The Irish standard., 1907-04-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Make an EnnadAnoAn$

MAKE an engagement.
The south bound train was now due
in ten minutes. A few students had
boarded the Chicago train, but a
greater number still waited on the
farther platform. The girl in gray
was surrounded by half dozen stu
dents. all talking animatedly. AS I
walked toward them l could not JUS
tify my stupidity In mistaking a
school girl of. is Or 16 for . grown
woman; but it was the tam-o'-shanter,
the short skirt. the youthful Joy in
the outdoor world that had disguised
her as effectually as Rosalind to the
eyes of Orlando. She was probably a
teacher-quite likely the teacher of
music. l argued, who had amused her
self at my expense.
1t had seemed the easiest thing in
the world to approach her with an
apology or farewell. but those few
inches added to her skirt and that
pretty gray toque substituted for the
tam-o-shanter set up . barrier that
did not yield at all as drew nearer.
At the last moment. as crossed the
track and stepped upon the other plat
form. it occurred to me that while
might have some claim upon the at
tention of Olivia Gladys Armstrong, q
wayward school girl of athletic tastes.
I had none whatever upon a person
whom 1t was proper to address as
Miss Armstrong-who was, felt sure,
quite capable of snubbing me If snub-
bing fell in with her mood.
She glanced toward me and bowed
instantly. and her young companions
withdrew to a conservative distance.
I will say this for the students at St.
Agatha's. Annandaie: Their manners
are beyond criticism. and an affable
discretion is one of their most xdmira-
BILE traits.
Il didn't know they ever grew up
SO fast-in day aud a night"
I was glad remembered the num-
Der of beads in her chain; the item
seemed at once to become important.
Its the air. suppose. It's praised
by excellent critics." she laughed.
"But you are going to an ampler
ether, diviner air. You have at
tanned the beatific state and at once
take flight. II they confer perfection
like an academic degree at st. Ag-
atha's, then"
I had never felt so stupidity. helpless
in my life. There were thousand
things wished to say to her; there
we're countless questions I wished to
ask; but her calmness and poise were
disconcerting. Her eyes met mine
easily; their azure depths puzzled me.
She was almost, but not quite, some
one l had seen before. and it was not
my woodland Olivia. Her eyes, the
sofe curve Of her cheek, the light in
her hair-but the mefhory Of another
time. another place. another girl. lured
only to battle me.
She laughed-a little murmurine
laugh.
"1'll never tell II you WON'T" she
said.
But. don't see how that helps me
with you?"
1T certainly does not! That is a
much more serious matter. Mr.. Glen.
arm"
And the worst of 1t Is that ]
haven't a SINGLE thing to say for my.
self. 1t wasn't the not knowing that
was so utterly dull--"
Certainly not! II was talking that
ridiculous twaddle. It was trying to
hirt with a silly school girl. What
will do for 16 is somewhat vacuous
for"
She paused abruptly. colored and
laughed.
II am 27!"
"And am just the usual age" she
said.
ages don't count. but time is i'm.
portant- There are many things l
wish you would tell me-you. who hold
the key Of the gate of MYSTERY"
Go Be csa..ssS=1.l