Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-16

You may live to see it without growing
Wrinkled,' said !, striving to conceal my
annoyance.
and one that has repartee in him! Oh,
Marvellous
I'VE do not all lack wit in the country,
madame" said l, simpering as l supposed
the court gallants to shipper, nor since
the plague came to London, beauty
Indeed. it's wonderful she cried in
mock admiration do they teach such
sayings hercabouts, sir?'
Even so, madame, and from such books
as your eyes furnish" And for all her air
of mockery l was, as I remember. much
pleased with this speech. 1t had come
from some well-thumbed romance, / doubt
not. | was ever an eager reader of such
silly things.
She courtesied low, laughing up at me
with rosuish eyes and mouth.
Now, surely, sir she said, you must
he Simon Dale, Of whom my host, the gar
dener, speaks"
1t is mJ name. madame, at your service.
But the gardener has played me trick;
for now have nothing to give in exchange
for your name
Nay, you have very pretty nosegay in
your hand said She II might be per-
suaded to barter my name for it."
The nosegay that was in my hand I had
gathered and brought for Barbara Quinton,
and still meant to use it a peace offer
ing. But Barbara had treated me harshly,
and the stranger looked lovingly at the
nosegay.
THE gardener is a nggard with his
howers,' she said with a coaxing smile
TO confess the truth" said l. wavering
in my purpose, 1.-The nosegay was plucked
for another"
1T will smell the sweeter," she cried with
laugh. Nothing gives flowers such
perfume And she held out a wonderfully
small hand toward my nosegay.
rs that London lesson" l asked hold
Ing the flowers away from her grasp.
1t holds good in the country also, sir;
W Ia ir,d1 flf-n S,
flowers and more than one lady who loves
smelling them
Well" said 1, 1.-The nosegay is yours at
the price, and held it out to her.
The price? What, do you desire to know
my name?'
''Unless, indeed. I may call you one of nv
own choosing" said l with a glance that
should have been irresistible.
Would you use 1t in speaking of me to
Mistress Barbara there? No. I'll give YOU
name tc call me by. You may call me
Cydaria."
"Cydaria. A fine namew
1t is, said she carelessly, "as good as
any other"
But is there no other to follow it,"
When did a poet ask two names to head
his sonnet? And surely you wanted mine
for sonnet?'
so be it, Cydaria,'' said 1.
SO be 1t, Simon. And is not CJdaria as
pretty as Barbara
1T has strange sound" said l. but it
And now-the nosegay!"
Il must pay reckoning for this I
sighed; but since a bargain is a bargain l
gave her the nosegay.
She took it, her face all alight with
smiles. and buried her nose in 1t. 1 stood
looking at her. caught by her pretty ways
and graceful boldness. Boy though 1 was.
l had been right in telling her that there
are many ways of beauty; here were two
to start with. hers and Barbaras. She
looked up and, finding my gaze on her.
made little grimace as though it were
only what she had expected. and gave her
no more concern than pleasure.
Yet at such a look Barbara would have
turned cold and distant for an hour or
more Cydaria. smiling in scornful indul-
gence dropped me another hooking cour-
tesy. and made as though she would go her
way. Yet she did not go, but stood with
her head half averted, a glance straying
toward me from the corner of her eye
while with her tiny foot she dug the gravel
of the avenue.
TT is lovely place, this park" said she.
but. indeed. it's often hard to find the
way about it,
l was not backward to take her hint
II you had guide, now" began.
why, yes. if I had a guide, Simon" she
whispered. gleefully.
You could find the way, Cydaria and
your guide would be most"
Most charitably. engaged. But then"
She paused, dropping the corners Of her
mouth in sudden dependency.
But what then?'
Why. then. Mistress Barbara would be
alone"
1 hesitated. glanced toward the house.
looked at Cydaria.
''she told me that she wished to be
Alone" said 1.
mo. How did she say it?'
Il Will tell you all about that as we go
along, said /, and Cydaria laughed again.
CHAPTER II.
The Way of Youth.
The debate is years old: not, indeed, quite
SO old as the world, since Adam and Eve
cannot for want OF opportunity have fallen
out over 1T, yet descending to us from I'M
| known antiquity. But It has never yet
been set at rest by general consent. The
| quarrel over passive obedience is nothing
| to 1t. 1t seems such a small matter, though,
| for the debate mean turns on no greater
question than this: May a man who owes
allegiance to one lady justify by any train