Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-08-17


~ preferred 10 women in lots OF places.
Papa never took me with him on one
of his trips before. but just wouldn't
let him so without me this time. An
hour ago | would have given the world
to be back again in Kansas City. and
now wouldn't be anywhere else than
here " could. What IA pleasant room
this one is" rlSirg and passing un-
tremendously through TIE open win
dow. This is the library? Your son
mentioned IL TO US, hut did not sup
pose thar anybody had such a thing as
a real library i'm this region"
She began an inspection of the book
shelves. which she continued with YER
bal Improvement OF the bindings until
her eyes rested usoa the piano.
We'll. never" she declared vehe-
mently. Then. raising her voice. she
called out, who plays upon thls-the
Chinese cookY'
mo" responded quiet voice direct
ly behind her, My father and play
upon it,
why, Mr.. Maxwell! How you star
tied me! l did not hear you come In.
Whoever would have expected to find
a piano here? Why. you are really
quite civilized, are you notT'
She raised her eyes to Lisle's when
she asked the question, and her eyes
and face were much more perfect than
her manners, for they were exquisite.
but when they encountered the wide
eyed stare with which Isle was re-
garding her her glance sank in confu-
sion. and the red blood suffused her
throat and cheeks and brow. Then,
because he continued silent and because
she knew that he was still watching
her. she became angry.
zone would think that you never
saw a woman beforeT she exclaimed.
81 never did" was the quiet reply.
"what?"
Miss Thomas forgot her confusion
and her anger at the same instant.
What did you say? Say II again,
please" she exclaimed after a short
pause.
you are the first woman that ever
, saw. Miss Thomas" said Lisie in the
same quiet tone. He was perfectly
self contained. He regarded the beau
tiful creature before him with exactly
the same emotions that he would have
felt If be had been standing before q
cage in menagerie, viewing some rare
specimen of capture from equatorial
Africa. lie was studying her physique
without approval mentally rejoiced
that his own in no way resembled IL.
That slender waist, which be might
| have spanned with his fingers, found
no likeness In his own That swelling
bust prominent beneath the tight fit
ting tailor made waist. appeared TO
bin like a deformity. The tightly
drawn skirt Of brown cashmere SEEM
| ed TO him as though h would be a de-
cided impeachment to walking. and he
realized at once why Its wearer bad
declined 20 mount his horse. Her hair
blled him with wonder. She had
thrown aside her hat, and he saw upon
her head the most remarkable specta-
CHE he had ever witnessed. Miss Thorn
as was Justly proud sf her hair. She
had often been accused OF bleaching II,
but she had the satisfaction OF know
Ing that II was not only natural. but
that Its tint could not be counterfeited
by all the chemicals In the world. and
Isle studied IL In Amusement. lie be-
ueved that II 1t were permitted to fan
to Its full length II would have reached
to the ground. as indeed II would. or
very nearly so. He thought II must be
very heavy TO carry around. and he
wondered II she slept with II that way.
While he studied her the anger In
her face died out altogether and gave
place to an expression OF genuine
amusement.
This is the first time" she said
presently, "the very first time, In all
my life that ever posed as curiosity.
l rather Ike Il. Go on. am sorry that
did not think to provide myself with
a catalogue. Perhaps. though. can as
sist you verbally. What are you look
ing at now-my boots? They're twos.
manufactured by Smith & Brown, Main
street, Kansas City; quality. OF the fin
| est; shape. the latest; style. unexcep-
tional; finish. superb; handsome and
warranted; price, $50. What now
Look Ut them closely: ! wear tives
My, how cold your hands are. They're
like ice. See how warm mine are. Oh.
the rings! Did you think they were
corns? They slip of and on-so. One
VI lilSAIl-lulS Ofc-tS an engagement
ring, bat shan't marry the man who
put IL there. How old are you, Mr.
Maxwell-more than ~"
Il am -" Lisle still kept his eyes
fixed upon her, changing his gaze from
point TO point in search OF new sur
| prises and further marvels. He was
mentally comparing her to himself, and
he thought that there were many points
| OF similarity which he had not at first
discovered; also that they We're decld-
| edly unlike To him she was human
| paradox.
Are you reallyY' she exclaimed. II
should have said that you were much
| - 4 VI =