The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-12-03

ingly attractive, indeed.
She laughed softly as she saw him
there.
'Deserter!'' she tainted. 'You and
your pose of solitude are getting on
Mrs. Harvey's nerves. 1 can see 1t.
Really, Pm beginning to believe you
conceited."
Duncan drew up a chair. won't you
sit here for q minute and watch these
mountains with me?'' said he. "I'm-
Tm''- He paused.
You're what?" she prompted
Lonely he finished, with such EVIL
dent sincerity in his voice that the girl
felt little pang of remorse.
II presume you find us stupid" said
she, sitting down beside him. after
such q crowded life as yours has been
all this must be very tame"
Tanner he said, with sudden earn
estness. "Tame? Oh, heavens, no!''
'You give us that impression any
way"
"DO II" said he. He leaned forward
in his chair. EDO you know how
feel here? Will you respect my secret
If 1 tell your
She nodded.
"Well, then, like fish out Of water.
I'm afraid-honestly and actually
afraid. You see, all my life I have
travelled. I've been into the out Of the
way places of the earth. I haven't had
time to cultivate any of the graces of
civilization. All in all, I'm a barba
rian, more or less.
"I've looked forward to this-to this
coming here to Cousin Mary's and
meeting all these people Of your world
more than 1 can tell you. But it has
taught me something about myself.
Much as wish 1 fitted in this niche,
I'm impossible. AS q participator in
social functions in the accepted sense
of the term Pm hopeless
The girl looked at him with quiet
smile.
"TIl take back that remark about
your conceit and ask your forgiveness
for it, too," said she. "Oh, you boy!
You great, big hearted, simple boy!
You envy us in this silly, meaningless
life Of ours-you who have been doing
something! I wish you might know
how 1 envy that life of yours"
"Do you mean that - reallyw he
cried
eft is worth a thousand lives like
ours"
"But 1 am isolated. I am alone.
have cut myself off from al that
really want. I want to be like these
other men here. want to talk to you
as they do--to be as unafraid Of you
as they are"
"That? Oh, poohr' she laughed
'"Tell me, when you go into an IN
known country what do you do before
you try to travel it-take guide, don't
your?
Eyes"
"Well, that's what you must do here.
Take a guide. Then I'll warrant in
week-in day-you'll know the ropes
from beginning to end"
"a guide" he repeated musingly.
"Yes that's it. I must take guide to
show me into civilization. Ny work
is done now. I want to live in my
own country; therefore l must have
that guide. I-I-there is only one l
want, and I want her for life,' he
stammered, but he looked at her with
no uncertain light in his eyes. 81 am
presumptuous, l know I am nothing
but barbarian, as told you, but per-
haps with the guide it might be differ
ent"
He turned suddenly and caught her
hand in bis own. Can l have that
guide?" he asked unsteadily.
The girl arose. Her face was scar
let, but her eyes were looking into his.
"Your first 'Hsson will be In bridge"
he said. ''Come in and I'll teach
you"
But Duncan caught her in his arms
and held her fast.
eyes, DEAR" she murmured. II loved
you from the very first, you were So
so unspoiled by what I'm going to
guide you into"