Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14
CHAPTER VIII.

The Reappearance Of an Old Friend.
After supper the lieutenant and Mazda
danced twice together, the young girls
mood having apparently changed to one Of
buoyant. careless happiness. her dark eyes
smiling. her lips uttering freely whatever
thought came uppermost. Outwardly she
pictured the gay and merry spirit Of the
night yet to Brant. already observing her
with the jealousy of lover, she appeared
distrait and restless. her affectation of
abandon a mere mask to her true feelings.
There was peculiar watohfulness In her
glances about the crowded room, while her
flushed cheeks and the distinctly false note
in her laughter began to- trouble him not a
little. Perhaps these things might have
passed unnoted but for their contrast with
the late confidential chat.
He could not reconcile this sudden change
with what he believed of her. 1t was not
carried out with the practiced art Of one
accustomed to deceit. There must be some
thing real influencing her action. These
misg.vings burdened his mind even as he
swung lightly with her to the music, and
they talked together in little snatches.
He had forgotten Miss Spencer. forgotten
everything else about him, permitting HIM
self to become enthralled by this strange
girl whose name even he did not know. In
ton, awakening his interest, his curiosity,
his respect. and even now, when some Sc
cret seemed to sway her conduct. 1t merely
served to strengthen his resolve to advance
natures which welcome strife: they require
opposition, difficulty, to develop their real
strength. Brant was of this breed. The
very conception that some person. even
some inanimate thing, might stand be-
tween him and the heart of this fair woman
acted upon him like a stimulant.
The last of the two waltzes ended. they
walked slowly through the scattering
to the former independence and intimacy
of speech. While endeavoring bravely to
exhibit interest. her mind too clearly wan
dered. and there was borne in slowly upon
him the distasteful idea that She would
prefer being left alone Brant had been
secretly hoping 1t might become his priv
ilege to escort her home. but now he burst
not breathe the words of such a request.
Something indeinable had arisen between
them which held the man dumb and nerve
less. Suddenly they came face to face with
Mrs. Herndon and Brant felt the girls arm
witch
Mazda" Mrs. Herndon said, a slight COM
plant in her voice. 1--WE were going home. i"
Naida's cheeks redeemed painfully.
II am SO sorry II have kept you wait
but Lieut.. Brant was intending to accom-
pany me. We were just starting for the
cloak room"
'ph. indeedr' Mrs. Herndon's expression
was noncommittal. while her eyes surveyed
the lieutenant.
with your permission. Of course" he
said
II hardly think have any need to inter-
fere."
They separated, the younger people walk
ing slowly. silently toward the door. He
held her arm. assisting her to descend the
stairway. his lips murmuring a few COM
monplaces. to which she scarcely returned
even monosyllabic replies. although she fire.
quently flashed shy giances at his grave
face. Both realized that some explanation
was forthcoming. yet neither was quite pre-
pared to force the issue.
II have no wraps at the hotel" she said.
AZ he attempted to turn that way THAT
was lie also. Let US walk directly down
the road"
He INDUCED In no comment. his eyes per-