Middletown transcript., 1900-11-17

"Then shall I leave you here, o
would you rather go back to the ball
room?"
Perhaps Nancy was disappointed. Per
haps she had expected to be pressed TO
another dance, but not a suspicion o
chagrin could Kesterton detect in he
voice as she answered.
81 will go back to the ballroom
please" and SO he took her back and lef
her.
They did not meet again until tea-tim'
the next afternoon, for the men had beer
out shooting all day.
The hall was looking warm and com
Portable, and most Of the party had gath
cred round the hugh log fire.
Kesterton came and sat behind Nancy''
chair as she was drinking her tea.
" I wonder what is the connection be-
tween apostles and spoonsp' he said look
ing intently at small silver spoon in his
hand, as if the explanation he asked for
were an all-important matter.
Nancy laughed. 'T am sure 1 don'l
know" she said. Perhaps the apostles
had a tendency that way. Even nowadays
dwellers in Church-land are more suscept-
ible to the influence of the softer sex than
other men, don't you think"
" Are they? I am afraid have never
considered the matter" His glance had
deserted the silver spoon and was now
resting on the small animated face only
half yard distant from his own.
'Why, yes," she went on, '"There are
many clergymen whose congregations are
wholly composed of women, and where
ever they go they have twenty love-sick
maidens' following in their train-and
matrons, too"
Kesterton smiled, :" I begin to believe"
he said, 'that you are student Of human
nature after all. How are you getting on
with your last new study?''
"My last new study?" she repeated,
(Which do you mean?"
why, myself, of course" little inn
You said you were going to
study me.
She shook her head. II have given up
Ill idea of that now." she said.
"Why? ?" he asked, a vein Of disappoint
nent running through his tone. cam l
90 dry subject even for you2'
A little thrill Of pleasure ran through
Ter because he had remembered her
words.
'It is not because you are too dry"
he said, ''but because you would not be
to the mind"
II don't see how you can know that
Intil you have tried" he said coldly.
''If you had been told book were bad
md you were advised not to read it, would
'ou feel inclined to do so?'
The fire leapt up, and Nancy was start
ed as she met the quick flash of anger in
<esterton's eyes, but his voice was very
uiete d as he answered.
~ think I should Pc just; would not
axe other peoples opinions on the sub
ect, but would read the book and Judge
Or myself" And then he rose from his
hair and went over to the other side of
he hall.
And Nancy wondered how it was that
he had never found Gerald Borthwick
uch bore before as she felt him to be
ow, when he hurried into Kesterton's
acated chair.
1t was few days later and Kesterton
anne into the room where Naucy was sit
ng.
"Miss Carew," he said, 'it is very bad
,r you to stay indoors all day. I am
Ding out for walk will you come with
le ?"
Nancy looked up lazily from her book. |
1t is too cold," she said, "and I am
Ire it is going to snow," glancing at the
ull leaden sky, "and l hate snow-don't |
ou ?"
"It is more likely to thunder than to
1ow," he said persuasively, "do come"
Nancy hesitated moment longer and
len gave in, and in five minutes time
he was ready, and the two were wend-
g their way through the park, the frosty
round ringing hard and crisp beneath
leir feet.
They went on in silence for few min
tes until they we're quite out of sight
the Grange.
"And now" said Paul, "you are going
tell me all the bad things you have
card about me, and inform me who are
lie people who said them"
Nancy shook her head.
II shall not" she said. II never re-
lat tales. Besides" little shyly, "I
ave made up my mind not to be in
fenced by them. I intend to follow
Dur advice and judge for myself"
A, swift CLEAN of pleasure lit up his
yes. "Thank you," he said simply. He
oked at her for moment and then re-
arked: "How different you are from
,ur cousins"
cam I? In what wayP''
He hesitated moment. ''They seem
be such warm-hearted girls, while you
you are like that icicle hanging there"
,inting to the tree above him; ''just as
vely, just as pure, just as cold, and"-
wering his voice SO that she could only
st catch the words-''iust as far beyond
y reach
Nancy's pace grew little quicker, and
faint access of color rose to her cheeks.
"You do not practise what you preach"
le cried. "How can you Judge what 1
n like when you have known me such
little timer"
'T judge you as I find you," he an
7ered land you have been very freez-
g to me-"
They walked on, talking idly, and
,ither OF them noticed how late It was
tting, nor how the day was drawing in.
sense Of fatigue at last woke Name.