Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
learned long since not to confide secrets to


Miss Spencer
Apparently neither cared to discuss the
problem longer. yet he remained silent con-
siderfng whether to- venture the asking of
those questions which might decide his fate
He was uncertain of the ground he occu-
pied, while Miss Nadia, with all her frank
ness was not one to approach thoughtlessfy,
nor was the sword Of her tongue without
sharp point.
you speak Of your confidence in us both, .
he said, slowly. ITO me the complete trust
you repose in Mr. Hampton is scarcely
comprehensive. Do you truly believe in
his reform?'
Certainly. Don't your
The direct return question served to nettIe
and confuse him. ut is. perhaps. not my
place to say. as my future happiness does
not directly depend on the permanence of
his reformation. But if his word can be
depended upon. your happiness to a very
large extent does"
She bowed Il have no doubt you can
safely repose confidence in whatever he may
have told you regarding me-
You irdorse, then. the claims he ad-
vances?"
"You are very insistent: yet know of no
good reason why I should not answer.
Without at all Knowing the nature of those
claims to which you refer / have no hest
fancy in saying that I possess such COM
plete confidence in Bob Hampton as to re-
ply 'unreservedfy yes. But really, Lieut..
Brant. should prefer talking upon some
gentlemen are not friendly, yet there is no
reason why any misunderstanding between
you should interfere with our friendship, is
thereT
She asked this question with such per-
feet innocence that Brant believed she
failed to comprehend. Hampton's claims.
II have been informed that 1t must he
explained. 81 have been told that was no
longer to force my attentions upon Miss
Gillis"
~"Ry Rob Hamnton 2,'
Yes Those were I believe. his exact
words. Can you wonder that 1 hardly
know how 1 stand in your sight?''
II do not at all understand" she fall
tered Truly. Lieut.. Brant, / do not.
feel that Mr.. Hampton would not say that
without a good and sufficient reason. He
is not man to be swayed by prejudice:
yet, whatever the reason may be, I know
nothing about It,"
But you do not answer. my last query"
Perhaps did not hear It."
TT was. How do 1 stand In your sight?
That Is of far more Importance to me now
than any unauthorized command from Mr.
Hampton
She glanced up into his serious face shyly,
with a little dimple of returning laughter
Indeed: but perhaps he might not care to
you that you were very far from, being my
ideal. possibly it may now be my duty to
qualify that harsh statement somewhat
by confessing that 1 am our ideal?'
ideals. you know, or else they would en-
tirely cease to be ideals. My confession Is
limited to mere admission that 1 now
consider you very pleasant young man."
You offer me stone when 1 cry unto
you for bread" he exclaimed THE world
Is filled with pleasant young men, They
are q drug on the market. beg some
special distinction, some different classifica-
tion~in your eyes,"
You are becoming quite hard to please"
her face turned partially away, her look
meditative "and-and dictatorial: but will
try. You are intelligent. splendid dancer,
fairly good Hooking, rather bright at times.
and. no doubt, would prove yenturesome IL
not held strictly to your proper place. Take
1t all in all. you are even Interesting. and
I admit am inclined to like you"
The tantalizing tone and manner nerved
him: he grasped the white hand resting In
willingly on the grass. and held 1t firmly
within his own. You only make sport as
you did once before. / must have the
whole truth"
would be sheerest mockery. and / would
never dare to be 30 free. Why. remember
we are scarcely more than strangers. How
rude you arei only our third time of meet
ing. and you will not release my hand
mot unless must. Nadia" and the deep
ringing -soberness of his voice startled the
girl Into suddenly uplifting her eyes to his
face. What she read there instantly
changed her mood from playfulness to
earnest gravity.
"Oh, please do not-do not say what you
are tempted to-" her voice almost pleading.
81 cannot listen; truly I cannot; must not
It would make US both very unhappy and
you would be sure to regret such hasty
Words
"Regretr' and he yet chung to the hand
which she scarcely endeayored to release,
bending forward. hoping to read In her hid
den eyes the secret her lips guarded. Am