Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-10-07
confounded reucence plqued me con-

eonrounded reucence piqued me con-
sumedly.
Miss Nancy, however, consoled me.
+ \ few days later the curiosity of the
witch bolted again.
She liked to sit upon the veranda over
! looking the ocean. On her face was re-
fiected the placidity of the waters; in
/ her heart, l knew. was the restlessness
( of the tides. Indeed, there was a smack
/ of the salt sea about the girl, of the sea
/ in all its moods and lenses. Her blood
/ ebbed and flowed beneath the freshest
skin; on her Eps, with the glimmer of
! teeth white as foam between their
4 curves, was the 1Aany-twinkling smile,
/ in her eyes an enchanting simmer.
J 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. l hate a
tepid temperament.
"Nr. Livingston"-how softly the syl-
I tables of my name dropped from her
mouth!-"which do you prefer, action
or inaction, peace or WARP"
Peace, Miss Nancy, at any price. l
push my little go-cart along the lines
of least resistance"
II 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?"
strip man." she cried, with q touch
of scorn, "of the rags we call manners,
take from him the Difference which he
pays to the opinion of society, and
what do you find?''
Sometimes, a beast"
All" She drew in her breath with
pretty sigh.
Sometimes, a god"
Does he teach small boys?' she
asked, demurely. Confess, now, Mr..
Livingston, you are something of
fraud. You ought to be tghting-with
Your pen, mean; staying monsters,
like Hercules; and instead you are
Talking to OmPhale. There is time
for everything"
Tell me"-she spoke ccaxingiy-
"your true reason for coming here.
Don't attempt to deceive me. can dis
tinguish truth from falzehood."
What eyes you must have! How do
you do it?"
It's very simple. Truth once seen
is never forgotte2; the poor dear, you
remember, wears no clothes-that's why
she lives at the bottom of we'll; but
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 to
thinking; and thought, like falsehood,
has many costumes in her wardrobe.
Where did Miss Nancy learn to talk? +?
Her mother, sweet, gentle soul, was no
conversationalist; her father, con-
found him, was a money-grabber. The
girl must be still in her teens; but her
shrewdneSs and wit amazed me.
NO man." l observed, "incriminates
himself. The reason of my presence here
must remain for the present at the
bottom of the well. But beware; have
found out your besetting sim"
She looked at me defiantly.
" don't believe it."
"a morbid love of excitement"
Wretch! You have laid your finger
upon a tender spot. Yes, l am fond of
excitement. The deadly dullness of my
life till-till quite lately has driven me
nearly crazy. l have the dramatic in
afr in Haavan lyt1n
where l got it, but can't be rid of 1t.
And my dramatic instinct tells me that
peaceful house, wnere yotI wouiu Irasc
expect ii; and you, Mr.. Livingston, are
! mixed up with this mystery. There,
it's out at last"
Poor child, how pitied her!
Miss Nancy" ! said, earnestly, 1.-The
wise old Greeks had a word which we
translate wrongly bitter-sweet. 1t
| should be sweet-bitter, for the bitter
ness comes last and remains. If you
could realize how sweet and fragrant
your present life is, you would be thank
fully content This is really fairyland,
| II 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
| NAV drive me from Eden? Very we'll;
| l take the hint"
At the end of the month Mrs. Gerard
requested private interview. Her face,
1 remarked, wore a troubled express
sion, and she twisted her slender fingers,
n sure sign of nervousness.
"I perceive" she began, softly, that
you are exploring a new country, Mr..
| Livingston. The French call it lie pays
| du tendre."
l was completely taken aback am
not man who wears his heart upon his
! sleeve, and 1 had taken infinite pains
TO keep that unruly organ out of sight.
| your silence" she continued, con
| firms my fears. Let me entreat you
to turn back before it is too late"
Turn baclt!" I calculated. Mrs.
Gerard, this is no walking tour. I am
traveling-by express"
1T is better to walk" she said, coldly.
1 could tell by her tone that she was
provoked.
at is better to crawl" I replied; "but
| Wnen IL IntiH Is olNig IiiASo oA4
hour it is dangerous to leave the train" +"
| But you must leave the train-at
once"
"And break my neck-my heart, I
mean"
"Hearts do not break" she muir
INJURED; "at least, not the hearts of
| men,"
Mrs. Gerard, YOU are cruel Have
you anything against me?"
mo, no; but Nancy is not, as-as
you think, the daughter of Mr.. Gerard.
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