The Portland daily press., 1895-04-20
md he had done his best in hon.

D6SSs BILL LIZ Cct1nO Ullug L
have an intermittent trick of petulence. !"
The light beamed into a broad grin upon
hisface
Miranda shivered. He sat down squat
upon the bracken. Miranda groaned.
II wondered at your cruel words,'' he
began slowly. Somehow they fitted ill
your face, which is''-he blushed-"t the
sweetest have seen."
"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, but she broke in
upon his protest.
''For myself, I lay no claim to beauty.
Let Others faunt their titles as they will.
I am well enough no doubt. I 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, he cried eagerly, land
this the prettiest."
Miranda smiled. ''You do your friends
harsh injustice, she answered. II have
my years to my credit and NO more, which
is virtue through which each must pass
And what indeed is beauty, if all be told?'
. Beauty-it is PEARL he gasped and
suddenly swallowed his emotion with a
gulp.
II set no value upon pearls said Mi
randa sedately. Let others if they will
While the world swings on folly will ring
her bells, fools jape and gossips chatter. ;"
He watched her ardently, and siding
step nearer resumed his argument.
.'You cannot tell, - he said, with how
full heart man regards beauty. The
tears start in his eyes at the sight, his
breath catches, and his legs fall to trem-
bling"
"Ah, is it so?'' asked Miranda indiffer.
emily.
6 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 T
know"
Miranda looked round at him quickly
What is it like?'' she asked, with some
interest.
Abashed, he thrust his fingers through
his hair. II beg your PARDON he
suffered, ''but I have scarce the where
withal to clothe my feelings. 1t makes
me-'tis like a-oh, I feel-indeed and I
would do anything in your BEHALF he
concluded bravery
Miranda stared at him second and
then smiled softly He sprawled SO I'm.
calmly. He lay huge hulk of ineptitudes.
His large blue eyes were watered with af-
lection. ''You are very good, she muir
INJURED.
lis no goodness, - he averred stoutly,
"but out of the very bottom of indulgent
selfishness. l would sacrifice worlds for
you"
Miranda glanced at him slyly.
Would you drown?'' she asked,
He nodded.
''Would you surrender me forever?n
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 me smiling?''
He shook his head thoughtfully sNo,"
he replied. 9 'Twould be a wrong you
would not ask of me-
And if did?" she insisted.
He searched her face and then, II
would hire some one else for the job, I" he
declared, with sigh.
Miranda lay back on the turf and shook
!" Iva tos51oSi' hoQOOCAIy pI.O ortu QP LII
a flash the laughter ceased, and, red and
white in turn, she tucked her bare feet
beneath her gown again.
II trust said he anxiously, ''thati you
have not hurt yourself. -
'Oh, no!'' she replied coldly. "Pray
continue. Your philosophy was most en-
pertaining. You make scruple of theft.
understand. But you could love me to
distraction. Oh, yes! You will pull down
the world for me- and you do it 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 if you can do all these
things by substitute Yours is wonder
full sense of passion-so new, so strange,
SO maSterful."
- The young man nodded his head sagely.
tbs marvellous what change love will
bring to 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 themi Why
do talk so wildly? am content to love
you if 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. FL 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.
Renoqnce once more and save your soul
alive. Mine is the waywardness of the
wildcat. have the passions of the des
perado. break through commandment
daily. I am right to my hair in sins
Should repent should need an acre O.
sackcloth and gallons of ashes. But do
not Thank the Lord, I shall not. I am
stark III my vices. plan them with re-
bellious joys. complete them with exul-
tation. [ am a fend in fair wig, ghoul
in white gown. To love me is to love
perdition'
Fe stared at her dumbly and withdrew
. pace.
Z Indeed" said she, you have every
reason for your fears I fear myself. O.
nights I lie awake and think of devil
ments. They float through my dreams.
pinch myself in wonder if be really hui
man. There is no audacity I could not