The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-10-10

vited"
He lifted his somewhat dingy scout
ing hat and bowed humbly.
Il perceived no door giving warning
that l approached such presence, and
the first shock of surprise was per-
haps as great to me as to you. Yet,
now that I have Numbered thus far, l
beseech that be permitted to venture
upon yet another step"
She sat looking at him, d trim, sol
dierly figure, his face young and pleas
ant to gaze upon, and her dark eyes
sensibly softened.
What step?'
TO tarry for a moment beside the
divinity of this wilderness"
She laughed with open frankness,
her white teeth sparkling behind the
red, parted lips.
Perhaps you may, If you will first
consent to be sensible" she said. with
returning gravity; and I reserve the
light to turn you away whenever you
begin to talk or act foolish If you
accept these conditions, you may sit
down"
lie seated himself upon the soft
lass ledge, retaining the hat in his
hands You must be an odd sort of
girl" he commented, soberly. mot to
welcome an honest expression of ad-
miration."
oh, was that it? Then l duly bow
my acknowledgment | took your
words for one Of those silly compli,
ments by which men believe they
honor women. | am not baby. nor
am | seeking amusement
He glanced curiously at her book
And yet you condescend to read love
stories, he said, smiling. Il expected
TO discover a treatise on philosophy"
Il read whatever l chance TO get my
hands on, here IN Glencaid," she re-
torted, Just as | converse with who
ever comes along. am hopeful of
some day discovering rare gem hid
den IN the midst of the trash, | am
yet young
You are indeed young" he said,
quietly. and with some of life's les
sons still to learn. One Is that frank
ness is not necessarily fippancy, nor
honesty harshness - However, if you
viii offer me q topic worthy the occa-
SIGN. IN either philosophy, science, or
literature. I will endeavor to feed your
mind"
She upHfted her innocent eyes de
rurely TO his face. You are so kind
I am deeply interested just now in the
japanese conception of the transmit
sration Of souls"
How extremely fortunate, It
chances to be my fayorite theme, but
my mental processes are peculiar, and
you must permit ne to work up to-
ward it somewhat gradually For in
stance, as a question leading that way
how, in the incarnation Of this world
DO you manage to exist in such a
hole Of a place?-that is. provided you
really reside here"
Why, l consider this a most de
liEhtful nook"
My reference was TO Glencaid"
oh, Why. I live from within, not
without. Mind and heart, not environ
ment make life, and my time is Occu-
pied most ccugenlally. | am being
faithfully nutured on the Presbyterian
catechIsm, and also trained in the
graces OF earthly society. These alter
nate, thus preparing NE for whatever
may happen in this world or the next"
His face pictured bewilderment, but
also determination to persevere. AN
Interesting combination, l admit. But
from your appearance this cannot al
ways have been your home?"
oh, thank you. l believe not al
ways; but | wonder at your being able
to discern my superiority to these sur
roundings. And do you know your
questioning is becoming quite per-
sonal? Does that yield me an equal
privilege?"
He bowed, perhaps relieved at thus
permitting her to assume the initia-
tive, and rested lazily back upon the
grass, his eyes lntently studying her
face
suppose llOui yOti NIObHto gOu
must be a soldier What is that figure
on your hat for?"
The number of my regiment, the
Seventh cavalry"
Her glance was bit disdainful as
she coolly surveyed him from head to
foot. Il should imagine that a strong,
capable appearing fellow like you
might do much better than that. There
Is so much work in the world worth
doing, and so much better pay"
What do you mean? Isn't a sol
dier's life a worthy one?"
"Oh, yes, Of course, in way. We
have to have soldiers. l suppose; but
II were a man I'd hate to waste all
my life tramping around at SIG a
month"
He smothered what sounded like a
| rough ejaculation, gazing into her de-
| mure eyes as IL he strongly suspected
a joke hid in their depths. "Do-do
you mistake me for an enlisted man."
"Oh, didn't know; you said you
were a soldier and that's what l al
ways heard they got. / am so glad If
they give you more. was only going
to say that | believed could get you
a good place In McCarthv's store II