The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-03
CHAPTER XIX-Continued.

Lady Kitty, who found young men very
scarce about Donoyle. had been unable
70 resist being what she called kind to
the poor young man. Some people would
have called II flirting: but, as Lady Kitty
told herself, Of course he will understand
from the beginning that nothing can ever
come OF Il, and so he won't do or think
anything foolish Therefore. she argued.
II IS quite safe for me 20 be kind 20 him
and allow him 10 read me his poetry, and
show him the most beautiful WALKS, and
let him row me on the river. She fur
Their excused herself on the ground that
she simply must solve the puzzle as 70
whether II was Vsndraken she liked IN
Dare or Dare IN Vandraken. She never
use the name love even 10 herself,
which Is the masquerading way Of West
ern women; whereas, In the East, they
veil their faces and let their souls go
naked and unashamed.
On this particular Sunday the excuse
Kitty made to herself was that she want
ed TO ask him about the sermon; so she
took him for a walk along a terraced
path that ran through the forest, by the
side OF the river.
The mere fact that they walked so long
IN silence. without noticing It. should
have warned them that among the dap
pied sunshine OF the autumn woods they
walked on dangerous ground. OF course,
Il was the girl who broke the silence
81 wish you wouldn't preach such sad
sermons. Mr. Dare. II was very beau
tiful. but surely life is not so full OF trou-
be as all that: and I wish-I wish you
would not look at me so much when you
are preaching Why do you look at me
so much2" She looked up at him az she
asked her royal-blue eyes full OF other
questions.
Fabian breathed a little hard, summon
ing ell his forces OF self-control 20 the
help Of essential reticence. She could
read what she liked in his longing eyes.
but his pawned soul should not cry
aloud. They had come 10 a fallen tree,
which faced an opening in the forest. an
opening made 70 clear a view Of absO-
lutte perfection. On the right the forest
was unbroken, except by the gray towers
OF the castle, nearly mile away. Far
below them was the river. with the au-
tumnal woods Of the left bank reflected
in its mirror-like depths, till the woods
swept away from the river. following the
line OF hills. and gave place 10 the green
OF the fields undulating upward TO the
everlasting mountains-a world OF violet
and mauve. brooding IN mystery over the
lesser landscape.
Moved by a common impulse, they sat
down on the fallen tree. Il don't think
knew was looking at you, he answer
ed. II only knew I was thinking of you
as I tried TO describe heaven. II is the
existence Of perfect beings on this earth
which makes perfection a certainty some
where IN the universe. You know,
don't prepare my sermons, and hardly
remember what I say. but IL I preached
a beautiful sermon you were the text
and II It was sad, II was because I shall
always have the faSIlty OF understand
ing perfection. but never the Joy Of pos
sessing it-neither in this world nor the
next"
What makes you say that?' she
answered softly "why should your SOU
not know perfection, since II Is In tune
with II, and desires 1t so greatly?/ But
perhaps 1t is better to know II, and never
have It, than to have II and never know
it, as so many people do"
My soul!' he answered bitterly. your
lips. Lady Kitty. are too exquisite tc
mention such a thing as my soul You
said just now that life could not be 50
full OF trouble as my sermon suggested
but you don't know life. Lady Kitty
You have lived in a walled garden, shell.
tered from the storms Of existence. Never
stir out from the shelter of your per-
fumed garden, for life outside is full OF
horrible traps, and only the strong car
escape them"
How morbid you poetical people srer
Lady Kitty had almost reached out Q
sympathizing hand, when she remember
ed what her mother had said about his
dissipated look. She slightly drew away
and added. rather coldly: Il assure you
could 60 outside my walled garden
without stepping into mud puddles. One
can always resist temptation"
''Yes-the ordinary temptations Of the
world; the everyday sins we are warned
against in the nursery and at church
But there are awful powers Of evil, un-
heard Of undreamed Of" He hid his face
in his hands. then looked up at her i'm.
ploringly, muttering tensely. between
half-closed teeth: II don't care so much
what others think. but no mater what
people say, you must believe in mei'
IT want to. Fabian And this time
she did reach out her hand and lay II or
his arm. You can't think how I want
70. II I once believed that all the beauti-
full thoughts you have created in your
sermons and poems could come from out
of the mud. I would lose my faith in the
stars-and yet you spoke OF your owr
soul with horror I don't understand
l don't understand. Why can't you tell
me what Is on your mind?"
Because I don't understand myself. ex-
cept that I am IN someone's power.
can't tell you any more
You are morbid. As I said before
you are morbid. Fa-I mean Mr.. Dare
am sure II is nothing but too much self.
analysis, too much introspection. II you
don't give it up I viii stop being friends
with you-so there! To change the sub
ject'-she got up from the fallen tree
ARE you cub-hunting at Glenbeg to-mor.
row? Because II you are. we might ride
over to the meet together. 1 am walking
back to the castle alone. Good-by." AND