Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-08

nor heard his approach. m !. he STOP
ped in perp1exIty- He had framed
dozen speeches for her ears yet now
he could do no more than stand and
gaze, his heart in his eyes. And it
was q vision to enchain. to hold lips
speeches.. She was seated with UNI
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 viii sufficient to make the attempt,
nor would words of easy greeting
come to his relief. He could merely
worship silently as before a 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 if his presence
seemed unreal What strange mir
acles an idle thought can work."
Thoughts, 1 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 / may be altogether to blame
for thus arousing your own From
the expression of your face, 1 sup.
posed you dreaming
She smiled, her eyes uplifted for
single instant to his own 1T was
rather thought just merging into
dream. and there are few things in
e.
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 comfort
me to believe you a most impractical
person, Miss Nadia
IF that were only true, am sure
should be most happy, for it has
been my fortune so far to conjure up
only pleasure through day-dreaming
the things 1 like and long for be-
come my very own then. But if you
mean, as 1 suspect, that 1 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 dream, a
| first conception. In that sense /
| choose to be a dreamer
And not so unwise choice, if
| your dreams only tend toward re-
SUITS He sat looking into her ami
mated face, deeply puzzled by both
words and actions. Il cannot help
| noticing that you avoid all reference
to my meeting with Mr. Hampton Is
| this another sign of your impractical
| mind?"
| Il should say rather the opposite,
| for l had not even supposed it con-
cerned me-"
| indeed That presents 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 distressedsFe-
garding the matter. Is it possible you
can have been acting again?"
Il? Certainly mott" and she na41te
no attempt to hide her indignat9
What do Eou mean?" NJ
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
I'VE were Informed that you expe
rienced great anxiety for fear we
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 a thing. You
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
tilted as you," she acknowledged
frankly, 'sfor it has certainly never
been a habit with me to betray the
confidence of my friends, and learn
ed long since not to confide secrets tt
Miss Spencer"
| Apparently neither cared to discus.
the problem longer, yet he remained
silent considering those questions
which might decide his fate.
/ You speak of your confidence IL
Us both," he said, slowly. ITO me
the complete trust you repose in Mr.
Hampton is scarcely comprehensive