, 1908-08-20

ho"F IL ~ NAh' "phAA
do you manage to exist in such a
hole of a place?-that is, provided you
really reside here"
why, | consider this a most de-
lightful nook"
my reference was, to Glencaid."
ooh! Why. l live from within, not
without. Mind and heart, not environ
ment, make life, and my time is occu-
pied most congenially. ] am being
faithfully nutured on the Presbyterian
catechism, and also trained in the
graces of earthly society. These alter.
nate. thus preparing me for whatever
may happen in this world or the next"
His race pictured bewilderment, but
also a determination to %persevere AN
interesting combination. i admit. But
from our appearance this cannot al.
ways have pee your hume?"
"Oh, thank l believe not al
ways; but l wonder at your being able
to discern my superiority to these sur
%roundings. And do you know you
questioning is becoming quite per
sonal? Does that yield me an equal
p~rivilege?"
He bowed, perhaps relieved at thus
permitting her to the initia.
tive, and rested lazily back upon the
grass, hi eyes intently studying her
face.
81 suppose from your clothes you
must be a soldier. What is that figure
Z On you hat for?"
THE number of my regiment, the
Seventh cavalry"
Her glance was a bit disdainful as
she coolly surveyed him from head to
foot. 81 should imagine hat a strong,
capable appearing fellow like you
might do much better than that. There
is so much work in the world worth
doing, and so much better pay
What do you mean? Isn't a sol
dier's life a worthy one?'
"Oh, yes, of course, in a way. We
have to have soldiers, l suppose; but
if l were a man I'd hate to waste all
my life tramping around at SIS 6
month"
He smothered what sounded like a
rough ejaculation, gazing into her de
mure eyes as if he strongly suspected
a joke hid in their depths. 'Do-do
you mistake me for an enlisted MANI"
"Oh, l didn't know; you said o
were a soldier, and that's what / al
way heard they got. l am so glad if
they give you more. l was only going
to say that l believed I could get you
a good place in McCarthy's store If
you wanted it. He pays SOS and his
clerk has just left"
Brant stared at her with open
mouth, totally unable for the moment
to decide whether or not that limo
cent, sympathetic face masked mis-
chief. Before he succeeded in regain
ing confidence and speech, she had
risen to her feet, holding back her
skirt with one land.
Really, l must CO." she announced
calmly, drawing back toward the slight
opening between the bushes. mo
doubt you have done fully as well as
you could, considering your position
in life; but his has proved another
4 disappointment. You have fallen, far,
very far, below my ideal. Good-by."
He sprang ir -antly erect, his cheeks
flushed. "P- don't go without a
further wor. We seem predestined
\ t o misunderstood. I am even willing
to confess myself a fool in the hope
of some time being able to convince
you otherwise. You have not even
told me that you live here; nor do l
know our name"
She shook her head positively, re-
n pressed merriment %darkening her eyes
and %wrinkling the corners Of her
mouth. 1T would be highly improper
to introduce myself to a stranger
we Presbyterians never do that"
"But de you feel no curiosity as to
who | may be-"
"Why, not in the least; the thought
~ s ridiculous. How very conceited you
must be to imagine such a thing"
4 He was not a man easily daunted,
nor did he recall any previous EN-
barrassment in the presence of a
young woman But now he confronted
\ something utterly unique; those quiet
eyes seemed to look straight through
him. His voice faltered sadly, yet
succeeded in asking: Are we, then,
never to meet again? Am ! to under
4 stand this to be YOU wish"
She laughed. Really, sir, am not
aware that have the slightest desire
in the matter. | have given 1t no
thought, but I presume h possibility
of our meeting again depends largely
upon yourself, and the sort of society
you keep. Surely you cannot expect
that / would seek such an opportu-
nity?"
He bowed humbly. you mistake
my purpose. ! merely meant to ask
If there was not some possibility OF
a,,u a,r,su o@-,inn fnunthnr GnpiAllN-tn
the presence of mutual n
"Oh, I scarcely think so; do not re-
member ever having met an soldiers
at the social functions here-eXcept'
ing officers. We are extremely ex-