The Irish standard., 1907-08-31
trough che ring or aunlrels.

only to think, you have never once
been near me all this evening You
don't know how much l have missed
YOU. was just saying to Mr.. Moffat
or it might have ben Mr.. Mcneil
that l was completely tired out and
wished YOU were here to sit out this
dance with me-"
Wynkoop blushed and forgot the
errand which had brought him there.
but she remained sufficiently cool and
observant She touched him gently
with her hand.
Who is that fine-looking young off,
cer?" she questioned SOFTLY yet with
out venturing to remove her glance
from his face.
Mr.. Wynkoop started. "Oh, exactly:
had forgotten my mission. He has
requested an introduction" He drew
the lieutenant forward. Lieut. Brant,
Miss Spencer"
The officer bowed, a slight shadow
of disappointment in his eyes. The
lady was unquestionably attractive.
her face animated. her reception most
cordial, yet she was not the maiden of
the dark, fathomless eyes and the
wealth of auburn hair
"Such pleasure to meet you" ex-
claimed Miss Spencer DO you know.
| lieutenant, that actually | have never
! before had the privilege Of meeting
an officer of the army. Your appear
j ance supplies the one touch of color
! that was lacking to make the picture
complete. Mr.. Moffat has done so
much to make me realize the breadth
of western experience and now, I do
| SO hope, you will some time find oppor-
tunity to recount to me some of your
army exploits"
The lieutenant smiled. Most glad.
ly; yet Just now. confess, the music
invites me, and am sufficiently bold
to request your company upon the
floor"
Miss Spencer sighed regretfully.
why, really, Lieut.. Drant, scarcely
see how l possibly can. have al.
ready refused so many this evening,
and now l almost believe must be
under direct obligation to some one
of those gentlemen. Still" hesitating-
ly, your being a total stranger here
must be taken into consideration. Mr..
Moffat, Mr.. Mcneil, Mr.. Mason, surely
you will grant me release this once?"
There was no verbal response to the
appeal, only an uneasy movement; but
her period of waiting was extremely
brief.
"Oh, knew you would; you have
all been so kind and considerate. I"
She arose, resting her dainuly gloved
hand upon Brant's blue sleeve. her
pleased eyes smiling up confidingly
into his. Then with charming smile,
"Oh, Mr.. Wynkoop, have decided to
not care?"
Wynkoop bowed, his face like a
poppy.
Il thought you would not mind oblig
ing me in this. Come, lieutenant"
Miss Spencer, when she desired to
be, was most vivacious companion
and always an excellent dancer. Brant
easily succumbed to her sway, and be-
came, for the time being, a victim to
her charms. To Brant the experience
brought back fond memories of his
last cadet ball at the Point, and he
hesitated to break the mystic spell
with abrupt questioning. Curiosity
however, finally mastered his reti
cence.
Miss Spencer" he asked, may
inquire if you possess such a phenome
non as star puril?'
The lady laughed merrily, but he1
expression became somewhat puzzled
Really, what very strange question
Why, not unless it might be little
Sammy Worrell: he can certainly use
the longest words ever heard Of out
side dictionary. Why. may l ask
Are you especially interested in prod
igies?"
"Oh, not in the least; certainly no
in little Sammy Worrell. The person
had reference to chances to be {
young woman, having dark eyes, and ;
wealth of auburn hair. We met quite
by accident, and the sole clew l nov
possess to her identity is claim sh'
advanced to being your star pupil"
, Miss Spencer sighed somewhat re
, gretfully, and her eyes fell. Il fea
it must have been Nadia, from you
description. But she is scarcely NOR
!, than a child Surely, lieutenant, |
: cannot be possible that you have be
come interested in herr"
> He smiled pleasantly. "At least Is
is she not? | was somewhat impresse
, with her evident originality and hope
: to renew our Sigh; acquaintanceshi
, here in more formal manner. She j
your star pupil, then?"
, why. she is not really in my schoc
, at all, but l outline the studies sh
! pursues at home, and lend her sue
, books as l consider best adapted 70
, her reading. She is such strang
!. grill"
Indeed? She appeared to me to b
: extremely unconventional, with a d.
!. cided tendency for mischief. Is tha
, your meaning"
HDortio1ly Che MANAGES IN n