Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-04

been near me all this evening, You
don't know how much / have missed
you. l was just saying TO Mr.. Mohat
or IL might have ben Mr.. Mcneil
that was completely tired out and
wished you were here to sit out this
dance with me"
Wynkoop blushed and forgot the
errand which had brought him there.
but she remained sufficiently cool and
observant. She touched him gently
with her hand.
who is that fine-looking young Off
cerg" she questioned softly. yet with
out venturing to remove her glance
from his face.
Mr.. Wynkoop started. "Oh. exactly;
I had forgotten my mission. He has
requested an introduction" He drew
the lieutenant forward. Lieut.. Brant,
Miss Spencer"
The officer bowed. a slight shadow
of disappointment in his eyes. The
lady was unquestionably attractive,
her face animated. her reception most
cordial. yet she was not the maiden of
the dark. fathomless eyes and the
such a pleasure 20 meet you" ex-
claimed Miss Spencer. do you know.
lieutenant. that actually have never
before had the privilege OF meeting
an officer Of the army. Your appear
ance supplies the one touch of color
that was lacking to make the picture
complete. Mr.. Mohat has done so
much TO make me realize the breadth
of western experience, and now. l do
so hope. you will some time find oppor-
tunity TO recount to me some OF your
army exploits"
The lieutenant smiled. Most glad
ly; yet just now. confess, the music
invites me, and l am sufficiently bold
to request your company upon the
floor"
Miss Spencer sighed regretfully.
why, really, Lieut.. Brant, 1 scarcely
see how 1 possibly can. / have al
ready refused so many this evening,
and now 1 almost believe I must be
under direct obligation TO some one
OF those gentlemen. Still" hesitating-
~, your being a total stranger here
.
Monat. Mr.. Mcneil, MT Mason. surely
you will grant me release this Once2"
There was no verbal response 10 the
appeal, only an uneasy movement. but
her period Of waiting was extremely
brief.
oh, 1 knew you would: you have
all been so kind and considerate."
She arose. resting her daintlly gloved
hand upon Brants blue sleeve, her
pleased eyes smiling up conhdingly
into his. Then with a charming smile,
oh, Mr.. Wynkoop. l have decided to
claim your escort to supper. You do
not care2"
Wynkoop bowed. his face like a
poppy.
Il thought you would not mind oblig-
ing me in this. Come. lieutenant"
Miss Spencer, when she desired to
be. was a most vivacious companion,
and always an excellent dancer. Brant
easily succumbed TO her sway, and be
came. for the time being. a victim to
her charms. To Brant the experience
brought back fond memories OF his
last cadet ball at the Point. and he
hesitated 20 break the mystic spell
with abrupt questioning. Curiosity,
however. finally mastered his reti-
cence.
Miss Spencer" he asked. may |
inquire II you possess such a phenome.
non as a star pupl?"
The lady laughed merrily. but her
expression became somewhat puzzled.
Really, what a very strange question!
Why. not unless It might be little
Sammy Worren; he can certainly use
the longest words l ever heard OF out
side a dictionary. Why, may / ask
Are you especially interested in prod
igies?'
"Oh. not IN the least; certainly not
in little Sammy Worrell. The person
/ had reference to chances to be a
young woman. having dark eyes. and a
wealth of auburn hair. We met quite
by accident. and the sole clew / now
possess to her identity is a claim she
advanced 10 being your star nupil."
Miss Spencer sighed somewhat re-
gretfully. and her eyes fell. Il fear
it must have been Nadia. from your
description. But she Is scarcely more
than a child. Surely. lieutenant, 1t
cannot be possible that you have be-
come interested in herr"
He smiled pleasantly. AT least Is,
is she nOt2 ] was somewhat impressed
with her evident originality and hoped
to renew our slight mountaineering
here in more formal manner. She is
your star pupil, then?"
Why, she is not really In my school
at all, but l outline the studies she
pursues at home. and lend her such
books as I consider best adapted for
her reading. She is such a strange
grill"
Indeed? She appeared to me TO be
extremely unconventional, with a de-
cided tendency for mischief. Is that
your mcaaing?"
Partially. She manages 10 do
everything in a different way from
other people. Her mind seems pecu-
liaTly independent, and she is so I'M
reservedly western in her ways and
language. But / was referring rather
to her taste In books-she devours
everything"
You mean as a STUDENT"
sgNVoT1 -.