Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12

he can certainly use the longest words ]
ever heard OF outside a dictionary. Why
may ask? Are you especially interested
in prodigies?"
/ '.On, not in the least certainly not in little
Sammy Worrell. The person had refer.
ehee to chances to be young woman, hav-
ing dark eyes and wealth of auburn hair
We met quite by accident and the sole clew
now possess to her identity is claim she
advanced to being your star pupil"
Miss Spencer sighed somewhat regret
fully, and her eyes fell. II fear 1t must
have been Nadia, from your description.
Surely. lieutenant. 1t cannot be possible
that you have become interested In herr"
He smiled pleasantly. AT least eight
cen. is she not? I was somewhat impressed
renew our slight acquaintanceship here In
more formal manner. She is your star
pupil Them
why she is not really in my school at
all. but outline the studies she pursues at
home. and lend her such books as / con-
slider best adapted for her reading. She is
snch a strange girl!"
Indeed? She appeared to me to be ex-
tremely unconventional. with decided ten
dency for mischief Is that your mean
ing?'
Partially She manages to do every
thing In a different way from other people.
Her mind seems peculiarly Independent, and
she Is so unreservedly western in her ways
and language. But I was referring rather
to her taste In books-she devours every
thing"
You mean as a STUDENT"
well. yes suppose SO: at least she APP
pears to possess the faculty of absorbing
every bit of information, like a sponge.
Sometimes she actually startles me with her
odd questions; they are unexpected and
| abstruse. falling from the lips of so young
a girl. Then her ideas are so crude and I'M
common. and she is so frankly outspoken.
that | become actually nervous when I am
with her. 1 really believe Mr.. Wynkoop
seeks to avoid meeting her. she has shocked
| him frequently In religious matters"
Does she make light of his faith?'
"Oh. no, not that exactly. at least it is
not her intention But she wants to know
rything-why we believe this and why
we believe that. doctrines which no one
else ever dreams of questioning, and he
cannot seem to make them clear to her
mind Some of her questions are SO irrev-
erent as to be positively shocking to a spir-
itually minded person
They lapsed into silence. swinging easily
to the guidance of the music. His face was
grave and thoughtful. This picture Just
drawn of the perverse MAZDA had not great
ly lowered her in his estimation. although
he felt instinctiyely that Miss Spencer was
not altogetiiess pleased with his evident In
terest In another. 1t was hardly in her ma
ture patiently to brook rival. but she dis
sembled with all the art OF clever woman
smiling happily up into his face as their
eyes again met
cit Is very interesting to know that you
two met in so unconventional a way" she
ventured. softly. land so sly of her not even
to mention 1t to me. We are roommates.
you know. and consequently quite intimate
although she possesses many peculiar cfar-
acteristics which 1 cannot in the least APP
prove. But after all. Nadia is really
good-hearted girl enough and she will prob
ably outgrow her present irregular ways
for. indeed. she is scarcely more than a
child. I shall certainly do my lest to
guide her Alright Would you mind giving
me some details of your meeting?'
For a moment he hesitated. feeling that
IL the girl had not seen fit to confide her
adventure to this particular friend. It was
hardly his place to do so. Then remem-
bering that he had already said enough to
arouse curiosity. which might easily be de-
veloped into suspicion, he determined his
course. In a few words the, brief story
was frankly told and apparently proved
quite amusing TO Miss Spencer.
''Oh. that was Nadia. beyond a doubt .,
she exclaimed. with laugh of satisfaction.
''It is all so characteristic of her / only
name: but really the girl appears to possess
some peculiar gift in thus discerning facts
hidden from others. Her instincts seem SO
finely developed that at times she reminds
me of wild animal"
This caustic inference did not please him
but he said nothing. and the music coming
to pause. they slowly traversed the room.
Il presume, then, she is not present." he
said. quietly.
Miss Spencer glanced into his face, the
grave tone making her apprehensiye that
she might have gone too far.
"She was here earlier In the evening hut
now that you remind me Of II. do not re-
call having noticed her Of late. But. really.
lieutenant, 1t Is no part Of my duty to
chaperon the young girl Mrs. Herndon