Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-10-02

attentively caring for Father Beret. She had never before seen man like him, nor had she read of one. Beverley stepped in for a few minutes every day to see Father Beret, involuntarily lengthening his visit by sliding ratio as he became better acquainted. He began to enjoy the priests conversa- ton, with its sly worldly wisdom crop ping up through fervid religious senti- ments and quaint humor. Alice must have interested him more than he was fully aware of, for his eyes followed her, as she came and went, with curi- ous criticism of her half savage cos tune and her springy, dryad-like SUD- pleness, which reminded him of the shiest and gracefulest wild birds, and yet a touch of refinement, the subtlest and best, showed in all her ways. He wondered at her influence over Father Beret, whom she controlled apparently without effort. But in due time he be- gan to feel deeper character, broad. CT intelligence, behind her superficial sauvagerie, and he found that she really had no mean smattering of books in the lighter vein.
 A little thing happened which further opened his eyes awd increased the in terest that her beauty and elementary charm of style aroused in him gradu- ally, apace with their advancing ac-z quaintanceship.
 Father Beret had got we'll and re- turned to his hut and his round of spiritual duties, but Beverley came to Roussillon place every day all the same. For wonder, Mime. Roussillon liked him and at most times held the scolding side of her tongue when he was present. Jean, too, made friendly advances whenever opportunity afford ed. Alice found in Beverley large tar get for the missiles of her clever and tantalizing perversity. He in turn practiced a native dignity and an ac- quired superiority of manner to excel lent effect. It was a meeting of Greek with Greek in new Arcadia. To him here was Diana, strong, strange. sim ple, even crude almost to naturalnesS, yet admirably pure in spirit and inn bued with highest womanly aspira- tions. To her Beverley represented the great outside area of life. He came to her from wonderland, beyond the wide
 
 Now, there is an antagonism, vague yet powerful, generated between na- lures thus cast together from the op- posite poles of experience and educa- tion, an antagonism practically equiva- lent to the most vigorous attraction. The return to nature has always been the dream of the conventionalized soul, while the simple Arcadian is forever longing for the maddening honey of sophistication.
 Innate jealousies strike together like flint and steel dashing off sparks by which nearly everything that life can warm its core withal is kindled and kept burning. What I envy in my friend store for my best use. thrust and parry, not to kill, but to learn my adversary's superior feints and guaHds. And this hint of sword play leads back to what so greatly sur prised and puzzled Beverley one day when he chanced to be examining the pair of colechemardes on the wall.
 He tore one down and, handling it with the indescribable facility possible to none save practical swordsman, re- marked:
 There's a world of fascination in these things. I like nothing better than bout at fencing. Does your fa- ther practice the art?'
 II have no father, no mother" she quickly said, ''but good Papa Rous- sillon does like little exercise with the colechemarde."
 "WelI, I'm glad to hear it.. shall ask to teach him a trick or two," Bev- erley responded in the, lightest mood. EsWhen will he return from the woods?' ?''
 "I can't tell you. He's very irregular in such matters" she said. Then, with a smile half banter and half challenge, she added, If you are really dying for some exercise you shall not have to wait for him to come home, I assure you, M. Beverley"
 "Oh, it's M. de Ronvi1le, perhaps, that you will offer up as a victim to my skill and address, he slyly return ed, for he was suspecting that a love affair in some stage of progress lay between her and Rene.
 She b1ushed violently, but quickly overcoming a combined rush of sur prise and anger, added with an em- phasls as charming as 1t was uneX- pected:
 T myself am, perhaps, swordsman enough to satisfy the impudence and vanity of NJ. Beverley, lieutenant in the American army"
 Pardon me, mademoiselle; forgive me, beg of you,'' he exclaimed, ear nestly modulating his voice to sincerest beseechment. "I really did not mean to be impudent, nor''-
 Her vivacity cleared with a merry laugh.
 No apologies, command you," she interposed. we will have them after I have taught you fencing lesson.'
 From shelf she drew down a pair of foils and, presenting the hilts, bade him take his choice.
 There isn't any difference between them that know of,' she said, and then added archly, ''but you. will feel F. 1--L S,II Sr, II,