywardness OF the
wildcat. 1 have the passions Of the des-
perado I break through commandment
daily. I am right to my hair in sins.
Should repent should need an aero of
sackcloth and gallons Of ashes. But do
not Thank the Lord, shall not. am
stark In my vices plan them with re-
bellious joys. / complete them with exul-
tation. / am fond In fair wig, a ghoul
In white gown. To love mo is to love
pcrdition.
He stared at her dumbly and withdrew
pace.
Indeed" said she, ''you have every
reason for your fears. fear myself o.
nights / lie awake and think OF devil
ments. They float through my dreams.
pinch myself in wonder IL DO really hu-