The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-03-19

Instructive and unthinking with him.
but understandable to her only through
books. thrilled her In a way that
would have amazed him if he had
dreamed Of it,
pleasant surprises?" she repeated
with timid questioning
You know I thought all along that
you We're in love with Abe
She did not answer at once as she
walked with her eyes on the path be-
fore her.
Il was aware that you paid me that
compliment" She presently spoke in Il
low voice.
For which I owe you an apology
1t was stupid Of me. And very unflat-
tering to your taste | admit"
The fact was he realized that his be
lief in her infatuation for Abe had
been the only thing in his knowledge
Of her that had seemed 10 put her on
a lower plane than the one on which
as Miss WOcott" she would hence
forth move The discovery OF her aver
sion To I've farmers son had placed her
| at bound Mt his side rs his equal in
! every sense. no longer an ignorant
, country damsel to be indulgentIy pat
| rOniZed by him and her aunt
why didn't yon tell me you despised
the fellow
at did not seem worth while ex-
planning"
"Now. you are cOmpimentary. You
did not care If | did think poorly Of
| your taste?"
She hesitated. at is not that I did
| not care" she faltered. "But what you
couldn't see for yourself 1t didn't seem
useful TO tell you"
It occurred to him to wonder wheth-
er her slightly unusual use Of words
| which was constant source Of pleas
| ure and amusement to him. would an
nOy her aunt. In his opinion when
she lost It she would have lost one OF
her charms.
'Then you did care?" he asked
Eyes" she said simply.
"Why"
She turned to him with little depre-
eating smile and gesture. You dissect
me So AS though you were scientist
and specimen. Sometimes it seems
to me cold blooded!"
"And you don't like it?''
"It is rather interesting to hear what
you will be asking neXt-and what the
things are which you wish to find out"
"It flatters the egOtism of most wo-
men if :; man asks them to talk about
themselves"
"Are women more egOtiStic than
men? Fonder of talking about them
seiyes!'
She asked it so simply. evidently
seeking only to be instructed.
What is your own idea about it2'
he asked.
There it is Misunderstanding ME un-
til l feel myself in shreds!'
They both laughed and he could not
drag his eyes from the sweetness OF
her face when she smiled.
"DO you know" she said arnusingiy.
II have often wondered when Abe has
protested to me of his love and when
I have read Of it, what it is like.
have never loved any one. There
seems to be distinction between love
and affection. Affection Z said to I've
much milder | don't even know what
1t is to feel Affection
The confession seemed almost ap-
palling.
Suddenly she stopped short In the
path and looked at him. "All my life
she said earnestly. Il have had heart
! hunger that have never understood
| l did not know what it was l hun
gered and thirsted fOr-and what the
great waste places in my soul meant.
But nOw-I believe" she heSitated, Il
troubled light in her eyes, as though
she groped in dark confusion; II be-
lieve | begin to understand. This
strange feeling have had toward you
ever since you first came here-even
before we had ever spoken together
l believe it is-affection."
Kinross gazed at her spellbound.
| Was she not diverting?
you dear child" he said, taking her
hand in his as though she were ten
years old instead of twenty, you like
me? And you find it strange feel
ing?"
AT times l have thought l must be
mad. l am thinking about you every
minute. I seem to have no other life
save in the thought OF you. 1t Is like
a possession. frenzy. The time while
you We're away was a midnight black
ness to me. Nothing seems to me
worth while except you. Is this" she
asked her voice trembling. "affectionT'
The blood surged to Kinross' face.
The girl loved him. He was the first
man who had crossed the path Of her
maidenhOOd. and he had come to her
as friend and Observation-Disclosures as
the fairy gOdmother-and the result
was inevitable. Her fancy was fired,
and she was in love 1t would not be
fair to take her seriously 1t was only
a case Of prOpinquity. She would out
grow it as soon us she met other men
and could form some standards of
measurement and comparison. Ones
first experiences of the divine fire did
not last 1t was merely preparation
for the more sane and reasonable love
Of comparative maturity.
To be continued next week.
----------------- ----