The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-10-20

''The glasses might be protection to
susceptible young men," he answered,
land for that reason l would advise
you to wear Them
Shall get some tomorrow to wear
while you are hereY' she Gueried, with
a smile. II will if you feel in danger"
would you do it if l admitted l
wasp he replied, resolving to stand his
ground and looking squarely at her.
But that elusive young lady was not
to be cornered.
you remind me of story Bert told
once" she said, "about an Irishman
who was called upon to plead guilty or
not guilty to the charge of drunken
ness. When asked afterward how he
pleaded he said, 'Bedad, 1 give the
judge an equivocal answer and what
was that?' said his friend 'Begorra
whin the judge axed me was I guilty
or not guilty I answered, "Was yer
grandfather monkey?" And then he
gave me sixty days."
"Well,'' replied Frank, 'that is a good
story, but it doesn't answer my ques-
ton"
That afternoon when Alice was alone
with her brother he said, "Well, sis,
how do you like my friend?"
"Oh, he means to be nice,' she re-
piled, "but he is a little thoughtless,
and it would do him good to have to
work for his living year or two.'
The two days intervening before
Sunday passed all too quickly for the
three young people. When Sunday
morning came they Of course attended
church, and Frank found himself slyly
stared at by all the people of Sand
gate. He did not pay much attention
to the sermon, but a good deal to a
certain sweet soprano voice in the
choir, and when after service Alice
Joined them he boldly walked away
with her and left Albert chatting with
a neighbor.
On the way home she, of course, ask
ed the usual question as to how he
liked the sermon
Il don't think heard ten words Of
it," he replied. II was kept busy
counting how many caught looking at
me, and whenever the choir sang I for
got to count. Why was it they stared
at me SO much? Is stranger here a
walking curiosity?'
In a way, yes" answered Alice
"They don't mean to be rude, but a
new face at church is a curio. I'll
wager that nine out of ten who were
there this morning are at this moment
discussing your looks and wondering
who and what you are"
A realization of her cool Indifference
tinged his feelings that evening just at
dusk, where he had been left alone be-
side the freshly started parlor fire, and
when the object of his thought hap
pened in he sat staring modify at the
flames. She drew chair opposite and,
seating herself, said pleasantly:
"Why so pensive, Mr.. Mason? Has
going to church made you feel re-
pentant?"
II don't feel the need of repentance
except in one way" he answered, "and
3hat you would not be interested in.
10 be candid, Miss Page, Pm growing
ashamed of the useless life lead, and
It's that l feel to repent of. A few
things your brother said to me three
months ago We're the beginning, and
remark you made the day we first
went sleighing has served to increase
that feeling. Ever since l left college
l have led an aimless life, bored to
death by ennui and conscious that no
one was made any happier by my ex-
istence. What Bert said to me and
your remark have only served to make
me realize it more fully"
II am very sorry, Mr.. Nason," she
said pleasantly, IF any words of mine
hurt you even a little. I have forgot
ten what they were and wish YOU
would. The visit which Bert and YOU
are making me is a most delightful
break In the monotony Of my life, and
shall be very glad to see you again.
And then, rising, she added, IF hurt
you, please say you forgive me, for
must 90 out and see to getting tea.''
The last evening was passed much
like the first, except that now the
elusive Alice seemed to be transformed
into far more gracious hostess, and
all her smiles and interest seemed to
be >lavished upon Frank INSTEAD of her
brother. 1t was as if thisaOccult little
lady had come to feelsasnew and sur
prising curiosity insallS that concerned
the life and amusements Of her visitor.
With true feminine skill, she piled him
with all manner of questions and af-
fected the deepest interest in all he had
to say. What were his sisters amuse-
ments? Did they entertain much, play
tennis, golf or ride? Where did they
usually go summers, and did he gener-
ally go with them? His own comings
and goings and where he had been and
what he saw there were also made q
part of the grist he was encouraged to
grind. She even professed a keen in
terest in his yacht and listened pa
tiently to most elaborate description
of that craft, although as rowboat
was the largest vessel she had ever set
foot on it is likely she did not gain