The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-08-17

sir" n ventuTed, sitting up on d
grassy bank, the better to confront
him, before intruding thus unin-
vited."
He lifted his somewhat dingy scout
ing hat and bowed humbly.
81 perceived no door giving warning
that 1 approached such presence, and
the first shock of surprise was per-
haps as great to me as to you. Yet,
now that l have Numbered thus far, 1
beseech that 1 be permitted to venture
upon yet another STEP"
She sat looking at him, a trim, SOL
dierly figure, his face young and pleas
ant to gaze upon, and her dark yes
sensibly softened.
What step?"
ITO 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 o may, If o will first
consent to be sensible" she said, with
returning gravity; and 1 reserve the
right to turn you away whenever you
begin to tall or act foolish. If you
accept these conditions, you may sit
down"
He seated himself upon the soft
grass ledge, retaining the hat in his
hands. You must be an odd sort Of a
girl" he commented, soberly, mo- to
welcome an honest expression of ad-
miration."
"Oh, was that it? Then I duly bow
my acknowledgment. I took your
words for one of those silly compI-
ments by which men believe they
honor women. 1 m not a baby, nor
am I seeking amusement"
He glanced c%uriously at her book.
"And yet you condescend to ead love
stories,'' he said, smiling. 81 expected
to discover a treatise on philosophy"
81 read whatever I chance to get my
hands on, here in Glencaid," she re-
torted, ''just as 1 converse with who
ever comes along. 1 am hopeful of
some day discovering a rare gem hid
den in the midst of the trash. I am
yet young"
you are indeed young" he said,
quietly, land 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
will offer me a topic worthy the occa-
sion. in either philosophy, science, or
literature, 1 will endeavor to feed your
mind"
She uplifted her innocent eyes de-
murely to his face. You are so kind.
I am deeply interested just now in the
Japanese conception of the transmit
grafton of souls"
How extremely fortunatei It
chances to be my favorite theme, but
my mental processes are peculiar, and
you must permit me to work up to-
ward it somewhat gradually. Fol 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, 1 consider this a most de
lightful nook"
MY reference was to Glencaid."
"Ohi Why, 1 live from within, not
without. Mind and heart, not environ
ment, make life, and my time is occu-
pied most congenially. / am being
faithfully nutured on the Presbyterian
catechism, and also trained in the
graces of earthly society. These alter
nate, thus preparing me for whatever
may happen in this world or the next"
His face pictured bewilderment, but
also n determination to p~ersevere- AN
interesting combination, 1 admit But
from your appearance this cannot al
ways have been your home?"
ooh, thank you. l believe not al
ways; but I wonder at your being able
~roundings. And do you know your
| Hrrn~finninO fG hnnnrninO nTIffM nar.
sonal? Does hat yield me an equal
privilege?"
He bowed, perhaps relieved at thus
permitting her to assume the iritia'
tive, and rested lazily back upon the
grass. his eyes intently studying her
face.
st uppose from your clothes you
must be a soldier What Is that figure
z on your hat for?"
1.-THE number of my regiment, the
Seventh cavalry"
Her glance was a bit disdainful a.
she coolly surveyed him from head %
foot. 81 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 q sol
dier's life q worthy one?"
"Oh, yes, of course, in a way. We
have to have soldiers. I suppose; but
If I were a man I'd hate to waste III
my life tramping around at SIS
month"
He smothered what sounded like
rough ejaculation, gazing into her de
mure eyes as If he strongly suspected
n joke hid In their depths. "Do-ds
you mistake me for an enlisted manf'
"Oh, I didn't know; you said ycl
were a soldier, and that's what I nj
ways heard they got I I'm SO glad 1
they give you more. / was only goin.
to say that I believed I could get yol