The Yale expositor., 1907-12-27
CHAPTER XIV.
An Unusual Girl.

Brant imagined he could detect the
CLINT of tears. She spoke first, her
voice faltering slightly.
viii you kindly permit me to
pass?"
He stepped instantly to one side,
bowling as he did so.
Il beg your pardon for such seeming
rudeness," he said, gravely. II have
been seeking you all the evening, yet
this unexpected meeting caught me
quite unawares."
You have been seking me? That is
strange. For what reason, pray?"
ITO achieve what you were once
kind enough to suggest as possible
the formality of an introduction. Il
would seem, however, that fate makes
our meetings informal"
That is your fault, not mine"
Il gladly assume all responsibility,
If you will only waive the formality
and accept my friendship
Her face seemed to tighten, while
her lips twitched as if suppressing
smile. You are very forgetful. Did |
not tell you that we Presbyterians are
never guilty of such indiscretions?"
Il believe you did, but | doubt your
complete surrender to the creed"
Doubt! Only our second time of
meeting and you already venture to
doubt This can scarcely be construed
into a compliment, fear"
Yet to my mind IL may prove the
very highest type of compliment" be
returned, treasured by her manner.
For a certain degree of independence
in both thought and action is highly
commendable. Indeed, | am going to
be bold enough to add that it was
these very attributes that awakened
my interest in you"
"Oh, indeed you cause me to blush
already. My frankness, | fear bids
fair to cost me all my friends, and
may even go beyond your pardon, II
the perverse spirit of my nature so
move me-
The risk of such a catastrophe is
mine, and ] would gladly dare that
much to get away from conventional
commonplace. One advantage of such
meetings as ours is an immediate in
sight into each others deeper nature.
For one | shall sincerely rejoice if you
will permit the good fortune of our
chance meeting to be alone sponsor
for our future friendship. VIII you
not say yes?'
She looked at him with greater
earnestness, her young face sobered
h.. IL tic AThafnUar "a
she may have seen revealed there, the
countenance bending slightly toward
| her was a serious, manly one, inspir-
ing respect, awakening confidence.
And | do agree" she said, extend
ing her hand in a girlish impulse. 1T
will at least. be a new experience and
therefore worth the trial. | will even
endeavor to restrain my rebellious
spirit, so that you will not be unduly
| shocked"
He laughed. now placed entirely at
his ease Your need of mercy is APP
preciated fair lady. Is it your desire
to return to the hall?"
She shook her head positively. "A
! cheap. gaudy show, all buster and
vulgarity. Even the dancing is mere
parody. ] early tired of it,
Then let us choose the better part,
and sit here on the bench, the night
our own
He conducted her across the porch
to the darkest corner, where only riffs
of light stole trembling in between the
shadowing vines, and there found con
venient seats. A moment they re-
NAMED in silence, and he could hear
her breathing.
Have you truly been at the hall.
she questioned, 'or were you merely
fibbing to awaken my INTEREST,"
II truly have been" he answered
and actually have danced a measure
with the fair guest of the evening"
with Phoebe Spencer! And yet
YOU dare pretend now to retain an in
terest in me? Lieut.. Brant, you must
be a most talented deceiver, or else
the strangest person | ever met Such
a miracle has never occurred before!
We'll it has certainly occurred
now: nor am i'm this any vain de
ceiver / truly met Miss Spencer.
was the recipient or her most entranc
ing smiles; listened to her modu
lated voice: | bore her of, willing
captive. from a throng of despairine
admirers: danced with her. gazing
down into her eyes. with her fuffS
hair brushing my cheek, yet resisted
all her charms and came forth think
ing only of you"
Indeed? Your proof?"
He drew the white satin fan forth
from His pocket, and held il out to
ward her with mock humility. This
unbelieving princess. Dispatched BY
the fair lady in question to fetch thii
bauble from the dressing-room, | for
got my urgent errand in the suddeI
delight of finding you
CTo BE CoNTINUED)