The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-11-15

by a beautiful voice breaking into song. |
The place is inhabited by two young
women and an old servtor Ihey give
him food for himself and horse on c0ndl-
ton that he leave within an hour They
are seemingly bent on secret escapade
of some kind with one Steinbock.
CHAPTER lI.-Continucd.
The other-well, I couldn't help 1t.
1t was Kismet, fate, the turn in the
road, what you will. l fell heels over
head in love with her at once.
Eyes she had as blue as the Egean
sea on windy days, blue as the cloud
winnowed sky of winters twilight,
blue as sapphires-Irish eyes! Her
hair was as dark and Silken as plume
from the wings of night. did | not
say that had some poetry in my sys-
temp The shape of her mouth
Never mind; can recall only the mad
desire to kiss it. A graceful figure, a
proud head, a slender hand, foot so
small that | wondered if it really
poised, balanced or supported her
young body. Tender she must be, and
loving, enclitical rather than erect like
her authoritative companion. She was
adorable.
All this inventory of feminine charms
was taken by furtiye glances, some
times caught-or were they taking an
inventory of myself? Presently my
appetite became singularly submits
siVe. Hunger often is satisfied by the
feeding of the eyes. dropped my
napkin on the table and pushed back
my chair. My hostesses ceased con-
versing.
Ladies'" said l courteously, 81 of.
fer you my sincere apologies for this
innocent intrusion" l looked at my
watch. Il believe that you gave me
an hours respite. So, then, have 80
minutes to my account"
The women gaZed at each other.
One laughed, and the other smiled; it
was the English girl who laughed this
time. / liked the sound of it better
than any l had yet heard.
pardon another parenthesis.
hope you haven't begun to think | am
the hero of this comedy. Let it be
furthest from your thoughts. l am
only passive bystander)
Il sincerely trust that your hunger
is appeased," said the one who had
smiled.
1T is, thank you" I absently fun
bled in my coat pockets. then guiltily
dropped my hands. What terrible
thing habit is!
''You may smoke," said the Bou
guereau child who was grown into
womanhood. Wasn't that fine of her
And wasn't it rather observant, too
learned later that she had brother
who was fond Of tobacco To her eyes
my movement was familiar one.
with your kind permission" said
gratefully. l hadn't had a smoke il
~ four hours.
!, owned single good cigar the las
of my Importation. l lighted it ant
blew forth a snowy billow of heaVenl,
aroma. know something about hu
man nature, even the feminine side O
it. A presentable young man with
roll of aromatic tobacco seldom fail
TO win the confidence of those abou
him. With that cloud Of smoke tn
raw edge of formality smoothed dowI
Had you any particular destin;
4ior oulynd Hratobon
"None at all The road took N
fancy, and l simply followed it,"
"Ah! that is one of the pleasures
riding-to go wherever the inclinatio
bids. l ride"
We were getting on famously.
"no you take long journeys?" Il
CURED.
soften. 1t is the most eXhilaratir
of SPORTS" said the Enchantmen
'GThe scenery changes; there are
many things that charm and engaE
your interest; the mountains, the W
terways, the old ruins. Have you ev'
whistled to the horses afeld ar
watched them come galloping down
the wall? 1t is fine. In England
But her mouth closed suddenly. 81
was talking to stranger.
I love enthusiasm in a woman.
colors her cheeks and makes her ey'
sparkle | grew bit holder.
81 heard a wonderful voice as l a
preached the castle" said |.
Gretchen shrugged.
ST haven't heard its equal outsit
Berlin or Paris, went on.
"Paris?" said Gretchen, laying
neat little trap TOR me into which n
conceit was soon to tumble me. Par
Is q marvellous city"