The San Francisco call., 1903-01-11

first real mark of favor ever had from
Jane.
We now had some songs from Mary and
Jane; then l gave one, and Brandon sang
and quartets and solos. and the songs
were all sweet, for they came from the
heart Of youth and went to the soul Of
youth, rich In Its God-given fresh delight
in everything. Then we talked, and
Mary Mary. and Jane, too, with a sly. ghy. soft
little n,It - woTd % n nov w. and then drew Bran6on
He was a pleasing talker, and had
smooth, easy flow OF words, speaking al
ways in low. clear voice and with per
ing first one auditor and then another
straight In the eyes with a magnetic ef-
feet that gave to everything he said an
added interest Although at that time
less than twenty-five years old, he was
really a learned man, having studied az
Barcelona, Salamanca and Paris. While
there had been no system in his education.
shop. wherein he could md almost any
thing he wanted. He spoke German,
French and Spanish and seemed TO know
He told us he had left home at the early
age of sixteen as his uncle's esquire. and
had fought in France, then down IN Hol:
land with the Dutch; had been captured
by the Spanish and had Joined the Span
ish army, as 1t mattered not where he
fsr onsorab!e s0 achievement che ss Snd fair Ransom
now and then. He told US how no had
gone to Barcelona and Salamanca, where
he had studied, and thenee to Granada.
the pirates Of Barbary. his capture by
them, his slavery and adventurous es-
cape; and his regret that now drowsy
peace keRS tTne MN ba e SsfS Up IN p
pect of trouble with Scotland, but would
rather fight a pack Of bowling, starving
wolves than the Scotch; they fight like
very devils. which. Of course, Is well. but
you have nothing after you have beaten
them, not even a good whole wolf skin. "
In an unfortunate moment Mary said :
"Oh. Master Brandon. tell US Of your duel
Thoughtfui. considerate Jane frowned
finger on her lips.
'Your ladyship, I fear I can not" he
answered, and left his seat. going over to
back toward US, looking out into the
darkness. Mary saw what she had done
and her eyes grew moist, for, with all her
a quick. responsive sympathy. y After a
few seconds Of painful silence, she went
softly over to the window where Brandon
stood
hand prettily upon his arm at should
have known. Believe me, I would not
have hurt you Intentionally"
"Ah! my lady, the word was thought
lessIy spoken and needs no forgiveness;
but your heart shows itself in the ask
ing. and I thank you; I wanted but a mo-
rible day" Then they came back to-
gether, and the Princess. who had tact
put matters right again.
| started to tell one OF my best
stories IN order to cheer Brandon, but IN
the midst Of It, Mary, who. l had no
bushes and hesitancy, and with a manner
as new to her as the dawn Of the first day
was to the awakening world. abruptly
asked Brandon to dance with her again.
She had risen and was standing by her
chair ready to be led out.
Gladly" answered Brandon, as he
Wbeb to ba a 4 sds a1d teSk hsT n.
new dance?" And Mary standing there,
the picture Of waiting willing modesty,
lifted her free hand to his shoulder, tried
softly said: "The new dance
This time the dancing was more soberiy
done. and when Mary stopped II was with
serious. thoughtful eyes for she had felt
the tingling OF a new strange force in
Brandon's touch man, not worm.
but a real man. with all the irresistible
infinite attractions that a man may have
for a woman-the subtle drawing Of the
lodestone for the passive tron-had come
into her life. p9ubly sweet IT vas to her
revealed the dawning Of that two-edged
bliss which makes a heaven or he'll OF
earth-of earth. which owes its very ex-
I do not mean that Mary was In love
but that she had met, and for the first
time felt the touch. yes even the subtle
unconscious, dominating force so sweet 10
woman. OF the man she could love. and
had known the rarest throb that pulses
in that choicest Of all Gods perfect handi-
work-a woman's heart-the throb that
goes before-the John the Baptist, as II
were. of coming love.
1t being after midnight Mary filled two
cups of wine. from each Of which she
took sip, and handed them to Brandon
and me. She then paid me the ten
crowns, very soberly thanked US and said
we were at liberty to go.
The only words Brandon ever spoke
concerning that evening were Just as we
retired:
"Jesul she IL perfect. But you were
wrong. Caskoden- / can still thank God
l am not in love with her. I would fall
upon my sword II were"
| was upon the point OF telling him she
had never treated any other man as she
had treated him but I thought II best to
leave II unsaid. Trouble was apt TO come
OF its own accord soon enough.
In truth, / may as well tell you that
when the Princess asked me to bring
Brandon to her that she might have a
little sport at his expense she looked FOR
laugh but found q sigh.