Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19

the graceful sweep Of her dark, close-fitting
dress, the white fringe of dainty under
skirt. the small foot, neatly booted, peeping
from beneath, and the glimpse of round,
white throat. rendered even fairer by the
creamy lace encircling 1t. Against the
| darker background of green shrubs she re-
sembled picture entitled Dreaming"
| which he dimly recalled lingering before in
some famous eastern gallery, and his heart
beat faster In wonderment at what the
mystic dream might be. To draw back I'M
observed was impossible, even had he pos
.sessed strength of will sufficient to make
the attempt, nor would words of easy greet
| Ing come to his relief. He could merely
worship silently before sacred shrine.
| 1t was thus she glanced up and saw him
with startled eyes. her hands unclasping.
her cheeks rose-colored.
Lieut.. Brant you here?' she exclaimed,
| speaking as If his presence seemed unreal.
What strange miracles an idle thought
can work.
Thoughts, have heard he replied,
coming toward her with head uncovered,
will sometimes awaken answers through
vast distances Of time and space. AS my
thought was with you 1 may be altogether
to blame for thus arousing your own. From
the expression Of your face I supposed you
dreaming"
She smiled. her eyes uplifted for single
instant to his own. 1T was rather thought
things in life more sweet. 1 know not
whether It is the common gift of all minds,
but my day-dreams are almost more to me
than my realities"
First It was moods. and now dreams {"
He seated himself comfortably at her feet
You would cause me to believe you a most
impractical. person. Miss Naida.'
She laughed frankly. that ripping peal OF
unaffected merriment which sounded so like
music to his ears. "If that were only true,
I am sure I should be most happy, for 1t
has been my fortune so far to conjure up
only pleasure through day-dreaming-the
Atv,rxa r 11,,rr 81,
own then. But II you mean, as I suspect,
that I do not enjoy the dirt and drudgery
of life. then my plea will have to be guilty
l. Of course. grant their necessity. yet ap-
parently there are plenty who find them
well worth while and there should be other
work for those who aspire. Back of what
i you term practical some one has said there
Is always dream. first conception. in
that sense / choose to be dreamer"
And not SO unwise a choice, II your
dreams only tend toward results" He sat
looking into her animated face. deeply puz-
zied by both words and actions. II cannot
my meeting with Mr.. Hampton. Is this an
other sign Of your impractical mind7"
II should say rather the opposite, for
had not even supposed 1t concerned me-"
Indeed. That presents a vastly different
view from the one given US an hour since
The distinct impression was then conveyed
to both our minds that you were greatly
distressed regarding the matter. Is 1t pos
IT? Certainly notr' and she made no at
tempt to hide her indignation. What can
you meanf'
He hesitated an instant In his reply, feel
Ing that possibly he was treading upon thin
ice. But her eyes commanded q direct an
swer. and he yielded to them.
1--WE were Informed that you experienced
great anxiety for fear we might auarreI-so
great. indeed. that you had confided your
troubles to another"
ITO whom?"
Miss Spencer. She came to us ostensibly
In your name. and as q peacemaker"
A moment she sat gazing directly at him,
then she laughed softly. !
why. how supremely ridiculous; I 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
thing. You had informed me that your
mission was one Of peace. and he pledged
me his word not to permit any quarrel I
had the utmost confidence in you both"
How. then. did she even know of our
meeting?
81 am entirely In the dark. as mystifed as
you" she acknowledged. frankly. 'for It
has certainly never been o habit with me to
betray the confidence Of my friends, and