The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-27
CHAPTER XVI.
The Reappearance Of an Old Friend

Nadia danced 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 a 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 inf1u-
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.
II have been looking everywhere
for you, Nadia" Mrs. Herndon said, a
slight complaint in her voice. I'VE
were going home"
Naidas cheeks Redeemed painfully.
81 am so sorry If 1 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. Herndon's ex-
preston was noncommittal. while her
eyes surveyed the lieutenant
with your permission, of course"
he said.
81 hardly think 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 few commonplaces, to which
she scarcely returned even monosyl-
Liable replies, although she frequently
flashed shy chances at his grave face.
Both realized that some explanation
was forthcoming, yet 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 Us
walk directly down the road"
He INDUCED in no comment, his
eyes perceiving pathetic pleading in
her upturned face. Suddenly there
came to him belief that the girl was
crying; he could feel the slight tremor
of her form against his own. He
glanced furtively 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.
'Iittle girl" he said, forgetting the
shortness of their acquaintance in the
r deep feeling of the moment, tell me
|, what the trouble is
IT suppose you think me an awful
creature for saying that" she blurted
out, without looking up. TT 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
t, prove the entire difficulty. Don't let
that worry you. Why, am simply re-
joiced at being permitted to go. Do
you know, l wanted to request the
privilege all the time we were dancing
together. But you acted so differently
from when we were beneath the vines
that / actually lost my nerve"
! She looked up and he caught a feet
ing glimpse into her unveiled eyes.
Il did not wish you to ask me-"
= WHAT" He stopped suddenly
why, then. did you make such an an
nouncement to Mrs Herndon?"
7 "Ch, that was different" she ex
planned, uneasily. Il had to do that;
. had to trust you to help me out, but
q bit I really wanted to go home
i alone"
He swept his unbelieving eyes
q around over the deserted night scene
A not knowing what answer to return t
a so strange an avowal. Was that what
caused you to appear so distant to me
in the hail. sc vastly different from
7 what you had been before?"
She nodded, but with her gaze still
upon the ground.
a Miss Nadia" he said. "it would b.
a cowardly for me to attempt to dodge
this issue between US. Is it because
+. you do Dot like me-"
She looked up quickly. the moon
: light revealing her flushed face.
4 "Oh, no. no, you must never thinl
q that. / told you l was girl of moods
under those vines ! had one mood, il
r. the hall another Cannot you under
v stand?"
(To be continued.)