The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-08-16

there were tears in her eyes. He knew
that she was angry. One glance told
him that
IL have offended again." he said
slowly. IL do not mean TO do so. DO
women regard II as an affront to be
asked if they are mothersY
The young lady's composure return
ed to her slowly. She did not reply to
Ills questions Presently she approach
ed more nearly TO him and, selling him
by one arm, turned him so that the
light of the newly risen moon shone
upon his face.
81 wonder" she said musingly, ad-
dressing the words more TO herself
than TO him, IF you are such an inno-
cent as you would have me Think DO
you know what you asked me just
them"
Eyes: asked you IT.
stop! You need not repeat ii.
heard ii the first time. and goodness
knows that once is enough! 1t was not
at all a proper question to ask lady
a girl-a woman. If you give me many
more starts like that, won't answer
for the consequences. Kansas City
girls can stand pretty much anything,
but you are one too many for me! If
you have any more questions like that
one to ask, suppose you write them
down and let me read them at my lei
sure. I'll think them over and reply
to them by letter when | get back
home. Oh, dearl Will you be offended
If | laugh? I've got to laugh, or cry,
or scream. or something! And she
did break into laughter, uttering peal
after peal Of the musical sound, but it
was more hysterical than mirth pro-
vokng Isle only stared at her in
nmazement His feelings were hurt,
but he was far too proud to say so.
Presently she recovered, and they
walked along silently side by side.
81 feel az though l were In China"
she said III last, possessing herself
again of his arm, which she had to
shape to her uses before taking it. Il
have been told that they do every
thing backward there, and here you
are the one who is offended, while l
ought to be simply speechless with out
ragged modesty. You are certainly the
most refreshing subject that | ever en-
countered. wonder if it would wake
you UP if | should kiss you"
The spirit of mischief was in her
now. She felt that the arm 10 which
she chung belonged TO a child-a child
xN~b c1nnnin,r Nvh ha1 Slanf lnntr
enough and who ought TO be awakened
but she was not prepared for the
calm reply that she received to n
proposition that would have startled
any other man than the one beside her
you may do so, if you like" said
Lisle, unmoved and with the utmost
seriousness. 81 have never kissed any
body but my father. In all probability
will never do so again. l have no
objections, if you have not"
She was shaking with laughter.
Presently the paroXysm passed, and
then demurely she raised her pink and
white face until it hung just beneath
his. The moonlight shone full upon it,
and Lisle noticed then for the first time
how delicately formed it was, how soft
and clear and sweet it appeared in that
mellow light. He saw how round and
blue and perfect were her eyes, half
plunged in shadow by the drocping
lashes that fringed them, dancing with
mischief. They reminded him of fairy
elfns, peeping out from their rose leaf
concealment, prepared at the first
alarm to pull the leaves together and
hide. He saw two perfect lips, be-
witchlngly puckered, red, like ripe
cherries; soft, like new velvet, like the
rose leaves behind which the fairies
flew to hide. and he leaned over and
touched them with his own.
They walked on in silence after that
THAT was funny" she said pres
emily.
what was funny?" asked Lisle.
"That. Your lips are just like a
woman's. You kissed me just like a
woman. l wonder If you were not cut
out for one and spoiled in the max
ing"
Isle shook himself free from her
arm and leaped away. His eyes blazed
at her, his nostrils dilated with anger,
his lips quivered, and his whole being
trembled in the effort he made to con.
troll his rage.
you are my guest" he said when he
dared to speak. but his voice was low
and fierce with passion. 81 cannot re-
sent that as | would like to do. But
will tell you this: a mana cowboy,
one of Craig Thompson's men - said
those words to me once, and l shot
him."
"Shot him! Good gracious! Did you
kill himT
mot then. but afterward l did"
'B-r-r-r! Well, / guess you're a man
all right-in some ways, If not in 9th
ers. Are you madY
81 am angry"
"Bosh! Because / said that? l didn't
mean 1t. VIII that suffice? I'm sorry.
We're even. anyhow. You offended me,
and ! didn't cherish IL up, so you
mustn't. Kiss me again, and let's be
friends"
you will say that kiss like wom-
an"
"No I won't I won't sav n word