Free press., 1907-10-12
CHAPTER II.-continucd.

CHAPTER Il.-continucd.
The other-well, couldn't help it.
1t was Kismet, fate, the turn in the
road, what you will. fell heels over
head in love with her at once.
Eyes she had as blue as the Egean
sea on windy days. blue as the cloud
winnowed sky of winters twilight,
blue as sapphires-Irish eyes! Her
hair was as dark and silken as a plume
from the wings Of night. (Did not
say that had some poetry in my sys-
temp The. shape Of her mouth
Never mind; can recall only the mad
desire to kiss 1t. A graceful figure;
proud head, slender hand, a foot SO
small that 1 wondered if it really
poised, balanced or supported her
young body. Tender she must be, and
loving, enclitical rather than erect like
her authoritative companion. She was
adorable.
All this inventory of feminine charms
was taken by furtive glances. some
times caught-or were they taking an
inventory of myself? Presently my
appetite became singularly submis-
sive. Hunger often is satisfied by the
feeding of the eyes. I dropped my
napkin on the table and pushed back
my chair. My hostesses ceased con-
Versing.
Ladies'" said I courteously, 'I Of
fer you my sincere apologies for this
innocent intrusion" looked at my
watch. 81 believe that you gave me
an hours respite. So, then, 1 have 80
minutes to my account"
The women gazed at each other.
One laughed, and the other smiled; it
was the English girl who laughed this
time. I liked the sound of it better
than any had yet heard.
(Pardon another parenthesis.
hope you haven't begun to think am
the hero of this comedy. Let it be
furthest from your thoughts. 1 am
only q passive bystander.)
Il sincerely trust that your hunger
is appeased," said the one who had
smiled.
1T is, thank you" 1 absently fum-
bled in my coat pockets, then guiltily
dropped my hands. What a terrible
thing habit Isl
You may smoke" said the Bou-
guereau child who was grown into
womanhood. Wasn't that fine of her?
And wasn't it rather observant, too?
learned later that she had a brother
who was fond of tobacco. To her eyes
my movement was familiar one.
with your kind permission" said
gratefully. 1 hadn't had a smoke in
four hours.
1 owned single good cigar, the last
OF my importation. 1 lighted it and
blew forth a snowy billow of heavenly
aroma I know something about hu
man nature. even the feminine side oi
it a presentable young man with a
roll Of aromatic tobacco seldom fails
to win the confidence Of those about
him. With that cloud OF smoke the
raw edge of formality smoothed down
Had you any particular destina
tion?" asked Gretchen.
None at all. The road took my
fancy, and simply followed It"
"Ah! that is one of the pleasures ot
bids. I ride"
We were getting on famously.
do you take long journeys?" / In
quired.
often. 1t is the most exhilaratine
OF SpOTISs Sa1u Cn0 EncnanCm0nC
The scenery changes; there are sc
many things that charm and engage
your interest; the mountains, the wa
terways, the old ruins. Have you evel
whistled to the horses af1eld and
watched them come galloping down tt
the wall? 1t is fine. In England
But her mouth closed suddenly. She
was talking to stranger.
/ love enthusiasm in a woman.
colors her cheeks and makes her eye:
sparkle. grew a bit bolder.
Il heard a wonderful voice as ap
preached the CASTLE" said L
Gretchen shrugged
Il haven't heard its equal outsidt
Berlin or Paris,'' went on.
'Paris?" said Gretchen, laying
neat little trap for me into which M
conceit was soon to tumble me- "Pari.
Is 4 marvellous city"