The morning times., 1895-09-08

But in that instant Key caught u glimpse of
a face that might not only have thrilled
him in its beauty, its freshness, but in some
vague suggeStfveness. Yet il was not that
which set his pulses beating; il was the
look of Joyous recognition set in the parted
lips and sparkling eyes; the glow of child
like, innocent pleasure that mantled the
sweet young face; the frank confusion OF
suddenly realized expectancy and longing.
A great truth gripped his throbbing heart
and held it still. II was the face that he had
seen in the hollow. The movement of the
young girl was too marked to escape the
eve Of the Lady Superior, though she had
translated it differently. You must not
believe our young ladies are all SO rude,
Don Preble," she said, dryly; Though our
dear child has still some OF the mountain
freedom. And this is the Senor Rivers
sister. But possibly-who knows?" she said
gently, yet with a sudden sharpness in her
clear eyes, perhaps she recognized in your
voice companion OF her brother"
Luckily for Key, theshoek had been sosud-
den aud oyerpOwerlug that he showed none
Of the lesser symptoms Of agitation or en-
barrassment. In this revelation of a secret
that he now iustinCtyely felt was bound up
with his own future happiness, lie exhibited
none Of the signs OF a discovered intriguer,
OF unmaSked Lothario. He said, Quietly
and culdly: Il am afraid ! have not the
pleasure Of knowing he young lady, and GER
tainly have never before addressed her"
Yet he scarcely heard his companions
voices, and answered mechanically, see
ing only before him the vision OF the girls
bewitching face in its stiIl more bewitch
ing consciousness OF his presence. With all
that he now knew or thought he knew,
came a strange delicacy of asking further
questions, vague fear OF compromising
her, a quick impaticnce Of his present de-
Ception; eveuhis whole quest OF her seemed
now TO be a profa nation, for which he must
ask her forgiveness. He lonGcd to be alone
TO recover himself. Even the temptation
tolinger onsome pretcx taud waitfor herre-
turn and another glance from her joyous
eyes was not as strong as his conviction
of the necessity Of cooler thought aud action.
De had met His fate that morning, for good
or ii-that was all he knew. A soon as he
could dcCcntly retire be thanked the lady
superior, promised TO communicate with.
her later, and, taking leave Of Father Clip
riano, found himself again in the street.
Who was she, what was she, and what
meant her joyous recognition Of him? 1t
is 10 ue feared that it was the last question
that affected him most, DOW that he felt that
he must have really loved her from the
first Had she really seen him before, and
had been as mysteriously impressed as
be VS. II was not the reflection Of con-
ceited man. for Key had not that kind OF
vanity. and he had already touched the
humility that is at the base Of any genuine
passion. Ruthe would notthEk ofthatnow.
He had established the identity of the
other woman as being her compa Mon in the
house in the hollow ON that eventful night;
but it was her profile that he had seen
al the window. The mysterious brother
Rivers might have been one of the robbers
perhaps the one who accompanied Mrs.
Barker to san Jose but it was plain that
the young girl had no completely with
the actions OF the gang, whatever might
have been her companions confedera-
ton. In the prcscienCe of a true lover he
knew that she must have been deceived
and kept in utter ignorance of it.
There was no look of it in her lovely
guiIeless eyes; her very impulsiveness and
iDgenuousness would have long since be-
trayed the secret. Was it left for him, at
this very outset Of his passion, TO be
the one to tell her? Could he bear to see
those frank beautiful eyes dimmed with
shame and sorrow? His own grew moist.
Another idea began to haunt him. Would
il not be wiser, even more manly, for
hini-a man over twice her years-to leave
her alone with her secret, and so pass
out Of her innocent young life as chance
fully as he had entered it? But was it al
together chaDceful? Was there not in her
innocent happiness in him recognition
OF something better in him than he had
dared to thiDkof himself? 1t was the
last conceit OF the humility Of love.
He reached his hotel al last, unresolved,
perplexed, yet singularly happy. The clerk
handed him, in passing, misunderstanding
letter, formally addressed. without open
ing it be took il to his room, and, throwing
himself Iistlcssly on q chairby the window
again tried to think. But the atmosphere
of his room only recalled 10 him the mystic
rious gift be had found the day before on
his pillow He felt now with a thrill that
it must have been from her How did she
convey il there? She would have iDtrusted
il to Mrs Barker. The idea struck him now
as distastefulIy as il seemed improbable
Perhaps she had been here herself with
her companion-tle convent sometimes
made that concession To relative or we'll
known friend He recalled the fact that
he had seen Mrs Barker enter the hotel
alone, after the incident of the opening
door, while he was leaning over the bal
ustrade She was alone then, and had rCcog-
nizcd his voice; and he had not known it,
She was out again to-day with the process
sion. A sudden idea struck him. He glanced
quickly at the letter in shand, and hurried
ly opened it. 1t contained only three lines
in a large formal hand, but they sent the
swift blood to his cheeks.
Il heard your voice to-day for the third
time. / want TO hear it again. will come
at dusk DO not go until then"
Hesat stupefied. Wasitmadness, ,audaCity
or trick? He summoned the waiter. The
letter had been left by boy from theconfec-
toners shop in the next block He remem-
bered il OF old-a resort for the young ladies
OF the convent Nothing was easier than
conveying letter in that way. He remem-
bered with shock OF disillusion and dis
gust that it was common device of silly
but innocent assignation. Was he to be ths
ridiculous accomplice of a schoolgirls ex-
travagant escapade or the deiuded victim
OF some Infamous plot of her Infamous COM
panion? He could not believe either, yet
he could not check a certain revuIsion of
feeling toward her, which only moment
ago he would have believed impossible.
Yet whatever were her purpose he mu ss
prevent her coming there at any hazard. Her
visit would be the elimination of her folly
or the success of any plot. Even while he
was fully conscious of the material effect
OF any scandal and exposure TO her, even
while he was incensed and disinusionized