The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-08-27

IN all It's tDppIs ana ttLSes iltr LiOCu
ebbsd and flowed beneath the freshest
skin; on her lips, with the glimnicr of
teeth white as foam between their
curves, was the many-twinkling smile,
in her eyes an enchanting simmer.
One could swear that those same eyes
would flash fiercely in time Of storm
and stress. and that the red lips, like
breakers, would curl angrily. Ihate 4
tepid temperament.
mfr. Livingston''-how softly the syl-
lables of my name dropped from her
mouth.-"which do you prefer, action
or inaction, peace or WARP"
peace, Miss Nancy, at any price.
push my little go-cart along the lines
! of least resistance"
- thought men''-she emphasized
the word-''preferred war"
Nowadays they leave that to wom-
en-"
But the love of fighting, of adven-
ture, is natural to man?"
40 uncniiized man, yes"
strip man." she cried, with touch
of scorn, "of the rags we call manners,
take from him the Difference which he
pays to the opinion of society, and
what 40 you hEu
Sometimes. q beast"
"Ah." She drew in her breath with
a pretty sigh.
Sometimes, god"
docs he teach small boys?" she
asked, demurely. Confess, now, Mr..
Livingston. you are something of a
fraud. You ought to be fighting-with
your pen, / mean; staying monsters,
ike Hercules; and instead you are"
Talking to OmPhale. There is time
for everything"
Tell me"-she spoke coaxingly-
your true reason for coming here.
Don't attempt to deceive me. can die
tinguish truth from falsehood."
What eyes you must have! How do
you do it?"
Its very simple. Truth once seen
is never forgotten; the poor dear. you
remember, wears no clothes-that's why
she lives at the bottom of u we'll; bat
falsehood is tricked out in the latest
fashion"
"And you have met truth face to
face?"
Il live with my mother"
1t was prettily said, but it set me 10
thinking; aud thought, like falsehood,
has many costumes in her wardrobe.
Where did Miss Nancy learn to tall? ?
Her mother. sweet, gentle soul, was no
conycrsationAlist; her father, con-
found him, was n noney-grabber. The
girl must be still in her teens; but her
shrewdness and wit amazed me.
mo man. observed. ''incriminates
himself. The reason of my preseDce here
must remain for the present at the
bottom of the well. But beware; Ihaye
found out your besetting sim"
She looked at me defiantly.
81 don't believe it,"
"a morbid love of excitement.~
wretch! You have laid your h7ger
upon n tender spot. Yes, i nm fond OF
excitement. The deadly dullness Of 10y
life till-till quite lately has dsiyG be
nearly crazy. I have the dram5 rfn-
stinct strong in me. Heaven knows
where got it, but can't be rid Of IL.
And my dramatic instinct tells me that
there is some mystery here, in this
peaceful house, where you would least
expect it; and you. Mr.. Livingston, arc
mixed up with this mystery. There.
it's out at last"
IoDT eIiIu. hO" pIticu ueTs
"Miss Nancy" / said. earnestly. the
wise old Greeks had a word which we
translate wrongly bitter-sweet. II
should be -sweet-bitter, for the bitter
ness comes last and remains. II YOU
could realize how sweet and fragrant
your present life is, you would be thank
fully content. This is really fairyland,
if you only knew it, but the beauty Of
it will never come home to you till
you have left it,"
DO you mean,' she said. slowly,
that the qualification of my curiosity
may drive me from Eden? Very well;
] take the hint"
At the end of the month Mrs. Gerard
requested a private interview. Her face,
] remarked, wore n troubled express
zion, and she twisted her slender fingers,
q sure sign OF nervousness.
IL perceive" she began, softly. that
you are exploring n new country, Mr..
Livingston. The French call il lc pays
du tcndre."
was completely taken ablck. am
not man who wears his heart upon his
sleeve. and had taken infinite pains
to keep that unruIy organ out OF sight.
"Your silence" she continued, CON
firms my fears. Let me cntreat you
to turn back before IL is too late"
Turn back!" I ejaculated. Mrs.
Gerard, this is no walking tour. I am
traveling-by express"
at is better to walk" /" she said. coldly.
/ could tell by her tone that she was
provoked.
at is better TO crawl" replied; ''but
when n man is travelling sixty miles an
hour it is dangerous to leave the train"
But you must leave the trnin-at
once"