Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1903-12-17

venture Hdu cast INTO MS experience.
It Is good 10 feel that one has done an
unselhsh deed, and no young mans
heart repels the freshness Of what
comes to him when beautiful girl
first enters his life.
Naturally enough, Alice had some
thoughts Of Beverley while she was so
attentively caring for Father Beret.
She had never before seen a man like
him. nor had she read of one. Beverley
stepped in for n few minutes every day
10 see Father Beret. involuntarily
lcngthening his visit by sliding ratio
as he became better acquainted. He
began 10 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, a. she came and went, with curl
Gus criticism of her half savage cos
tune and her springy. dryad-like sup
plencss, which reminded him Of the
shicst 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 a deeper character. a broad
! or Intelligence. behind her superficial
sauvagcric. and he found that she
! really had no mean smattering of books
| In the lighter vein.
\ little thing happened which further
| opened his eyes and increased the in
| terest that her beauty and elementary
charm Of style aroused in him gradu-
ally, apace with their advancing ac-
| quaintanceship.
Father Beret had got well and re-
turned to his hut and his round Of
! spiritual duties, but Beverley came TO
Roussillon place every day all the
same. For a wonder, Nine. 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 n large tar
get for the missiles Of her clever and
tantalizing perversity. He in turn
practiced a native dignity and an ac-
quircd superiority Of manner TO excel
lent effect IL was a meeting OF Greek
with Greek in a new Arcadia To him
here was Diana, strong. strange, sim
pie, even crude almost 10 naturalness,
yet admirably pure in spirit and i'm
hued with highest womanly asplra-
lions. To her Beverley represented the
great outside area OF life. He came 10
her from wonderland. beyond the wide
circle OF houseless woods and prairics.
Now, there Is an antagonism, vague
yet powerful, generated between ma
lures thus cast together from the OPP
posite poles OF experience and educa-
ton, an antagonism practically equiva-
lent 20 the most vigorous attraction
The return 20 nature has always been
the dream Of the conventionalized soul.
while the simple Arcadian Is forever
longing FOR the maddcning honey Of
sophistiCation.
Innate jcalousies 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 | envy i'm my
friend / store for my best use.
thrust and parry, not 10 KILL but 10
learn my adveSary's superior feints
and guards. And this hint of sword
play leads back 10 what so greatly sur
priscd and puzzled Beverley one day
when he CHANGED to be examining the |
pair OF colcchcmardcs ON the wall
He tore one down and. handling IL |
with the indescribable facility possible |
TO none save a practical swordsman. re-
marked.
There's a world OF fascination In |
these things. like nothing better
than bout at fencing Does your IA
Their practice the art?"
II have no father, no mother" she
quickly said, but good Papa Rous-
slllon does like little exercise with
the colechemardc"
well, I'm glad 10 hear IL. | shall
ask 10 teach him a trick or two" Bev-
crley responded in the lightest mood.
when will he return from the woodsY'
Il 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 20 come home. l assure
YOU, NJ. Beverley"
"Oh, it's NJ. de Ronville, perhaps,
hat you will offer up as victim to
my skill and address," he slyly return
ID, for he was suspecting that a love
affair iR some stage Of progress lay
between her and Rene.
She blushed violently, but quickly
a combined rush of sur
'risc and anger added with an en-
'hasis as charming as it was unex-
,ected:
Il myself am. perhaps, swordsman
nough TO satisfy the impudence and :
'anity OF NJ. Beverley, lieutenant in
he American army"
Pardon me, mademoiselle forgive .
ne, | beg of you" he exclaimed, ear \
estly modulating his voice to sincerest Q
eseechment. II really did not mean TO O
@ impudent. nor I
Her yfVaeifv rIao ro1 NTH Al ,,,,.-,. |