Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-10


and her steady brown eyes, that be
found most attractive-mos disquiet-
ingly attractive. indeed
She laughed softly MS she saw him
there
"Deserterv' sue tainted. You and
your pose of solitude are getting ON
Mrs. Ilarvey's nerves. can see H.
Really, I'm beginning to believe you
eonceited."
Duncan drew mp chair. Wont you
at here for q minute and watch these
mountains with me?" said he. "rm--
Pm He paused.
You're whati" she prompted.
Lonely" he finished, with such EVIL
dent sincerity In his voice that the girl
felt a little pang OF remorse.
II presume you find us stupid" said
she, sitting down beside him. After
such crowded life as yours has been
all this must he very tame"
Tanner he said. with sudden earn
estness. Tame? Oh, heavens. nor
"You give us that impression any
way"
"Do ~ said he. He leaned forward
In his chair. do you know how
feel here? VIII you respect my secret
II l tell your"
She nodded.
"Well. then, like fish out Of water
I'm afraid-honestly and actually
afraid. You see, all my life have
travelled. I've been into the out Of the
way places of the earth. haven't had
time TO cultivate any of the g-aces Of
civilization. All in all. I'm barba-
rian, more or less.
1--WE looked forward to this--to this
coming here to Cousin Mary's and
meeting all these people OF your world
more than / can tell you. But 1t has
taught me something about myself.
Much as | wish fitted In this niche,
I'm impossible. AS participator In
social functions In the accepted sense
Of the term I'm hopeless
The girl looked at him with a quiet
smile.
"I'll take back that remark about
your conceit and ask your forgiveness
for II. too" said she. ooh. you boyi
You great, big hearted, simple boy.
You envy us In this silly. meaningless
life Of ours--you who have been doing
somethingl l wish you might know
how envy that life OF yoursv'
do you mean that = reallyf" he
cried.
ut is worth a thousand lives like
ours"
but l am isolated. ] am alone.
have cut myself of from all that
really want. / want to be like these
other men here. l want to talk to you
az they do-to be as unafraid Of you
as they are"
THAT? Oh, poohr' she laughed.
'sTell me, when you GO into an un-
known country what do you do before
you try TO travel it-take guide. don't
your"
Eyes"
swell, that's what you must do here.
Take guide. Then I'll warrant In
week--in o day-you'll know The ropes
from beginning TO end"
"a guide" he repeated musingly.
"Yes. that's II. / must take guide to
show me into civilization. My work
is done now. want to live in my
own country: therefore must have
that guide. I-I-there Is only one
want, and / want her for life" be
stammered, but he looked a. her with
no uncertain light In his eyes II am
presumptuous. / know. am nothing
but barbarian, as l told you, but per-
haps with the guide 1t might be differ
emit"
He turned suddenly and caught her
hand In his own. Can | have that
guideT' he asked unsteadily
The girl arose Her face was scar
let, but her eyes were looking into his.
"Your first lesson win 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 murmurcd. II loved
you from the very first you were So
so unspoiled by what I'm going TO
guide you into"