Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-17

, bly,, there will be a lover, or, rather , lovers."
 "You think my aunt will like me-? she asked uncertainty. , "How can she help it?' , "You think am, then, likeable?" . T like you" "Oh," she caught her breath, ''do , youY
 He felt himself stirred by the soft thrill in her voice. But in some re- spects he was the stupidest of even his stupid sex, and he did not realize the emotion her words and tone expressed.
 And if liked you," he tried to en. courage her, you'll get on with other people. I'm not considered a lamb. So don't you fancy you're going to be lonely"
 "But-shall Lever see you?'
 Surely He felt touched by her helpless, childlike turning to him, her first and only friend. T often go to New York and Washington, where your aunt spends her winters usually. 1 Dul, hC duuCu, u tou\h ol pulhOS HI his tone, you will soon learn to get on without me, though seem so neces- sary to you now.''
 She made no comment, not even a polite protest.
 You afford me many pleasant sur prises, Eunice," he suddenly remarked, knocking some brambles from her pathway with his cane. The gallantry. instinctive and minimizing with him, but understandable to her only through books, thrilled her in a way that would have amazed him if he had dreamed of it.
 Pleasant surprises?' she repeated with timid questioning.
 You know I thought all along that you were in love with Abe"'
 She did not answer at once as she walked with her eyes on the path be- fore her.
 T was aware that<you paid me that compliment" she presently spoke in a low voice.
 "For which I owe you an apology. It was stupid of me. And very unfat- tering to your taste, admit"
 The fact was he realized that his be- lief in her infatuation for Abe had been the only thing in his knowledge of her that had seemed to put her on lower plane than the one on which as Miss Wolcott" she would hence forth move. The discovery of her aver sion to the farmers son had placed her at a bound at his side as his equal in every sense, no longer an ignorant country damsel to be indulgently pat ronized by him and her aunt.
 "Why didn't you tell me you despised the fellow?"
 Tt did not seem worth while ex- blaming"
 "Now, you are complimentary! You did not care if I did think poorly of your taste?"
 She hesitated. Tt is not that I did not care" she faltered. But what you couldn't see for yourself it didn't seem useful to tell you" 1 It occurred to him to wonder wheth- CT her slightly unusual use of words ! which was n constant source of pleas ure and amusement to him. would an- noy her aunt. In his opinion when she lost 1t she would have lost one Of her charms.
 "Then you did care?" he asked
 "Yes." she said simply.
 "Why?"
 She turned to him with little depre- eating smile and gesture. You dissect me so! As though you were a scientist and specimen Sometimes 1t seems to me cold blooded!"
 And you don't like it?'
 Tt is rather interesting to hear what you will be asking next-and what the things are which you wish to find out"
 Tt flatters the egotism of most wo- men if a man asks them to talk about themselves"
 Are women more egotistic than men? Ponder of talking about them selves?
 She asked it so simply. evidently seeking only to be instructed.
 What is your own idea about itT' he asked.
 There 1t is again-dissecting me un- til feel myself in shreds!' , They both laughed and he could not drag his eyes from the sweetness of her face when she smiled.
 Do you know" she said amusingly. ''I have often wondered when Abe has protested to me of his love- and when have read of 1t, what 1t is like. I have never loved any one. There seems to he distinction between love and affection. Affection is said to be much mihier. don't even know what it is to feel affection" The confession seemed almost ap- palling
 Suddenly she stopped short in the path and looked at him. "All my life" she said earnestly. 'T have had a heart hunger that I have never understood did not know what it was I hun gered and thirsted for-and what the great 'S-lste places in my soul meant But noE-I believe,- she heSitated. a troubled light in her eyes. as though she groped in dark. confusion; '~I be- lieve bezfn to understand This strange feeling have had toward you ever since you frzt came here-even before we had ever spoken together- I believe 1t is-afection--
 Kinross gazed at her speIIbound Was she not diverti1gl
 You dear chIId-s be said. taking her