The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-11-21

Piled. which fat overDaIance my
greater stature and stronger muscles
Then after pause he added. after al
a girl must be a girl"
Something IN his face, something Il
her heart, startled her 90 that she made
a quick little move like that OF a rest
less bird.
"You are beautiful. and that make
my eyes and my hand uncertain" n
went on. "were I fencing with ,
man there would be no glamour"
He spoke In English, which be al
not often do in conversation with her.
Il was a align that be was somewhat
wrought upon. She followed his rapid
words with dihculty, but she caught
from them a new note OF feeling. He
saw little pale fare shoot across her
face and thought she was angry.
"Hou should not use your dlmples to
distract my vision" he quickly added,
with light laugh. "It would be no
worse for me to throw my hat in your
face"
His attempt at levity was obviously
weak She looked straight into his
eyes with the steady gaze OF a simple,
earnest nature shocked by current
quite strange to II. She did not un-
derstand him, and abe did. Her fine
intuition gathered swiftly together a
hundred shreds OF impression received
from him during their recent growing
intimacy. lie was patrician, as che
vaguely made him out man OF
wealth, whose family was great. He
belonged among people OF gentle birth
and high attainments. She magnlhed
him so that he was diffused In her i'm.
agination. as difficult TO comprehend
as a mist In the morning air-and a.
beautiful
"You make fun OF me-" abe said very
deliberately, letting her eyes droop,
Then she looked up again suddenly
and continued. with u certain naive ex.
preston OF disappointment gathering
In her face: II have been too free with
you. Father Beret told me not to for.
get my dignity when In your company.
He told me you might misunderstood
me. don't care shall not fence
with you again" She laughed, but
there was NO Joyous freedom In the
sound.
''Why, Allce--my dear Miss Roussll.
Ion, you do me a wrong. beg thou.
sand pardons II I've hurt you" he
cried, stepping nearer 20 her, "and I
can never forgive myself. You have
somehow misunderstood me, know
you haver
On his part Il was exaggoratlng a
mere contact OF mutual feelings into a
dangerous collision. lie was as much
self deceived az was she, and he made
more noise about Il.
"It ls you who have misunderstood
me-" she replied, smiling brightly now,
but with just faint, pitlful touch OF
regret or self blame lingering In her
voice. Father Beret said you would.
l did not believe him. butt
"And you shall not believe him." said
Beverley. II have not misunderstood
you. There has been nothing You
have treated me kindly and with beau
tiful friendllness. You have not done
or said a thing that Father Beret or
anybody else could criticise. and II
have said or done the least thing 10
trouble you / repudiate It'll did not
mean II. Now you believe me, don't
you, Miss ROussllonw
He seemed 10 be falling into the hnb.
II OF speaking 10 her In English. She
understood II somewhat imperfectly, e.
pecially when In an earnest moment he
rushed his words together as II they
had been soldiers he was leading at the
charge step against an enemy. His
manner convinced her even though his
diction fell short.
'srhen wen talk about something
else" she said, laughing naturally now
and retreating 10 a chair by the hearth
side ~ want you TO tell me all about
yourself and your family. your home
and everything"
She seated herself with an air OF con.
sciOus aplOmb aud motiOned him 10
take a distant stool
There was a great heap OF dry logs IN
the fireplace, with pointed names shoot.
Ing out Of lts creyices and leaping into
the gloomy, cavellke throat Of the fiue
Outside a wind passed heavily across
the roof and beloved in the chimney
top. IL
Beverley drew the stool near Alice
who with a charred stick used M a
poker was thrusting at the glowing
crevices aud sending showers of sparks
RlOft.
"why. there wouldn't be much tol
tell" he said. glad 10 feel secure again.
"Our home II big old mansion named
Beverley Hall, on hin among trees
and half surrounded with slave cabins
IL OyerlOOks the plantation In the val
Esl.55l q !.