Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-02-05

lips utterlng freely Whatever thought
came uppermost. Outwardly she pic
tured the gay and merry spirit of the
night, yet to Brant, already observing
her with the jealousy of lover, she
appeared distract and restless, her af-
fectation of abandon mere mask to
her feelings. Perhaps these things
might have passed unnoted but for
their contrast with the late confiden-
tial chat.
He could not reconcile this sudden
change with what he believed of her.
1t was not carried out with the prac-
ticed art of one accustomed to deceit.
There must be something real influ-
encing her action These misgivings
burdened his mind even as he swung
lightly with her to the music, and they
talked together in little snatches.
The last two waltzes ended, they
walked slowly through the scattering
throng, he striving vainly to arouse
her to the former independence and
intimacy of speech. Suddenly they
came face to face with Mrs. Herndon,
and Brant felt the girls arm twitch.
II have been looking everywhere
| for you, Naida," Mrs. Herndon said,
| slight complaint in her voice. I'VE
were going home"
Naida's cheeks redeemed painfully.
Il am so sorry if l have kept you
waiting" her words spoken with,
| rush, "but-but, Lieut.. Brant was in
tending to accompany me. We were
| just starting for the cloakroom."
"Oh, indeed" Mrs. Herndon's eX-
preston was noncommittal, while her
| eyes surveyed the lieutenant
With your permission, of course"
he said.
ct hardly think I have any need to
interfere"
| They separated, the younger people
walking slowly, silently toward the
| door. He held her arm, assisting her
to descend the stairway, his lips MUIR
muring few commonplace, to which
she scarcely returned even monosyl-
| Liable replies, although she frequently
flashed shy glances at his grave face.
Both realized that some explanation
was forthcoming, yet neither was quite
prepared to force the issue.
Il have no wraps at the hotel" she
said, as he attempted to turn that
way. That was a lie also; let IS
walk directly down the road"
He INDUCED in no comment, his
eyes perceiving a pathetic pleading in
her upturned face. Suddenly there
came to him belief that the girl was
crying; he could feel the slight tremor
of her form against his own. He
glanced furtively at her, only to catch
the glitter of falling tear. To her
evident distress, his heart made in
slant and sympathetic response. With
all respect influencing the action, his
hand closed warmly over the smaller
one on his sleeve.
Little girl he said, forgetting the
shortness of their acquaintance in the
deep feeling of the moment, tell me
what the trouble is"
Il suppose you think me an awfll
creature for saying that" she blurtet
out, without looking up. 1T wasnt
Iadylike or nice, but-but 1 simply
couldn't help it, Lieut.. Brant."
You mean your sudden determine
ton to carry me home with you?" he
asked, relieved to think this NIGH
prove the entire difficulty. Don't le
that worry you. Why, 1 am simply re
ioiced at being permitted to go. d.
you know, l wanted to request the
privilege all the time we were dancin:
together. But you acted so Different.
from when we were beneath the vine
that ! actually lost my nerve"
She looked up and he caught feet
ing glimpse into her unveiled eyes.
Il did not wish you to ask me-"
"What?" He stopped suddenly
why, then, did you make such an an
nouncement to Mrs. Herndon?"
"Oh, that was different" she ex
planned, uneasily. 81 had to do that
| had to trust you to help me out, bu
but 1 really wanted to go home
alone
He swept his unbelieving eye
around over the deserted night scene
not knowing what answer to return tt
so strange an avowal. WAS that wha
caused you to appear SO distant to me-
in the hall, SO vastly different from
what you had been before?"
She nodded, but with her gaze still
upon the ground.
Miss Naida," he said, "it would b.
cowardly for me to attempt to dodg'
this issue between us. Is it becaust
you d. not like me-"
She looked up quickly, the moon
light revealing her flushed face.
"Oh, no, no! you must never thinl
that. told you l was a girl of moods
under those vines l had one mood, il
the hall another. Cannot you under
stand?"
Very little" he admitted, for l an
mere inclined to believe you are tn
) possessor of a strong will than tina
you are swayed by moods. Listen.
| thought that mere senseless moo
e ,.<,c.,I;,-