The Rich Hill tribune., 1908-01-02

/ WNa tutoring AItNiN WNNiNNtl ANNWENh
came uppermost. Outwardly she pic.
tured the gay and merry spirit OF the
night. yet to BraBt. already observing
her with the jealousy Of lover she
appeared distrait and restless. her az,
fectation of abandon a mere mask to
her feelings. Perhaps these things
might have passed unnoted but for
their contrast with the late conhden.
tial chat
He could not reconcile this sudden
change with what he believed Of her.
Il was not carried out with the prac.
/ ticed art OF one accustomed to deceit
There must be something real inau-
encing her action These misgivings
hurdened his mind even as he swung
lightly with her to the music and they
talked together In little snatches.
The last two waltzes ended. they
walked slowly through the scattering
thrOng, he striving vainly to arouse
her to the former independence and
intimacy Of speech. Suddenly they
came face to face with Mrs Herndon.
and Brant felt the girls arm twitch.
4 have been looking everywhere
for you. Nadia" Mrs. Herndon said. a
slight complaint in her voice. we
were going home"
Naida's cheeks Redeemed painfully.
/ Il am so sorry II have kept you
waiting" her words spoken with
/ rush. "but--but. Lieut. Brant was in.
tending to accompany me. We we're
Just starting for the cloakroom."
"Oh. indeed Mrs. Herndon's ex-
preston was noncommittal. while her
eyes surveyed the lieutenant
with your permission. OF course"
he said.
Il hardly think have any need to
interfere"
They separated. the younger people
| walking slowly. silently toward the
| door. He held her arm, assisting her
| to descend the stairway. his lips mur-
| muring a few commonplaces. to which
she scarcely returned even monosyl-
| Liable replies, although she frequently
flashed shy glances at his grave face.
/ Both realized that some explanation
! was forthcoming. yet neither was quite
| prepared to force the issue.
I have no wraps at the hotel" she
said, as he attempted to turn that
| way. That was a lie also: let IS
walk directly down the road"
He INDUCED in no comment. his
eyes perceiving a pathetic pleading in
her upturned face Suddenly there
came to him belief that the girl was
crying; he could feel the slight tremOr
Of her form against his own. He
glanced furtiyely at her. only to catch
the glitter OF a falling tear. To her
evident distress. his heart made In
| stant and sympathetic response. With
all respect influencing the action. his
hand closed warmly over the smaller
one on his sleeve.
Little girl" he said. forgetting the
shortness Of their acquaintance In the
deep feeling OF the moment. tell me
what the trouble IS"
Il suppose you think me an awful
creature for saying that" she blurted
out. without looking up. 1t wasn't
/ ladylike or nice, but-but ] simply
couldn't help Il, Lieut. Brant"
You mean your sudden determine.
| tion 10 carry me home with you?' he
/ asked. relieved to think this might
prove the entire difficulty. Don't let
that worry you. Why. ! am simply re-
| iolced at being permitted to go, DO
/ you know. ] wanted 10 request the
| privilege all the time we were dancing
together. But you acted so differently
from when we were beneath the vines
that J actually lost my nerve
She looked up and he caught a heet-
ing glimpse into her unveiled eyes.
Il did not wish you 10 ask me-"
What" He stopped suddenly.
why, then. did you make such an an.
nouncement TO Mrs. Herndon?"
"Oh. that was different" she ex-
planned. uneasily 4 had 10 do that
I had 20 trust you 20 help me out but
but / really wanted to go home
alone"
He swept his unbelieving eyes
around over the deserted night sceae.
not knowing what answer 10 return 10
50 strange an avoWsi WAS that what
caused you 20 appear so distant TO me
IN the hall so vastly different from
] WAAA YOU uAu utfu heAnle
She nodded, but with her gaze stili
upon the ground.
Miss Nadia he said. IT would be
eowardly for me 10 attempt TO dodge
this issue between as is lt because
you do not Ike me?"
She looked up quickly the moon.
light revealing her flushed face
'Oh. no, no, you must never think
that. told you / was a girl OF moods :
under those vines / had one mood Ia
the hall another Cannot you under
stand2"
every little" he admitted, for am
more inclined TO believe you are the
possessor of a strong viii than that
you are swayed by moods. Listen. II
| thought that mere senseless mood
had caused your peculiar treatment OF
me tonight, l should feel justified in
Il II. H.