The Montgomery tribune., 1908-05-01
nor heard his approach, and he stop

dozen speeches for her ears, yet now
he could do no more than stand and
gaze, his heart in his eyes. And II
was a vision to enchain, to hold lips
speechless She was seated with un.
studied grace on the edge Of the bank,
her hands clasped about one knee, her
sweet face sobered by thought, her
eyes downcast, the long lashes plain.
ly outlined against the clear cheeks.
To draw back unobserved was impos-
sible, even had he possessed strength
Of will sufficient to make the attompt,
nor would words Of easy greeting
come to his relief He could merely
worship silently as before q sacred
shrine. It was thus she glanced up
and saw him with startled eyes, her
hands unclasping, her cheeks rose
colored.
Lieut.. Brant, you here| she ex.
claimed, speaking as II his presence
seemed unreal. What strange mir
acles an idle thought can work."
Thoughts, have heard" he re-
piled, coming toward her with head
uncovered, will sometimes awaken
answers through vast distances of
time and space. AS my thought was
with you I may be altogether to blame
for thus arousing your own. From
the expression Of your face, sup.
posed you dreaming"
She smiled, her eyes uplifted for q
single instant to his own. 1T was
rather thought just merging into
dream, and there are few things in
life more sweet. I know not whether
it Is the common gift of all minds, but
my day-dreams are almost more to
me than my realities"
First 1t was moods, and now
dreams" He seated himself comfort.
ably at her feet. "You would cause
me to believe you a most impractical
person, Miss Nadia"
"If that were only true, am sure
I should be most happy, for 1t has
been my fortune so far to conjure up
only pleasure through day-dreaming
the things / like and long for be-
come my very own then. But If you
mean, as l suspect, that I do not en-
joy the dirt and drudgery Of life, then
my plea will have to be guilty. Back
of what you term practical some one
has said there is always a dream,
first conception. In that sense
choose to be dreamer"
"And not so unwise choice, II
your dreams only tend toward re-
suits" He sat looking into her ami.
mated face, deeply puzzled by both
words and actions. II cannot help
noticing that you avoid all reference
to my meeting with Mr.. Hampton. ID
this another sign of your impractical
mind?"
'I should say rather the opposite,
for had not even supposed it con-
cerned me-"
Indeed! That presents a vastly diff
ferent view from the one given us an
hour since. The distinct impression
was then conveyed to both our minds
that you were greatly distressed re-
garding the matter. Is it possible you
can have been acting again?"
81? Certainly not!" and she made
no attempt to hide her indignation.
What do you mean?"
He hesitated an instant in HE re-
ply, feeling that possibly he was
treading upon thin ice. But her eyes
commanded a direct answer, and he
yielded to them.
1--WE were informed that you expe.
rienced great anxiety for fear we
might quarrel-so great, indeed, that
you had confided your troubles to an
other"
ITO whom?"
Miss Spencer. She came to us os-
tensibly in your name, and as peace.
maker"
For moment she sat gazing direct.
ly at him, then she laughed softly.
why, how supremely ridiculous;
can hardly believe it true, only your
face tells me you certainly are NOT
in play. Lieut.. Brant, 1 have never
even dreamed of such thing. Yor
had informed me that your mission
was one of peace, and he pledged me
his word not to permit any quarrel.
| had utmost confidence in you both"
How, then, did she even know Of
our meeting?"
Il am entirely in the dark, as mys.
titled as you," she acknowledged,
frankly, "for 1t has certainly never
been a habit with me to betray the
confidence Of my friends. and 1 learn
ed long since not to confide secrets to
Miss Spencer"
| Apparently neither cared to discuss
the problem longer, yet he remained
silent considering those questions
which might decide his fate.
you speak of your confidence in
us both," he said, slowly. ITO me
the complete trust you repose in Mr..
Hampton is scarcely comprehensive.
Do you truly believe in his reform?"
Certainly. Don't you?"
The direct return question served
to nettle and confuse him. 1T is,
perhaps, not my place to say, as my
future happiness does not directly de