The Tucson citizen., 1902-05-26

/ HlN"Iy rrTmu you as uuI,v smuvnIuE IA
one did not know that you haven't got
II In YOU to shock anybody. Women
are just about as much alike as men
are aiikc-no more, no less. Your fa-
! ther and mine are not alike, are they?
And Craig Thompson -- know him;
he comes to Kansas city sometimes
he isn't like any other man you ever
! saw. Is hef"
He is one Of the best men ever
saw replied Lisle, with enthusiasm.
Il think so too. We're agreed on
that. He says that am the best girl
he ever saw"
Does Craig Thompson say that" ex-
claimed Llsle incredulously.
"Yes. Is there anything remarkable
about it?"
II think there is. If he said that
shall like you"
"Oh, indeed! Thank you"
/ Were you ever a motherf" asked
Lisle calmly. remembering that Craig
had assured him that mothers were al
ways good women.
lie heard quick gasp from his com
panIon. He felt that his arm was re-
leased as suddenly as though 1t were a
redhot iron, and he turned toward the
woman In surprise. She had started
away from him and was standing in
/ the attitude OF one who wishes to run
away, but cannot. He saw that she
was trembling, and he fancIed that
/ there were tears In her eyes. lie knew
! that she was angry. One glance told
+ him that.
Il have offended again. he said
slowly. II do not mean to do so. DO
women regard II as an affront to be
asked II they are mothersY'
The young lady's composure return
| ed to her slowly. She did not reply 10
| his questions. Presently she approach
ed more nearly to him and. seizing him
! by one arm. turned him so that the
light of the newly risen moon shone
upon his face.
Il 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 knew what you asked me Just
then?"
YES; / asked you IT,
stop! You need not repeat IL. l
heard 1t the first time, and goodness
knows that once is enough! 1t was not
at all a proper question TO ask lady
girl-a woman. IL 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! III
you have any more questions like that
one to ask. suppose you write them
down and let me read them at my lei
sure. III think them over and reply
TO them by letter when I get back
home. Oh. dear! WIN you be offended
IL laugh? I've got to laugh. or cry,
or scream. or somethingm And she
did break into laughter. uttering peal
after peal Of the musical sound. but it
was more hysterical than mIrth pro-
voking. Lisie. only stared at her In
amazement. His feelings were hurt,
but he was far too proud to say SO.
Presently she recovered. and they
walked along silently side by side.
Both were strangely silent, and mes
ther noticed that the other was so.
The house had not been planned foE
entertainment, and particularly had fe
male guests and their many require
ments been left out OF the plans oi
construction aud furnishing. There
N n &
at all adapted 10 the uses OF woman
and to that one--it was T.isle'stht
young lady had been shown The II
brary couch was roomy and ccmforfa
Die, and upon that Lisle threw himself
after the others had retired. 1t was 9
much softer bed than be required for I
good nights rest.
Richard Maxwells bedchamber ad
, joIned the library. and the two were
connected by a door. which was rarely
closed. the portieres suspended from
the frame above 1t doing ample service
In the matter Of isoiating one from ih'
other.
I.isle selected book and read or ap
peared TO read long after his fathe
had retired AT last Ire put 1t down. di
vested himself OF his boots. coat ant
waistcoat, loosened his belt and, haV
, ing covered himself with Navaj'
blanket, went speedily TO sleep.
During the night he was awakened
An unusual sound startled him. and IN
. sat erect, listening. Impressed with tn
idea that his father had called. III
rose and tipfoed to the door. pulled th'
curtains aside and peered into the room
The moon. now resplendent. shone IL
at the window and athwart his father
, bed, and I.isle could see him plainly.
"Did yon speak. father he asked IL
/ a low tone. so that the sleeper nigh
not be disturbed IL he We're mistaken
I and. receiving no reply. he returned L
: the couch and composed himself u
, sleep again. He remained wide awake
however. while hour after hour paSse'
: by. thinking upon those perplexinj
problems which refused sufficiently Il
, shane themselves for recognition In
moon passed over the house anu SET
faAlAl.