Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-28

stable door. "A very good thrust, Ny Lady
of the Spurr
She whrled around. Your
Most humby at your service"
Your she repeated. what are you
doing here?"
Admitting your fencing"
She eyed me- her checks a little pale,
her brows in straight line. Then a sud-
den demon Of mischief awoke in her eyes.
My fencing? You're laughing at me.
But face me yourself. II you dare"
I snatched the whip from Jerry's fingers.
"Fn dare. A pair OF gloves against your
spur you can't score a hit"
Done donel En- garde, monsieur"
She caught up her skirt and rushed upon
me like fury. Indeed. so fierce was her
attack that almost before I could defend
myself she had driven me half across the
court yard To confess the truth, was
more occupied in watched her spurred
boot advancing in little stamps, and in the
merry glance Of her gray eyes, than was
in parrying her thrusts.
Presently she gave a dexterous Iunge.
"Touchei touche, monsieur I've won"
Yes I said. lowering my weapon, and
fairly. too That fierce was worthy OF
ChevaIier George himself You shall have
the gloves
The fire did out Of her eyes. and she
again surveyed me steadily. why are
you here"
ITO see you" I answered.
She turned on the stable boy who was
staring with open mouth. Jerry, go give
Grayboy a rundown. Mr.. Morvan. We can
talk more freely elsewhere"
I followed her from the court yard.
Here was an ancient apple orchard the
trees gnarled and twisted with age. \
bench encircled one OF them. and on this
we sat down.
Below the orchard. the ground fell in a
gradual slope to a brook half mile away.
Along the uplands, the naples famed on
every knoll, and the hickories showed
golden in the Indian summer haze
Through a gap IN the ridge. we could catch
a CLEAN Of the distant bay.
For a moment. FERRIS stared out across
the valley. then faced me.
Now, We can talk. Why have you come
here, Mr.. Morvan? About that ridiculous
picture?'
NO. I've come to call upon you" I re-
pested.
But Why"
Cousin Ferriss." I answered, smiling
lis It 50 great wonder? Why does any
man call upon any woman He'd find It
hard TO explain. II YOU press me, I'll be
open with you've come because I've been
longing TO see your face. and TO hear your
voice"
rs that all? Impossible"
You wrong your own charm by saying
so. I've only heard your voice when
you've chided me-yes. and you've given me
only frownss but II I'm not favored by
smiles and kind words from you. I take
what you deign to grant me"
well. sir" she said with sudden scorA,
do my poor face and voice meet the squire
OF Morvan's APPROVAL"
sighed contentedly. You know they
do"
L know nothing OF the kind" she
frowned Il can't equal you in fine talk.
sir-I wouldn't choose TO do SO II l could
I would have thought the opinion I sx-
pressed Of Mr.. Henry Morvan yesterday
might have daunted even his impertinenr
spirit"
Cousin FERRIS" I said gently, have
ever spoken an impertinent word to you?
Have I ever given you one impertinent
lookg' 7 waited for an answer. but she
found none. No" / went on, you know
I haven't. What's more, cousin, I've never
owned a thought Of you that your own
mother mightn't have known"
She looked rather conscience stricken.
your presence heFe-that Is an imperti-
neuce" she said family.
only because you make Il so. I've come
20 see II l can't be Of any service 70 you
in some way
NO" she answered. still family. you
cannot