The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-27

ceiver. / truly met Miss Spencer.
was the recipient of her most entranc-
ing smiles, l listened TO her modu-
lated voice; / bore her off, willing
captive. from a throng of despairing
admirers; l danced with her, gazing
down into her eyes, with her fluffy
hair brushing my cheek, yet resisted
all her charms and came forth think
ing only OF you
Indeed? Your proof?"
He drew the white satin fan forth
from his pocket, and held it out to-
ward her with mock humility. This,
unbelieving princess. Dispatched by
the fair lady in question to fetch this
bauble from the dressing room, l for
got my urgent errand in the sudden
delight Of finding you"
The case seems fully proved" she
confessed, laughingly. and it is sure
ly not my duty to punish the culprit
What did you talk about? But, pshaw,
l know we'll enough without asking
she told you how greatly she admired
the romance of the west, and begged
you to call upon her with a recital of
your own exploits Have l not guessed
aright?"
Partially, at least; some such ex-
preSsions wore used"
"Of course, they always are | do
not know whether they form merely a
part of her stock in trade, or are
spoken earnestly. You would laugh to
hear the tales of wild and thrilling adj
venture which she picks up, and actu-
ally believes. That Jack Moffat pos
sesses the most marvellous magma
ton for such things, and if | make fun
of his impossible stories she becomes
angry in an instant"
4 am afraid you do not greatly ad-
mire this Miss Spencer"
ooh, but do; truly do. You must
not think me ungrateful. No one has
ever helped me more, ar beneath
this mask of artifciality she is really
noble-hearted woman. l do not I'M
derstand the necessity for people to
lead false lives. Is it this way in all
society-eastern society, I mean? Do
scheme and fiirt, smile and stab, for
ever assuming parts like so many play
actors?"
1T is far too common" he admitted,
touched by her naive questioning
What is known as fashionable social
life has become an almost pitiful
sham, and you can scarcely conceive
ly uncontaminated by its miserable de-
ceits, its shallow believes 1t is
no wonder you shock the nerves of
such people; the deed is easily accom-
| plished"
But I do not mean to-" And she
looked at him gravely, striving to
make him comprehend. Il try so hard
to be-be commonplace, and-and sat
isfied. Only there is so much that
seems silly, useless, pitifully con
temptible that l lose all patience.
Perhaps 1 need proper training in what
Miss Spencer calls refinement; but
why should I pretend to like what /
don't like, and to believe what l don't
believe? Cannot one act lie as we'll
dS SpSdh On6. Anu Is II uO hunger
right to search after the TRUTH"
II have always felt it was our duty
to discover the truth wherever posi-
BILE" he said, thoughtfully; yet,
confess, the search is not fashionable
nor the earnest seeker popular"
A little trill of laughter flowed from
between her parted lips, but the sound
was not altogether merry.
Most certainly I am not. They p
scold me, and repeat with manifest
horror the terrible things I say, beins
unconscious that they are evil. Why
should l suspect thoughts that come
to me naturally. l want to know, tt
understand. I grope about in the
dark. 1t seems to me sometimes thaf
this whole world is mystery. l &c
to Mr.. Wynkoop with my questions
and they only seem to shock him
Why should they? God must have pu
all these doubts and wonderings intt