The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-10-24
CHAPTER XVI.

Neiod udHCeu 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 pic
tured the gay and merry spirit of the
night, yet to Brant already observing
her with the jealousy of lover, she
appeared distract and restless, her af-
fectatiOn of abandon a mere mask to
her feelings. Perhaps these things
might have passed unnoted but for
their contrast with the late confiden-
tial chat.
He could not reconcile this sudden
change with what he believed of her
1t was not carried out with the prac-
ticed art of one accustomed to deceit.
There must be something real infu-
encing her action. These misgivings
burdened his mind even as he swung
lightly with her to the music, and they
talked together in little snatches.
The last two waltzes ended, they
walked slowly through the scattering
throng, he striving vainly to arouse
her to the former independence and
intimacy of speech Suddenly they
came face to face with Mrs. Herndon,
and Brant felt the girls arm twitch.
81 have been looking everywhere
for you, Nadia, Mrs. Herndon said,
slight complaint in her voice. We
were going home
Naida's cheeks REDEEMED painfully
81 am so sorry if | have kept you
waiting" her words spoken with a
rush, "but-but, Lieut.. Brant was in
tending to accompany me. We were
just starting for the cloakroom."
ooh, indeed" Mrs. Herndons ex-
preston was noncommittal. while her
eyes surveyed the lieutenant,
with your permission, Of course"
he said.
81 hardly think l have any need to
interfere"
They separated. the younger people
walking slowly, silently toward the
door. He held her arm. assisting her
to descend the stairway. his lips muir
muring a few commOnplaces, to which
she scarcely returned even mOnosyl-
Liable replies, although she frequently
flashed shy glances at his grave face
Both realized that some explanation
was forthcoming, ye, neither was quite
prepared to force the issue.
81 have no wraps at the hotel" she
said as he attempted to turn that
way. That was a lie also; let IS
walk directly down the road"
He INDUCED in no comment. his
eyes perceiving a pathetic pleading in
her upturned face. Suddenly there
came to him a belief that the girl was
crying; he could feel the slight tremor
of her form against his own. He
glanced furtiyely at her, only to catch
the glitter Of a falling tear. To her
evident distress, his heart made in
slant and sympathetic response. With
all respect influencing the action, his
hand closed warmly over the smaller
one on his sleeve,
Little girl" he said, forgetting the
shortness of their acquaintance in the
deep feeling Of the moment, tell me
what the trouble is"
81 suppose you think me an awful
creature for saying that" she hlurted
out, without looking up. 1t wasn't
ladylike or nice, but--but l simply
couldn't help it, Lieut.. Brant."
You mean your sudden determine
ton to carry me home with you?" he
asked, relieved to think this might
prove the entire difficulty. Don't let
that worry you. WY. I am simply re-
ioiced at being permitted to go. Do
you know, | wanted to request the
privilege all the line we were dancing
together. But you acted so differently
from when we we're beneath the vines
that ] actually lost my nerve"
She looked 10 end he caught fleet
ing glimpse into her unveiled eyes.
81 did not wish you to ask me-"
WHAT" He stopped suddenly.
"Why, then, did you make such an an
nouncement to Mrs. Herndon?"
"Oh, that was different" she ex-
planned, uneasily. 81 had to do that;
| had to trust YOU to help me ont, but
but l really wanted to go home
alone"
He swept his unbelieving eyes
around over the deserted night scene,
not knowing what answer to return to
so strange an avowal Was that what
caused you to appear so distant to me
in the hall, so vastly diffC"2nt from
what you had been before?'
She nodded, but with her gaze still
upon the ground
Miss Nadia" he said, lit would be
cowardly for me to attempt to dodge
this issue between us. Is it because
you do not like me?"
She looked up quickly the moon
light revealing her flush-l face.
ooh, no, no! you must never think
that, l told you | was a girl of moods;
under those vines | had one mood in
the hall another. Cannot you under
stand|"
Very little" he admitted, "for l am
more inclined to believe you are the
possessor Of strong will than that
you are swayed by moods. Listen. y
| thought chat mere senseless mood
had caused your peculiar treatment Of