New-York tribune., 1903-06-21

fit" And having poured out fresh water ana
bidding me wash my body. she stole out
She returned with a fresh towel and white
garment in her hands, and real mirth now IN her
eyes My toilet done, she slipped the garment
over me It fell to my feet in long folds. Yet so
lightly that I scarcely felt L was clothed; and
she clapped her hands in dumb show. 1t was
one of her own nightgowns.
I glanced uneasiIv toward the bed It's
daintiness frightened me. used as was to the
house keeping-coarse if ciean-of Mrs. Trapp-
Your prayers first" she whispered Don't
YOU know any?' She eyed me anxiously again.
'But you are good boy? Surely. ycu are a
good boy: not a miiksop. you know-thats quite
another thing Don't BOYS say their prayers:
They ought to.
an. afraid that since passing out Of Miss
PI,-llimnon'5 tuteIage. l had sadly neglected
the habit: but kneIt now beside the bed. cbe-
diently and in silence.
She stepped close beside me. But you're
not speaking she rnurmured Father always
says his aloud, and so do l. You mustn't pre-
tend if YOU don't really know any. I can teach
you"
She kneIt down beside me and began to say
the Lords Prayer softly. I repeated it after
her. sentence by sentence; and this really
snamming, for. of course. l knsw it perfectly.
At the time I felt only that she-this beauti-
exaltation which I could not in the least under
stand know now something of the springs
had touched and loosened within her-I.
naked waif coming To her out of the night and
catching her hand for protection. at that hour.
II was not I she taught, nor over me that she
yearned. She reaching through me TO
child unknown, using to press against
strange love tearing at the roots of her body,
and break the pair OF 1.-THE roots of her
body. 1 say. for he who can separate a wonnan's
soul from her body is wiser man than l.
She arose from her knees and confronted me
with bright eyes and lovely blush. born of soft
maternal secrets, threw back the sheets ard
tucked them about me I snuggled down.
What is your name?'
.Harry-Harry Revel Are you Miss Isabel
Brooks"
I am Isabel"
why were you crying out there in the rcad?''
Was I crying?"
We'll. not crying. exactly; but you looked
If you wanted to-"
She smiled You have cheered me. you see"
But her eyes were moist. I'VE both have our
secrets. it seems. and you shall tell yours
tomorrow. Will yours let you sleep?"
Il think So Miss Isabel. I am tired-and
so clean-and this bed is so soft stretched
out my arms luxuriously. and almost before I
knew it she bending TO kiss me. and they
were about her neck. Her hair fell over me in
a shower. and in the shade OF it she laughed
happily. kissing by the ear and whispering:
Il have my happy secret. tooT'
She Strengthened herself up. tossed back the
dark locks with a shake of the head. and moved
the door.
Goodnight. and God bless so. Harry ReveIr'
bird was cheepng in the jasmine bush
when I dropped asleep. and when I awoke he
was cheeping there still. OF my dreams 1 only
remember that they ended in a vague sense OF
discomfort somehow arising from vision of
Mr.. Rogers in the act of throwing bread at
the swans and of the hen birds furry as she
padded away. But the sound which I took for
the splashing of water came. in fact from the
rings OF the window curtain. which Miss Isabel
was drawing to shut out the high morning sun.
She dressed now in a plain print frock.
with her dusky hair braided-yet not TO
conceal its wealth; and could have
looked fresher Do you know that they call
the rose Of Devon-stately. very dark OF leaf.
excelIently fragrant which contrives TO be
white. and yet you cannot call II fair-a gypsy
queen among roses? 1t has warm tint. too,
which is not of the surface. but seems TO be
wrapped within every petal-too deep for a
bloom too sombre for flush. And IL Is my