Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-10-18

anu tnen StrOlleO Slowly up inc Ndiey,
his own affairs soon completely for.
gotten in the beauty Of nearby hills
beneath the golden glory Of the morn
ing sun. Once he paused and looked
back upon ugly Glencaid, dingy and
forlorn even at that distance; then he
crossed the narrow stream by means
of a convenient log, and clambered up
the somewhat steep bank. A heavy
fringe of low bushes chung close along
the edge of the summit, but plainly
defined path led among their intri-
cacies. He pressed his way through,
coming into glade where sunshine
flickered through the overarching
branches Of great trees, and the grass
was green and short, like that of a
well-kept lawn.
AS Brant emerged from the under
brush he suddenly beheld fair vision
of young womanhood resting on the
grassy bank just before him. She was
partially reclining, as If startled by
his unannounced approach, her face
turned toward him, one hand grasping
an open book, The other shading her
eyes from the glare of the sun. Some
thing in the graceful poise, the piquant,
uplifted face, the dark gloss Of heavy
hair, and the unfrightened gaze held
him speeches. until the picture had
been impressed forever upon his men,
DRY. He beheld a girl on the verge Of
womanhood, fair of skin, the red glow
of health flushing her cheeks, the lips
parted In surprise, the sleeve fallen
back from one white, rounded arm,
the eyes honest, sincere, mysterious.
She recognized him with glance, and
her lips closed as she remembered
how and when they had met before.
But there was no answering recollec-
ton within his eyes, only admiration
nothing chung about this Nadia to
remind him Of neglected waif Of
the garrison. She read all this in his
face, and the lines about her mouth
changed quickly into a slightly quiz
zical smile, her eyes Frightening.
you should at least have knocked,
sir" she yentured, sitting up on the
grassy bank, the better to confront
him, before intruding thus unin-
vited."
He lifted his somewhat dingy scout
ing hat and bowed humbly.
81 perceived no door giving warning
that l approached such presence, and
the first shock Of surprise was per-
haps as great to me as to you. Yet,
now that l have blundered thus far,
beseech that | be permitted to venture
upon yet another STEP"
She sat looking at him, a trim, SOL
dierly figure, his face young and pleas
ant to gaze upon, and her dark eyes
sensibly softened.
What STEP"
ITO tarry for a moment beside the
divinity Of this wilderness"
She laughed with open frankness,
her white teeth sparkling behind the
red, parted lips.
Perhaps you may, if you will first
consent to be sensible" she said, with
returning gravity; and l reserve the
right to turn you away whenever you
begin to talk or act foolish. II you
accept these conditions, you may sit
down."
He seated himself upon the soft
grass ledge, retaining the hat in his
hands. You must be an odd sort of a
girl" he commented, soberly, not to
welcome an honest expression of ad
miration."
"Oh, was that it? Then l duly bow
my acknowledgment. | took your
words for one of those SILLY compli
ments by which men believe they
honor women. | am not baby, MOI
am l seeking amusement"
He glanced curiously at her book
And yet you condescend to read love
Stories" he said, smiling. 81 expected
to discover treatise on philosophy
Il read whatever l chance to get my
hands on, here in Glencaid," she re
torted, lust as l converse with who
ever comes along. | am hopeful Of
some day discovering rare gem hid
den in the midst of the trash. l an
yet young"
You are indeed young" he said
quietly, and with some of life's les
sons still to learn. One is that frank
ness is not necessarily f1ippancy, mol
honesty harshness. However, if yor
will offer me a topic worthy the occa
sion, in either philosophy, science, Of
, literature, will endeavor to feed YOU
mind"
She uplifted her innocent eyes de
: murely to his face. You are so kind
| l am deeply interested just now in thu
/ Japanese conception Of the transmit
! grafton of souls"
, How extremely fortunate! /
/ chances to be my favorite theme, bu
7 my mental processes are peculiar, anC
! you must permit me to work up to
7 ward it somewhat gradually. For in
! stance, as question leading that way
: how, in the incarnation of this world
= do you manage to exist in such
, hole of place?-that is, provided yol
really reside here"
r why, l consider this a most de
S lightful nook"
I my reference was to Glencaid."