The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-01-07

I might have been interested in the
younT woman. who was a dainty crea-
ture, having wide blue eyes full Of
light. But as matters stood, | gave
my attention to John Trask and Alex
ander Scovel-whose names, of course.
were later discovery.
Trask was Enthusiastically an artist nv
dress and manner, but his face would
have been ideal for a judge, being
strongly indicative of perception both
broad and deep and calmly severe in it's
expression. He had the look of one
who has engaged in the more violent
athletic sports in youth and has begun
to take Oh flesh for the lack of them.
His hair was reddish brown, wavy and
remarkably ornamental.
Scovel was thin man, tall and high
shouldered. His hair and dropping
mustache We're dark and his eyes were
gray. Watching him languidly during
dinner, l made two accurate guesses-
first, that he was lawyer, and, sec
Ond, that he had come to Mrs. Wither-
spoons to reeuperate after an illness.
After dinner I wrote letter to nv
father and then went out to take a
walk. When upon the steps, became
aware of faint strain of music pro-
ceeding from nowhere in particular. It
was different kind of music from that
which I had heard on the veranda in
st. 10, and I was conscious of a wish
fhQf II v,oro NOVA dicfiro<
was singing to the accompaniment of
guitar, and, though I could not recog-
nize the song, it touched that chord Of
memory vaguely sad which vibrates in
the heart.
Strolling toward the road, saw the
fare of 4 match and then the glow of
cigar. A man was sitting on the stile
beside the carriageway, and when
came nearer l recognized Mr.. Derrin-
ger
I greeted him with something like
cordially and said that 1 was glad to
have the pleasure so early, for judged
that two people might live a month at
Mrs. Witherspoon's and never run to-
gether.
delightful place, isn't it?' he said
gloomily.
The tone and the words were match
ed SO ill that smiled, and he perceived
it, though there was not much light.
II am down on my luck, and that's
fact, he said. Queer too. I ought not
to be feeling this way. There's moth
ing the matter with me-" he continued,
more to the circumambient night than
to me. Health good, prospects first
rate, plenty to do, if could find the
sand to do it; not broke or anything
Of that kind
Looks like girl on the evidence
thus far presented" said I. cts none
Of my business, of course; but I'm in
somewhat the same trouble myself"
He frightened perceptibly.
''You were looking bit low in your
mind when met you at Cushing's,''
said he
1t is strange how two men become
confidential. The thing usually hap
pens without warrant, as in this in
stance, and the ordinary habits Of con-
cealment struggle with selfish desire
to relieve the mind. The result is that
fellow carries away from such an in
terview remarkable mixed shame for
having both lied and told the truth
when neither was necessary.
What I told Derringer did not do Ell
Their Of us any good. AS for his story,
it was quantity vague. He was an open
hearted, practical fellow, who might
have presented the plain facts with ex-
cellent effect, but he stumbled in the
byways of evasion.
'The truth isl said he, that I
thought was persona grata to the fin
est woman in the world, and I wasn't.
So came out here to forget about it,
Another fellow?'' suggested.
He seemed to ponder deeply, and in
the silence I heard the music more
plainly than before
Hanged if I know!" said he at last.
Beautiful voice. isn't it?''
II heard it when first came OUT
said I, land had vision of an angel
flying over the house. Who is it?''
'The girl in the orchard" said he
"That's the extent Of my information.
She was here when came day before
yesterday. Wanted the place for my
self, but it wouldn't work. told Mrs.
Witherspoon that it wasn't safe for
girl to live out there all alone, and she
said 'Mm-m!' or We'll, now!' forget
which. She always says one or the
other. It's blamed sight easier to tell
Mrs. Witherspoon something than it is
to get her to tell you anything"
''The girl isn't alone in the orchard"
said I. There's Miss Scott
Speaking with all possible respect"
rejoined Derringer thoughtfully, 'it's
a simple fact that in an emergency
good dog is worth dozen old maids.
I've been tempted to send her one. OF
course she wouldn't accept him.
1T is customary to make the gentle
mans acquaintance frst,'' said I, and
Derringer kicked the stile softly, re-
flectivcly, as if there might be another
view Of the matter. my own notion"
r