The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-05-29

beauty and happiness and the joy of
living. But in my mind was the pic
ture of my love in the arms of an
other, and returning kiss for kiss.
Yet-the chosen lover of the Lady
Cynthia, boy, a fiddler, and cow
ardl
cousin Richard"
The words came softly and sweetly
to my ears. l turned sharply and
found Cynthia standing behind me.
Her hands were clasped before her,
and her head bent, a picture of bash
full humility, little, l thought, too
perfect to be true.
"Well?" l inquired shortly, being
not yet recovered from my anger and
scorn OF womankind.
81 have thought from your man
ner-or, indeed, cousin, from your
want of manner-that you are not
pleased with me-"
"You kissed the fellow" said /,
speaking harshly to hide the softness
of my heart.
"Why not?" she cried. What right
have you to spy on me? l will kiss
whom l like-so you need have no
fear for yourself, cousin Richard"
81 ask your pardon for my hasty
words" | said. But for n few weeks
you made me believe that my suit
was not distasteful. Now, in a mo-
ment, you cast me off for another.
Have no excuse for SORROW and an
ger?"
"Perhaps, Dick" she said softly
Then / was conquered. | threw
myself at her feet, crying that |
loved Et~ and would die for her, and
all the sweet, mad speeches that low
ers make. But she stood quietly
and when | found no more words
| (they were ever wont to fail mel she
looked down at me and said, smiling:
""Ne sun is warm, and | fear"
l sprang to my feet, for u moment
| hating where | had loved. But be
fore | could speak Cynthia held out
| her hands to me, crying:
NAY, you misunderstood me. /
did but suggest that under the great
oak tree we might converse with
more comfort, and" (here she
smiled at mel with less chance of
being overlooked"
"Are you still very angry with me,
Dick?" asked Cynthia, when we were
seated.
GLOW can | be pleased?" | re
turned, mournfully.
Then we must sit apart, not being
frieHds," she said, and glided round
the seat SO that her back was toward
me. and the trunk of the tree be-
| tween us.
SO we sat in silence, while ! pom
dered on the riddle that was SO hard
to read. Why had she come to me-
a discarded and angry lover with the
kisses of another and more favored
sutton fresh on her lips? And, great
er wonder still, why did she stay
with me and speak to me in this man.
ner?
| Presently as no sound came from
the other side of the tree, | moved
l could see the graceful curve of hel
white neck and rosebud nesting
in her dark hair. Then suddenly she
turned her head and met my gaze.
"Why do you look at me, cousin
Richard, if you are so angry with
me? But perhaps there is hate in
your eyes. Is there hate in your
eyes, cousin Richard?"
You know that | do not hate you,
/ answered.
81 would see for myself. Look al
me again, Dick"
Obediently | turned my head, and
she, doing likewise for moment, we
gazed into each others eyes. Their
she turned from me again and said
gravely shaking her head:
NAY, | think | need have no fear
You may come round u little-just G
little more-Dick."
And then | had the advantage, fol-
my arm slipped round her waist Sc
that she could not run away, and
with the air Of "A master (as, indeed
n man is when he holds his love il
his arms), demanded that she SHOULD
| ltll IlC IuC dnSNtI W tHt
There was once" she began, as i
: she told some tale of the fairies, 81
poor girl who worked for her bread
, She was foster sister to one who
> could have given her all she needed
but in her pride she would have non'
of it. Her only talent was in music
50 she joined a company of must
> clans, and, because none but mel
might play with them in public
places, she donned mans attire. Blu
it led her into sad trouble, for ont
day "A gallant gentleman would have
slain her because she met her sisteI
secretly, that their friendship nigh
not lead to the discovery of her dis
guise, and because that sister KISSED
I her"
But why did you not tell me thi
} before?' | cried amazed at tn
story.
l "HOur words were hard las
night, deserving punishment, and
: thought"