The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-09-22

The Greek replied, slowly, weighing
his words:
"Mr. Gerard is not alarmed on Miss
Gerards account"
"Strange, he never even mentioned
her name to me-"
Demetrius bowed; his sphinx-likc
features betrayed neither surprise nor
annoyance. | could not help admiring
the fellow. Never had | met a better
servant, nor one less servile. His dig
nifty was quite impressive. After all,
| reflected. if he wished TO emphasize
the difference between us. that was his
affair. and not mine. None the less his
COMPOUNDED 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-
/ nected the pncidity of the waters; in
her heart, knew. was the restlessncss
Of the tides. Indeed, there was a smack
of the salt sea about the girl, of the sea
i'm all its moods and lenses. Her blood
ebbed and flowed beneath the freshest
skim on her Rps, 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 fercely in time of storm
and stress, and that the red lips, like
breakers. would curl angrily. hate a
tepid temperament.
''Mr. Livingston"-how 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"
81 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.
"To uncivili2ed 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 fnd?'
Sometimes, a beast"
"Ah!" She drew in her breath with
a pretty sigh.
Sometimes, n god"
"Does 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, l 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. l 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'sw 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
Iace?"
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." | observed, "incriminatcs
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 sin"
She looked at me defiantly.
81 don't believe it,"
~ 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. / have the dramatic in
stinct strong in me. Heaven knows
where l got it, but l 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 her!
Miss Nancy" / said, earnestly, "the
| wise old Greeks had word which we
translate wrongly bittor-sweet. II
should be sweet-bitter, for the bitter
ness comes last and remains. Il you
[ could realize how sweet ana fragrant
your present life is, you would be thank
fully content. This is really fai-yland'
observer a pleasing rather than pain
full impression. / soon learned that she
had the incest appreciation of what
was good-brave deeds, kind words, en-
noblng books-and lavender-scented
prejudice against evil. No longer n
beautiful woman, she was distinguished
in appearance; her figure was still