The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1910-03-12

had, and Griswold had entered ,ntc
| the spirit OF this sort OF thing for the
joy it gave Ardmore. They had dis
cussed frequently the call Of soul to
soul-the quick glance passing be
tween perfect strangers in crowded
thoroughfares, and had fruitlessly
speculated as to their proper course
in the event the call seemed impera.
tive. A glance of the eye is one thing
but it is quite another to address a
stranger and offer eternal friendship
The two had agreed that, while. soul.
call or no soul-call, a gentleman must
keep clear of steamer fiirtations. and
avoid even the most casual remarks
to strange young women in any cir.
cumstances. a gentleman of breeding
and character may nevertheless fol
low the worlds long trails in search
of never-to-be-forgotten face.
The fact is that Ardmore was ex-
ceedingly shy, and a considerable ex.
perience of fashionable society had
not diminished this shortcoming. Girls
void. on the other hand. had the Vir-
ginians natural social instinct, but
he suffered from a widely -diffused i'm
preston that much learning had mad
him either Indifferent or extremely
critical where women are concerned
Ardmore shrugged his shoulders and
fumbled in his coat pockets as though
searching for ideas. An austere com
posure marked his countenance at all
times, and emphasized the real dis
tinction of his clean-cut features His
way of fitting back his head and star
ing dreamily into vacancy had estab-
lished for him a reputation for stu
pidity that was wholly undeserved.
Please limit the discussion to the
present world, professor
When Ardmore was displeased with
Griswold he called him professor. in
a whitening tone that disposed OF the
academic life.
We shall limit it to New Orleans
or the universe. as you like"
I'm disappointed in you. Grissy.
You don't take this matter in the prop
er spirit. I'm going to find that girl,
| tell you"
Il want you to find her. Ardy. and
throw yourself at her feet. Be 1t far
from me to deprive you of the Joy OF
search. l thoroughly admire your
resolute spirit. 1t smacks OF the old
heroic times. Nor can | conceal from
you my consuming envy. II girl
should natter me with wink should
follow her thrice round the world.
She should not elude me anywhere in
the Copernican system. II it were not
the nobler part for you to pursue
alone. l should forsake my professor
ship and buckle on my armor and
follow your standard
With the winking eye
For my battle-cry."
And Griswold hummed the words,
beating time with his stick. much to
Ardmores annoyance.
In my ignorance" Griswold con-
tinued. Il recall but one allusion to
the wink in immortal song. II my
memory serves me, 1t is no less a
soul than Browning who sings:
All heaven. meanwhile. condensed into
one eye
Which fears to lose the wonder. should
1t wink
You seem worried, Ardy Does the
wink press SO heavily, or what's the
matter?'
The fact is, I'm in trouble Ny
sister says I've got to marry"
Which sister,"
Mrs. Atchison. You know Nellie?
She's nice girl and she's a good sis.
ter to me. but she's running me too
hard on this marrying business She's
going to bring a bunch of girls down
tn A rlc in, IaY, -
says she'll stay until make a choice"
Griswold whistled.
Then, as we say in literary circles,
you're up against it. No wonder
you're beginning to take notice of
the frolicsome boarding school girl
who winks at the world. l believe
I'd rather take chances myself with
that amiable sort than marry into
your Newport transatlantic set"
We'll. one things certain, Grissy.
You've got to come to Ardsley and
help me out while those people are
there. Nellie likes you; she thinks
you're terribly intellectual and all
that, and II you'll throw in a word
now and then. why"
why. may be able to protect you
from the crafts and assaults of your
sister. You seem to forget, Ardy,
that I'm not one of your American
leisure class. I'm always delighted
to meet Mrs. Atchison, but I'm per
son Of occupations. l have a con.
sultation in Richmond tomorrow
then me for Charlottesville. We have
examinations coming on, and, while l
like to play with you, I've positively
got to work"
CTO BE CONTINUED