Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-11-01

Is she not? was somewhat impressed
with her evident originality and hoped
to renew our slight mountaineering
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 ! consider best adapted for
her reading. 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 meaningT
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 was referring rather
to her taste In books-she devours
everything"
you mean as q STUDENT"
We'll, yes, 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 1t
is not her intention But she wants
to know everything-why we believe
this and why We believe that, doc
trines which no one else ever dreams
OF questioning, and he cannot seem to
make them clear to her mind. Some
of her questions are so irreverent as
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.
1T is very interesting to know that
you two met in so unconventional a
way" she ventured, softly, and so
sly Of her not even to mention 1t 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 me some details of your
meeting?"
For a moment he hesitated, feeling
that If the girl had not seen fit to con.
fide her adventure to this particular
friend, II was hardly his place to do
so. Then, remembering that he had
already said enough to arouse curl
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.
"0h, that was Nadia, beyond
doubt" she exclaimed, with a laugh of
satisfaction. 1T is all so characteris-
tic Of her | only wonder how she
CHANGED to guess your name; but real
ly 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.
81 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,
| dc not recall having noticed her of
late. But, really, lieutenant, 1t is no
part OF my duty to chaperon the young
girl. Mrs. Herndon could probably In
form you Of her present whereabouts. |"
Miss Spencer was conscious OF the
sting Of failure, and her face flushed
with vexation. 1T is extremely close
In here, don't you Think" she CON-
planned. And | was so careless as to
mislay my fan. | feel almost suffo-
Gated"
Did you leave 1t at homer" he ques-
toned. Possibly | might discover a
substitute somewhere in the room"
"Oh, no; | would never think Of
troubling you to such an extent No
doubt this feeling of lassitude will
pass away shortly. 1t was very fool
ish Of me, but | left the fan with my
wraps at the hotel. 1t can be recov-
cred when We go across to supper"
1T will be no more than a pleasure
to recover it for YOU" he protested,
CALAMITY.
The stairs leading down from the
hall entrance we're shrouded in dark
ness, the street below nearly deserted
of loiterers, although lights streamed
forth resplendently from the undraped
windows Of the Occidental and the
hotel opposite. Assisted in his search
by Mrs. Gufy, the officer succeeded In
recovering the lost fan, and started to
return. Just without the hotel door,