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

-(Continued.l


Why, not unless it might be little
Sammy Worrell; he can certainly use
the longest words I ever heard Of out
side a dictionary Why, may l ask?
Are you especially interested in prod
igies?"
"Oh, not in the least; certainly not
in little Sammy Worrell. The person
/ had reference to chances to be a
young woman, having dark eyes, and
wealth of auburn hair. We met quite
by accident, and tie sole clew l now
possess to her identity is a claim she
advanced to being your star pupil
Miss Spencer sighed somewhat re-
gretfully. and her eyes fell. 4 fear
it must have been Nadia, from your
description. But she is scarcely more
than a child. Surely. lieutenant, it
cannot be possible that you have be-
come interested in herr"
He smiled pleasantly. "At least Is,
is she not? was somewhat impressed
with her evident originality and hoped
to 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 l outline the studies she
pursues at home, and lend her such
books as l consider best adapted for
her readelg. She is such a strange
grill"
Indeed? She appeared to me to be
extremely unconventional, with a de-
cided tendency for mischief. Is that
your meaning?"
Partially. She manages to do
everything in a different way from
other people. Her mind seems pecu-
liarly independent, and she is so I'M
reservedly western in her ways and
language. But I was referring rather
to her taste in books-she devours
everything"
You mean as a STUDENT"
We'll, yes, I suppose SO; at least
she appears to possess the faculty Of
absorbing every bit of information.
like a sponge. Sometimes she actual
ly startles me with her odd questions.
/ really believe Mr.. Wynkoop seeks to
avoid meeting her, she has shocked
him so frequently in religious mat
ters"
Does she make light of his faith?"
oh no, not that exactly, at least it
is not her intention. But she wants
TO know everything-why we believe
this and why we believe that doc
.rines which no one else ever dreams
of questioning, and he cannot seem to
make them clear to her mind Some
-
to be positively shocking to a spirit
ually 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 per-
verse Nadia had not greatly lowered
her in his estimation, although he felt
instinctively that Miss Spencer was
not altogether pleased with his evil
dent interest in another.
ut Is very interesting to know that
you two met in 50 unconventional a
way" she ventured, softly and so
sly of her not even to mention it to
me- We are room-mates, you know,
and consequently quite intimate, al
though she possesses many peculiar
characteristics which | cannot in the
least approve. shall certainly do my
best to guide her Alright. Would you
mind giving mo some details of your
meeting?"
For a moment he hesitated, feeling
that II the girl had not seen fit to con-
fide her adventure to this particular
y do
So Then, remembering that he had
already said enough to arouse CT 81
osity, which might easily be developed
into suspicion, he determined his
course. In 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. 1T is all so characters
tic of her. l only wonder how she
CHANGED to guess your name; but real
" the girl appears to possess some
peculiar gift In thus discerning facts
hidden from others.
The music coming to a pause, they
slowly traversed the room.
4 presume, then, she is not pres
ent?" he said. quietly.
Miss Spencer glanced into his face
the grave tone making her apprehen
sive that she might have gone too far
She was here earlier in the even
ing, but now that you remind me of it
! do not recall having noticed her o
late. But, really, lieutenant, it is NJ
- Of =. 70 oh no
girl. Mrs Herndon could probably in
form you of her present whereabouts
Miss Spencer was conscious of thu
sting of failure. and her face flushed
with vexatiOn. 1T is extremely Close
IN here. don't you think?" she com
planned. And 1 was so careless as Il
mislay my fan l feel almost suffo
Gated"
Did you leave it at homer" he ques
IL