The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-05-12

Demetrius bowed; his sphinX-lil<e
features betrayed neither surprise nor
annoyance. l could not help admiring
the fellow Never had l met better
servant, nor one less servile. His dig
nifty was quite impressive. After all,
l reflected, if he wished to emphasize
the difference between us, that was his
affair. and not mine. None the less his
confounded reticence piqued me con-
sumedly.
Miss Nancy, however, consoled me.
A 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
Of the tides. Indeed, there was 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 kps, with the glimmer 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. hate a
tepid temperament.
"Mr. .Livingston"--hows softly the syl-
tables 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"
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?"
ITO uncivilized 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 do you find?"
Sometimes. beast"
"Ah!" She drew in her breath with
pretty sigh.
Sometimes, god"
"Does he teach small boys?" she
asked, demurely. Confess, now, Mr..
Livingston, you are something of a
fraud. You ought to be ighting-with
your pen, mean; Staying monsters,
like 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. 1 can dis
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 Il 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
cnnversationalist; 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." observed, 'incriminates
himself. The reason of my presence here
must remain for the present at the
bottom of the well. But beware; l have
found out your besetting SIM
She looked at me defiantly.
II don't believe it."
"A morbid love of excitement"
Wretch! You have laid your finger
upon a tender spot. Yes, am fond of
excitement. The deadly dullness of my
life till-till quite lately has driven me
nearly crazy. l have the dramatic in
stinct strong in me. Heaven knows
where 1 got it, but 1 can't be rid of it.
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, are
mixed up with this mystery. There,
it's out at last"
Poor child, how pitied herl
Miss Nancy" said, earnestly, "the
wise old Greeks had 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 sairyland,
ff you only knew it. but the beauty OF
lit 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;
l take the hint"
At the end of the month Mrs. Gerard
requested private interview. Her face,
l remarked, wore troubled expires.
sion. and she twisted her slender fingers
a sure sign of nervousness.
II perceive" she began, softly, that
you are exploring a new country, Mr.,
Livingston. The French call it lie pays
du tendre."
was completely taken aback. am
not man who wears his heart upon his
sleeve, and / had taken infinite pains
to keep that unruly organ out of sight