The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-12-18

pled cheeks, had Il fascination Ot
their own. Cyprian found them
haunting him at night and coming
between him and his work.
just ut this time that Claire
made a startling proposal.
You seem TO be lonely" she
said, II day, "as they strolled
from end TO end OF the platform,
"and without any friends here. I
am alone, too; there is nobody !
care TO speak to. like TO talk
to you. Why shouldn't we keep
company?'"
The request for the moment
staggered the journalist. Claire
entered into volublc explana.
tions.
"Pcrhnpsyoudon't like theidea?
II 40, Of course say 80 AT once she
said, looking rather mortified.
"or perhaps in Indinna-where
you say you came 'front.' isn't
customary. or course, We each
pay for ourselves
II I'M afraid don't quite under.
stand said Cyprian, really mysti-
fled.
"How funny Claire exclaimed.
with n roguish glance ut him. ~
thought everybody understood
keeping company O"-and her
face became sulfuscd with bushes
you didn't think | meant the
same ny being engaged did yon?
"Of course. it's quite different
che explained. nj hurricane speed.
Naturally, people who keep com.
pany' may become engaged after
wards II they fall in love with one
another. But ! didn't mean"
How stupid of me-" said Cypri.
an, anxious to spare further cx.
PLANTATION. Its awfully good Of
YOU To propose H.. You must for.
give my stupidity. see now, II
we keep company We are simply
companions, and share expenses;
but II you and ! were engaged
"Of course, then you would have
to pay for everything" the girl
concluded. with II merry laugh,
taking il for granted that all was
now arranged satisfactorily. "All
right, then; Is that understood?
I've been wanting an evening out
for n long while. Take me some
where this evening; ! don't much
mind where"
Thus commenced u new stage In
neutrality-suspicious. with Claire
Edwards. lie soothcd his con
science with the girl view of II, rs
n ase OF mutual charity, allowing
two lonely, dull people TO find
amusement in one anotlIer's com
pany; but nj length he began scri
Ously Ia take himself Ia task. lie
knew he was rapidly falling IN
love. lie discovered that this Cir
OF the people was as refined IN
he. manners and ideas ms any
woman he had met, but, although
he had no strong opinions in tho
matter of caste, he felt that e
choose u wife from Poplam's
tcncmcnts would be madness oI
his part.
lie did not allow his mental per
turbation To show itself when IN
was with Claire. Then he forgot
all his resolutions; he only fel,
that she was beautiful, and good
as beautiful. Strangely enough
then, he felt that he was all nm
worthy Of hcr;she seemed ny mucl
beyond his reach ny II she had beer
one of s0cicty's wealthy, high born
daughters, and he were In realit,
a miserably paid packer in a fur
niture warehouse, IN which guist
he masqueradcd. For, of course
IL you would study seriously th'
customs Of Il horde such as Pop
hams sheltered, IL IL by no mean,
sufficient to rent u room and plan
Yourself in is midst. You mus.
have some work, some occupation
to lull suspicion.
There Is NJ first about you an at
mospkcrc of distrust which viii
be an insurm0untablc barrier (,
Investigations until you have beer
admitted inside the frccmasonr,
of the place. Cyprian Beck, wh'
was no fool, had therefore mad,