The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-10-10

her from wonderland. beyond the wide
circle OF houselcss woods and prairies.
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 TO the most vigorous attraction.
The return 10 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 10 kill, but 10
learn my adversary's superior feints
and guards. And this hint OF sword
play leads back 10 what so greatly sur
prised and puzzled Beverley one day
when he CHANGED 20 be examining the
pair of colechemardcs on the wall.
He tore one down and. handling Il
with the indescribahlc facility possible
10 none save practical swordsman. re-
markcd
There's a world OF fascination In
these things. | like nothing better
than bout at fencing Does your fa-
Their practice the artT
81 have no father, no mother" she
quickly said but good Papa Rous.
silon does like a little exercise with
the colechemarde. M
"Well I'm glad 20 hear It. shall
ask TO teach him trick or two Bev-
erley responded IN the llghtest mood.
"When will he return from the woods ~
81 can't tell you. He's very irregular
in such matters" she said Then. with
n smile half banter and half challenge.
she added, "If you are really dying for
some exercise YOU shall not have 10
wait for him To come home, | assure
you, NJ. Beverley"
"Oh, it's NJ de Ronvile, perhaps,
that you will offer up as a victim to
cd, for he was suspecting that Il love
affair in some stage of progress lay
between her and Rene.
She blushed violently, but quickly
overcoming a combined rush of sur
prise and anger. added with an en-
phasis as charming as IL was unex-
pected:
IL myself am, perhaps, swordsman
enough 70 satisfy the impudence and
vanity Of NJ. Beverley, lieutenant In
the American army"
Pardon me. mademoiselle; forgive
me, l beg of you" he exclaimed. ear
nestly modulating his voice TO sincerest
beseechment II really did not mean TO
be impudent, nor
Her vivacity cleared with a merry
laugh.
mo apologies, command you." she
interposed. I'VE will have them after
l have taught you fencing lesson"
From a shelf she drew down pair
OF foils and presenting the hits, bado
him take his choice.
There isn't any difference between
them that know Of" she said, and
then added archly, but you will feel
better at last, when all is over and the
sting OF defeat tingles through you, IL
you are conscious OF having used every
sensible precaution'
He looked straight into her eyes, try
ing to catch what was in her mind. but
there was bewildering glamour play
ing across those gray opal tinted wells
Of mystery from which he could draw
only mischieyous smile CLINT, direct,
daring, Irresistible,
"Well." he said, taking one OF the
foils, what do you really mean? Is it
challenge without room for honorable
retreat?"
"The time for parley Is past" she re-
piled. "Follow me to the battle ground"
She led the way to pleasant little
court IN the rear OF the cabins yard. a
space between two wings and a vine
covered trcllis beyond which lay a
well kept vineyard and vegetable gar
den. Here she turned about and faced
him, posing her foil with fine grnce.
Are you ready" she inquired
He tried again to force a way into
the depths of her eyes with his. but he
might as well have attacked the sun,
so he stood III a confusion OF not very.
we'll defined feelings, undecided. hest
tating, half expecting that there would
be some laughablc turn to end the af-
fair
"Are you afraid, ~ Beverley" she
demanded after a short waiting In
silence
re Laughed now and whipped the air
with his foil.
you certainly arc not in earnestr he
said interrogatively do you really
mean that you want 20 fence with me-"
"If you think because I'm only a
girl you can easily beat me, try IT,
she tauntlngly replied, making a level
thrust toward his breast.
Quick as a fash he parted, and then
a merry blinking and twinkling Of steel
blades kept time 10 their swift move
mcnts. Instantly, by the sure sense
which is half sight. half feeling the