Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-05-22

avoided me. Mr.
"Oniv that ,canted Siward?" she
uou." askedlanguidly
"Well. upon my word" he said, with
q touch of irritation.
"Oh, you are. so dreadfully literal!'
she shrugged, brushing her straight,
sensitive nose with the pink blossom.
81 only said 1t to give you chance. Ii
you are going to be stupid. good
night" But she made no movement
to 60. Eyes, then; have avoided you,
and it doesn't become you to ask why"
Because kissed you?'
"You hint at the true reason so chiy-
alrously, so delicately," she said, that
scarcely recognize It" The cool
mockery of her voice and the warm
quick color tinting neck and face were
incongruous. He thought, with slow
surprise, that she was not yet letter
perfect in her role of the material trl-
umphant over the spiritual.
81 am sorry came" she SAID re-
Aectively. "You don't know why
came, do you? Sheer loneliness, Mr.. 81
ward. There Is something OF the cnlld
In me still, you see. 1t seems my rate
to pass my life in bidding you GOOD
night" she said, Strengthening UP ana
turning to him with the careless laugh
ter touching mouth and eyes again.
Then, resting her weight on one hand,
her smooth white shoulder rounded be-
side her cheek, she looked at him out
Of humorous eyes.
"What Is it that women find so at
tractive In you? The mans expert
enced insouciance? The boys uncon-
scious cynicism? The mystery OF your
self sufficiency? The faulty humanity
in you? The youth in you already
showing traces Of wear that hint or
future scars? What will you be at
thirty-five, at forty? Ah," she added
softly, what are you now? For L
don't know, and you cannot tell me II
you would"
"What counts with yOu?" he asked
after q moment.
Counts? How"
ain your affections. What prepos-
sesses you"
She laughed audaciously. "Your
traits-some of them-all Of them that
you reveal You must be aware OF
that much already considering every
thing
One slim white hand held a rose
against her cheek; the other lay idly
on her knee, fresh and delicate as a
fallen petal, and he laid both hands
over it and lifted it between them.
"NIr. Siward, I am afraid this Is be-
coming a habit with you" The gay
mockery was not quite genuine, the
curve Of lips too sensitive for voice
so lightly cynical.
He smiled, bending there, consider
ing her hand between his, and after q
moment her muscles relaxed and bare
round arm and hand lay abandoned to
him.
"Quite fawless-perfect," he said
aloud to himself.
"Do you-read handsY
"Vaguely." He touched the smooth
palm. Long life, clear mind and
he laughed-"heart supreme over rea
son! There is written white lie, bu
a pretty one"
at is no lie."
She suddenly flushed and attempted
to close her hand, doubling the thumb
over. There was little half hearted
struggle, freeing one Of his arms
which fell, settling about her slender
waist; a silence, a breathless moment
and he had kissed her. Her Tips were
warm this time.
She recovered herself, avoiding his
eyes, and moved backward! shielding
her face with pretty upfung elbows
out turned. II told you it was be
coming habit with y6u!" The lou6
beating Of her pulses married her voice
"Must l establish a dead line every
time / commit the folly Of being alone
with your
tPIl draw that line" he said, tax
ing her in his arms.
I'll beg you will draw 1t quickly
Mr.. Siward."
81 do; it passes through your hear
and miner
"Is-do you mean declaration
again? You are compromising your
self, you know. I warn you that yol
are committing yourself"
$50 are you. Lopk at mel!
In his arms, her own arms pressed
against his breast, resisting, she raise'
her splendid youthful eyes. ant
through and through her shot pulse OF
pulse until every nerve seemed to b
aquiver. iss-
awhile I'm still sane" he said, witt
a dry catch in his throat, before tel
you that love you look at me-"
81 will IL you WISH" she said. with
trembling smile, "but 1t is useless"