Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-10
CHAPTER XXI.


Miss Spencer so promptly at the ho-
tel door, but rather desire to escape
her ceaseless chatter and gain retire.
ment where he could reflect in quiet
over the revelations Of Hampton. In
this quest he rode slowly UP the val
lev Of the Bear Water, through the
bright sunshine, the rare beauty OF
the scene scarcely leaving the slight
est impress on his mind, so busy was
it, and so preoccupied. He no longer
had any doubt that Hampton had util-
lied his advantageous position. as we'll
as his remarkable powers OF pleasing,
to ensnare the susceptible heart OF
this young, conf1ding girl. While the
man had advanced no direct claim, he
had said enough to make perfectly
clear the close intimacy OF their re.
lation and the existence OF definite
understanding between them. With
this recognized as fact, was he JUS
titled in endeavoring to win Nadia Gill
lis for himself? That the girl would
find continued happiness with such a
u1dH DIS IIdLlpOOu llS Slu hSt III q nv
ment believe possible; that she had
been deliberately deceived regarding
his true character he felt no doubt.
That the girl was morally so far
above him as to make his very touch
a proclamation, and at the unbidden
thought of 1t, the soldier vowed to OPP
pose such an unholy contamination.
Nor did he, even then, utterly despair
of SHINING, for he recalled afresh the
intimacy OF their few past meetings,
his face frightened in memory Of this
and that brief word or shy glance.
All the world loves lover, and all
the fairies guide him. AS the Off
GERS eyes glanced up from the dusty
road, he perceived just ahead the same
steep. bank down which he had
plunged in his effort at capturing his
fleeing tormentor With the sight
there came upon him the desire to ioi.
ter again In the little glen where they
had first met, and dream once moro
of her who had given to the shaded
nook both life and beauty. He swung
himself from the saddle. tied loose
rein to a scrub oak, and clambered up
the bank. 4
With the noiseless step of plains
man he pushed in through the laby-
rinths of bush. only to halt petrified
upon the very edge Of that inner bar
rier. No Pigment of imagination, but
the glowing reality OF flesh and blood,
awaited him. She had neither seen
nor heard his approach, and he stop
ped In perplexity. He had framed a
dozen speeches for her ears, yet now
he could do no more than stand and
gaze, his heart in his eyes. And it
was vision to enchain, to hold lips
speeches.. She was seated with un-
studied grace on the edge Of the bank,
her hands clasped about one knee. her
sweet face sobered by thought. her
eyes downcast, the long lashes plain
ly outlined against the clear cheeks.
sible, even had he possessed strength
of will sufficient to make the attempt.
nor would words of easy greeting
come to his relief He could merely
worship silently as before sacred
shrine. It was thus she glanced up
and saw him with startled eyes, her
hands unclaspins, her cheeks rose
colored.
Lieut.. Brant, you here?" she ex-
claimed. speaking as if his presence
seemed unreal. What strange mir
acles an idle thought can work."
Thoughts, have heard" he re-
Piled, coming toward her with head
will sometimes awaken
answers through vast distances of
time and space. AS my thought was
with you may be altogether to blame
FOR thus arousing your own From
the expression Of your face, sup
posed you dreaming"
She smiled, her eyes uplifted for a
single instant to his own. ut was
rather thought just merging into
dream, and there are few things in
life more sweet. know not whether
It is the common gift of all minds, but
AAJ AoJ -AlCCIlo oA0 olAAlOSI 1AlOl0 W
me than my realities"
First is was moods, and now
1reams." He seated himself comfort
ably at her feet. "You would cause
ne to believe you a most impractical
person, Miss Nadia"
IF that were only true, am sure
should be most happy, for it has
been my fortune so far to conjure up
only pleasure through day5dreaming
the things I like and long for be-
come my very own then. But If you
mean, as l suspect, that l do not en-
10y the dirt and drudgery Of life, then
ny plea will have to be guilty. Back
II what you term practical some one
has said there is always a dream, a
irst conception. In that sense l |
choose to be dreamer"
"And not SO unwise choice, II
your dreams only te1bd toward re-
suits" He sat looking into her ami
mated face, deeply puzzled by both
words and actions. II cannot help
that you avoid all reference
o my meeting with Mr.. Hampton. Is
his another sign of your impractical
nind?"
II should say rather the opposite,
or 1 had not even supposed it con-
.erned me-"
Indeed! That presents vastly diff |
erent view from the one given US an
lour since. The distinct impression