The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-10-17

FOul otrlA pupil IhCA-
Why, she is not really in my school
at all, but | outline the studies she
3ursues at home, and lend her such
books as l consider best adapted for
Ger reading. She is such a strange
yirl!"
Indeed? She appeared to me TO be
extremely unconventional, with a de
cided tendency for mischief Is that
your meaning?"
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 l was referring rather
TO her taste in bOoks-she devours
everything"
You mean as a STUDENT"
We'll, yes, l suppose SO; at least
she appears to possess the faculty of
absorbing every bit of information,
like a sponge. Sometimes she actual
~ startles me with her odd questions.
| really believe Mr.. Wynkoop seeks to
avoid meeting her, she has shocked
him so frequently in religious mat
Jers."
Does she make light of his faith? ?"
"Oh, no, not that exactly, at least it
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 thoughtfh.
This picture just drawn of the per
verse Nadia had not greatly lowered
her IN his estimation, although he felt
irstia stively that Miss Spencer was
not altogether pleased with his evi-
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 it to
me. We are room-mates, you know.
and consequently quite intimate, al
though she possesses many peculiar
characteristics which l 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, it was hardly his place 10 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 a few words the brief story
was frankly told and apparently
proved quite amusing to Miss Spencer.
"Oh, that was Nadia. beyond a
doubt" she exclaimed. with a laugh OF
satisfaction. 1T is all 50 characters
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 pause. they
slowly trayersed the room.
81 presume. then, she is not prs
ent?" he said, quietly.
Miss Spencer glanced into his face,
the grave tone making her apprehen-
siye that she might have gone too far
She was here earlier in the even
ing. but now that you remind me of it.
recall having noticed her of
It, really, lieutenant, it is no
/ 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 yexation. 1t is extremely close
in here, don't you think" she com
planned. And l was so careless as to
mislay my fan. | feel almost suffo-
Gated"
Did you leave it at home?" he ques-
toned. Possibly ] might discover a
substitute somewhere In the room"
oh, no; l would never think Of
troubling you to such an extent No
doubt this feeling Of lassitude Will
pass away shortly 1t vas very fool
ish Of me, but | left the fan with my
wraps at the hotel 1t can be recoy-
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 were 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. Guffy, the officer succeeded in
recovering the lost fan. and started to
return. Just without the hotel door,
under the confusing shadows OF the
wide porch, he came suddenly face to
face with a young woman, the unex-
pected encounter a mutual and embar-
RAISING surprise.
CHAPTER XIV.
An Unusual Girl.
The girl was without wraps, her
dress OF some light, heecy material
fitting her slender npurp axuufgftaIy