The Irish standard., 1907-10-05

yielded to them.
I'VE were informed that you expe-
rienced great anxiety for fear we
might quarrel-so great, indeed, that
you had confided your troubles to an.
other"
ITO whom?"
Miss Spencer. She came to us "a.
tensibly in your name, and as peace.
maker"
For moment she sat gazing direct
~ at him, then she laughed softly.
why, how supremely ridiculous;
can hardly believe it true, only your
face tells me you certainly are not
In play. Lieut.. Brant, I have never
even dreamed of such a thing. You
had informed me that your mission
was one of peace, and he pledged me
his word not to permit any quarrel.
had the utmost confidence in YOU
BOTH"
How, then, did she even know of
our meeting?"
Il am entirely in the dark, as mys.
titled as you," she acknowledged.
frankly, "for it has certainly never
been habit with me to betray the
confidence of my friends, and learn.
ed long since not to confide secrets to
Miss Spencer"
Apparently neither cared to discuss
the problem longer, yet he remained
silent considering those questions
which might decide his fate.
You speak of your confidence in
US BOTH" he said. slowly. ITO me
the complete trust you repose in Mr..
Hampton is scarcely comprehensive,
Do you truly believe in his reform?"
Certainly. Don't you?"
The direct return question served
to nettle and confuse him. ut is.
perhaps, not my place to say, as my
future happiness does not directly de.
pend on the permanence of his
reformation. But If his word can be
depended upon, your happiness to a
very large extent does"
She bowed. II have no doubt YOU
can safely repose confidence in what.
ever he may have told you regarding
me-"
"You indorse, then. the claims he
advances?"
"You are very insistent; yet I
know Of no good reason why I should
not answer. Without at all knowing
the nature Of those claims to which
you refer, / have no hesitancy in say.
Ing that I possess such complete con.
fdence in Bob Hampton as to reply
unreservedly yes. But really, Lieut.
Brant should prefer talking upon
some other topic. It is evident that
you two gentlemen are not friendly.
yet there is no reason why any mis-.
understanding between you should in
terfere with our friendship, is there?"
She asked this question with such
perfect innocence that Brant believed
she failed to comprehend Hampton's
claims.
II have been informed that it must"
he explained. Il have been told that
was no longer to force my attentions
upon Miss Gillis."
"By Bob Hampton
eyes. Those were, I believe, hi eE
act words. Can you wonder t! e !
hardly know how I stand in you,
sight?"
Il do not at all understand" she
faltered. Truly, Lieut.. Brant, do
not. l feel that Mr.. Hampton would
not say that without good and suf
f1cient reason. He is not a man to
be swayed by prejudice; yet, what.
ever the reason may be, I know moth.
ing about it,
But you do not answer my last
query"
Perhaps I did not hear It,"
1T was: How do stand in your
sight? That is Of far more impor.
lance to me now than any unauthor.
ized command from Mr.. Hampton. "
She glanced up into his serious face
shyly, with little dimple of returning
laughter. Indeed: but perhaps he
might not care to have me say. How,
ever, as once informed you that you
were very far from being my ideal
possibly it may be my duty to qualify
that harsh statement somewhat"
by confessing that Am you.
tdeal?"
"Oh, indeed, no! We never realize
our ideals. you know. or else they
would entirely cease to be ideals. My
confession is limited to mere admis
sion that I uow consider you 4 very
pleasant young gentleman"
You offer me u stone when cry
unto your for bread" he exclaimed
1.-The world 10 filled with pleasant
young men. They are 4 drug on the
market. I beg some special dist1nc.
ton. some different classification in
your eyes"
You are becoming quite hard to
please" her face turned partially
away, her look meditaative, and
and dictatorial: but will try. You
are intelligent. 4 splendid dancer,
fairly good looking, rather bright at