The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-04-27
So. upon entering. I said:

dies"
They each made a sweeping courte-
sy. with hand on breast, and gravely
saluted him:
Your grace. good even."
Brandon's bow was as deep and
graceful. If that were possible. as
theirs. and when he moved OIL Into the
Ii was with a little halt in his
step and a big blowing out of the
cheeks In ludicrous imitation of his
late lamented predecessor that sent the
girls into peals of soft laughter and put
Us all at our ease Immediately.
All. what Il thing 1t is to look back
upou-that time of life when one finds
his heaven In a ready laugh!
BE seated. ALL" said the princess.
This Is to be without ceremony and
only we four. No one knows u word of
II. Did you tell any one. Sir Edwin
Perish the thought" | exclaimed.
She turned her face toward Brandon.
but | know you did not. I've heard
how discreet you were about mother
matter. Well. no one knows 1t. then,
aud we can have n famous evening.
You did not expect this. Master Bran
don. after my reception Of you the 9th
er morning! Were you not surprised
when Sir Edwin tcld your"
Il think ! can safely say that | vas
prepared not to be surprised ut any,
thing your highness mioht gracious'y
conclude to do-after my first expert
ence." he answered. smiling.
Indeed" returned Mary. with ele-
vated eyebrows and II rising infection
on the last syllable of the word. 1t
was now her turn for u little surprise.
well. we'll try to hEd SOME way to
surprise you II of these days" And
the time came when she was full OF
surprises for him. Mary continued:
but let US not talk about the other
day. OF what use are other days any
way! Before the evening IL over. Mas
ter Brandon. we want you 10 give us
nnotl or sermon" Aud she laughed. set
ting of three other laughs IA hearty
aud sincere as if she had uttered the
farest witticism Oh earth.
The princess had told lane and Jane
had told me of the Sermon In the
Park" as Mary called II.
''.Iane needs II az much as l." said
the princess.
Il can't believe that" responded
Brandon. looking M Jane with a sof-
tening glance quite too admiring and
co~mmendatory To suit me. for | was a
Jealous little devil.
The eyebrows went IN again.
"Oll. you tiihk she doesn't? Well. in
truth. Master BRANDON. there is one
failing that cannot he laid ut your door
-you are no tatterer." For answer
Brandon laughed. and that gave us the
cue. ard away we went in a ripping
chorus. all about nothing. Some per-
SOILS may call our laughter foolish. but
there are others who consider il the
Leight of all wisdom. ST. George. I'd
give my Garter for just II other laugh
ne tnst. FOR just one otLel 49,. =.
youths dancing blood and glowing soul
warmth. of sweet. unconscious. happy
heart beat and paradise creating joy
III everything!
After a few minutes of gay conversa-
ton. In which we all joined, Mary ask
ed: What shall we do? Will one Of
you suggest something's"
Jane sat there looking so demure you
would have thought mischief could not
live within n league of her. but those
very denure girls are nearly always
dangerous. She said. oh. so innocently:
Would you like to dance? If so. |
will play" And she reached for Ler
lutte. which was by her side.
Yes. that will be delightful. Mas
ter Brandon. will you dance with mel"
asked the princess, with a saucy little
laugh. her invitation meaning so much
more to three of us than to Brandon.
Jane and ! Joined In the laugh. and
when Mary clapped her hands that set
Brandon off. toe. for lie thought Ii tie
quaintest. prettiest little gesture In the
world aud was all UNCONSCIOUS that u
laugh was at his expense.
Brandon did rot answer Mary's invi.
tatlon-the tt of laughter had probably
put II out of his mind-so she. evidently
anxious TO win or lose her wager ut
once. again asked him If he danced.
"Oh. pardon me! or course. Thank
you!" Aud he was on his feet beside
her chair In an instant ready for the
dance. This time the girls laugh,
though equally merry. had another
tone. for she knew she had lost.
Out they stepped upon the polished
floor. he holding her hand in his, await
Ing the pause in the music to take the
step. | shall never forget the sight of
those two standing there together
Mary. dark eyed and glowing; Brandon.
almost rosy. with eyes that held the
color of a dark spring sky and n wealth
Of flowing curls crowning his six feet
Of perfect manhood. strong and vigor-
Gus as a young lion. Mary. full of
beauty curves and graces. a veritable
Venus in her teens. and Brandon. an
Apollo. with a touch of Hercules, were
a complement each to the other that
would surely make n perfect one.
When the music started. off they