Cañon City record., 1904-01-07

When I heard the knock. was sure
It was the girls, for though Mary had
promised Brandon she would not un-
der any circumstances attempt another
visit knew so well her utter inability
to combat her desire and her reckless
disregard Of danger where there was
motive sufficient to furnish the nerve
tension that was sure she would come
or try to come again.
I admitted the girls, and when the
door was shut Mary unclasped the
brooch at her throat. and the great
cloak fell to her heels. Out she step
ped. with a little laugh of delight.
clothed In doublet. hose and confusion.
the prettiest picture mortal eyes ever
rested on. Her hat. something on the
broad. nat style with a single white
plume encirciing the crown. was of
purple velvet trimmed In gold braid
and touched here and there with pre-
cious stones. Her doublet was of the
ga me purple velvet as her hat. trimmed
In lace and gold Sraid. Her short
trunks were OF heasy black silk slashed
by yellow satin. with hose OF lavender
silk and her little shoes were OF rus
set French leather. Quite rainbow.
you will say, but such a rainbow,
Brandon and / were struck dumb
with admiration and could not keep
from showing II. This disconnected
the girl and increased he- embarrass-
ment until we could not tell which was
the prettiest, the garments. the girl or
the confusion. but this / know-the
whole picture was as sweet and beauti-
full as the eyes of man could behold.
Fine feathers will not make fine
birds. and Mary's masculine attire
could no more make her look like
man than harness can disguise the
graces of gazelie Nothing could
conceal her intense, exquisite woman
hood. With our looks OF astonishment
and admiration Mary's blushes deep
ened
what is the matter? Is anything
wrongr' she asked.
Nothing is wrong" answered Bran
don. smiling in spite OF himself. Moth
ing on earth is wrong with you. you
may be sure. You are perfect-that is.
for a womnn-and one who thinks there
is anything wrong about a perfect
woman is hard to please. But IL you
fiatter yourself that you in any way
resemble man or that your dress in
the faintest degree conceais your sex
you are mistaken. II makes 1t only
more apparent"
How can that be?" asked Mary In
comlcal tribulation. -Is not this q
mans doublet and hose. and this hat
is II not a mans hat? They are all for
a man. Then why do I not look like
one, ask Tell me what Is wrong
oh, I thought looked just like man
I thought the disguise was perfect"
Well" returned Brandon, If you
will permit me to say so. you are en-
tirely too symmetrical and shapely
ever 10 pass for a man"
The flaming color was In her cheeks
as Brandon went on: Your feet are
too small. even for boys feet. I
don't think you could be made to look
like man IL you worked from now
till doomsday."
Brandon spoke in q troubled tone.
for be was beginning to see in Mary's
perfec; and Irrcpressible womanhood
an insurInountsble difficulty right
across his path.
.'As to your feet. you might find
larger SHOES. or, better still. jack boots.
and, as TO your hose. you might wear
longer trunks. but what TO do about
the double; am sure l do not know"
Mary looked up helpless and forlorn.
and the hot face went into her bended
elbow as realization OF the situation
seemed TO dawn upon her.
''oh, wish l had not come! But
wanted TO grow accustomed. so that
could wear them before others. l be-
iieve l could bear II more easily with
any one else. did not think OF II In
that way" And she snatched her
cloak from where II had fallen on the
floor and threw II around her.
What way, Nary asked Brandon
gently and receiving no answer. But
you will have TO bear my looking at
you all the time II you go with me"
Il don't believe can do it,
'No. no." answered he, bravely at
tempting checrfulness: I'VE may as
well give it up. l have had no hope
from the first. knew II could not be
done, and II should not l was both
insane and criminal to think OF per
mitting you to try IT."
Brandon's forced cheerfulness died
out with his words, and he sank into a
chair, with his elbows on his knees and