The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-04-28

that you should think me bold" said
Brandon. with a broadening smile.
Mary interrupted hin. Nov. | do
believe you are laughing at meat my
%prudery. | suppose you think it"
Mary would rather have peel called
a fool than a prude, and | think she
was right. Prudery is 10 more a sign
of virtue than a wig Is of hair. 1t is
usually put on to hide a bald place.
The princess stood irresolute for Il
moment in evident hesitation and an
noyance.
''You are grieving because | think
you bold. And yet you stand there
laughing at me to my face. ! think so
more than ever now. | know 1t. Oh.
you make me angry! Don't! | do not
like persons who anger me and then
laugh at me-" This turned Brandon's
smile into a laugh. which he could not
hold back.
Mary's eyes shot fire. and she stamp
ed her foot. exclaiming: Sir. this goes
beyond all bounds! | will not tolerate
your boldness another moment" !
thought she was going to dismiss him.
but she did net. The time had come
when he or she must be the master.
1t was a battle royal between the
forces on the floor, and | enjoyed it and
felt that Brandon would come out All
right.
He said good humoredly: What!
Shall you have all the laugh in your
sleeve at LILY expense! Do you expect
to bring me here to win a wager for
you made ON the assumption of my
stupidity and lack of social accom-
~plishments and then complain when it
comes my turn to laugh! | think | am
the one who should be offended. but
You see | am not"
"Caskodeu. did you tell him?" de-
manded Mary. evidently referring TO
the wager.
HE said not a word of it." broke in
Brandon. answering for me. Il should
have been u duilard indeed not to have
seen 1t myself after what you said
about the loss of YOU 10 crowns. So
let Us cry quits and begin again"
Mary reluctantly struck her flag.
Very well. | AN willing" she said
l~aughingly: but. as to your bcldness.
| still insist upon that. | forgive you.
however. this time" Theu. half apollo
getically. After all. ii is not such a
gTievous charge to make. | believe II
never yet injured any man with wom-
Ell. They rather like it. | am afraid.
however angry it makes them. Don't
they. Jane:"
Jane. OF course. did not know. SO
VIZ oil lotY,rbn1 &c ,.crot ,n1,t tha
slightest prerext. and Mary. that fair
bundle OF contradictions and quick
transitions. stepped boldly up to Bran
don. with her cglors flying in her
cheeks. ready for the first lesson in the
new dance.
She was Il little frightened at his arm
around her waist. for the embrace was
new to her-the first touch OF man-and
was shy and coy. though willing, being
determined to learn the dance. She
was an apt pupil and soon glided soft
ly and grlciously around the room with
unfeigled delight. yielding to the new
situation more easily as she became
accustomed to IL.
This dance was livelier exercise than
u GAi'iarh ard Narv could not talk
much for lack of breath. Brandon kept
the conversation going. though. and she
answered with glances, smiles, mods
and monosyllables, a very good vocab-
ulary in its way. and a very good way,
too. for that matter.
Once he said something to her In q
low voice. which brought q flush to her
cheeks and caused her to glance quick
ly up into his face. BY the time her
answer came they were nearer us. and
l heard her say: Il am afraid | shall
have to forgive you again If you are
not careful. Let me see an exhibition
of that modesty you so much boast"
But a smile and a fash of the eyes
went with the words and took all the
sting out of them.
After a time the dancers stopped, and
Mary. with flushed face and sparkling
eyes. sank into a chair, exclaiming:
1.-THE new dance is delightful. Jane. 1t
Is like flying. your partner helps you so.
But what would the king say-aEd the
queen? She would simply swoon with
horror. 1t is delightful. though" Then.
with more confusion In her manner
than | had ever before seen. THAT is,
1t Is delightful If one chooses her part,
ner."
This only made matters worse and
gave Brandon an opportunity.
"Dare | hope?" he asked. with n def
erential bow.
"Oh. yes: you may hope. | tell you
frankly II was delightful with you.
Now. are you satisfied. my one?
Jane. | see We nave a forward body
here. No telling what he will be at
next said Mary. with evident impa-
thence. rapidly swaying her fan. She
spoke almost sharply. for Brandon's
attitude was more that Of an equal
than she was accustomed to. and her
royal dignity. which was the artificial
part of her. rebellgd against II now and
then In spite of her real incllnations.
The habit of receiving only adulation
and liyiuu on n piunucIp above every