Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-04-02

a wood nymph. I'm not sure yet. You
see. the place is so well suited. 1T
1t was a natural mistake"
She dropped her eyes shyly and turn
ed away at his look.
ut is only our swimming pool.
There have been no fairies here since
i was II very little girl. But once upon
a time there We're iMany-Oh. a great
many!' 1t. was impossible to describe
the odd, sweet sound her tongue gave
to the English words. 1t was not a
dialect, hardly all accent. just deli
ci.ns, hesitating mannerism born OF
unfamiliarity.
"Did you ever see theln?'
"N-no! arrived always little too
late. Rut there are such things"
She pointed to path. saying:
."Tlis way will bring you to the road.
sir, if you wish"
"But-l don't wish mt yet" He
sought wildly for an excuse to stay
and exclaimed: "Oh, the orchid. I
must get it for you"
THAT will be very nice Of you, SIR.
For two years have awaited Its
blooming. II you had not arrived I
would have got 1t anyhow
"Girls shouldn't climb trees" he said
severely. "It tears their dresses"
"Oh. one cannot tear dress like
this" She glanced down at her skirt.
Allowing his eyes to leave her face Tor
moment, Kirk saw that she was
clad, oddly enough, in suit Of denim
which was buttoned snugly clear to
her neck.
He broke his gun and removed the
shells; then. leaving 1t beside the bath
house, went to the tree where he had
first seen her. With one hand resting
upon the trunk. he turned to say:
Promise you won't disappear while
I'm up there or change into squirrel
or bird or anything like that"
Eyes, yes"
Then instead of beginning his climb
the young man lounged idly against
the tree.
Funny how found you, wasn't IT."
he remarked. II mean it's funny I
should have stumbled right on you this
way There's only one of you and, one
of me- and-er-this country is SO big!"
But the orchid, senior. Do you fear
to climb so high?" she inquired. with
the faintest CLEAN Of amusement at
his Obvious effort to prolong the con-
versation.
''Oh, nor
he turned and seated himself c0mf0rta-
bly,, peering downward through the
leaves for sight of her.
Not gone yeti" he exclaimed.
That's good.'
Are you out of breath that you stop
so soon!"
He nodded. 81 need to rest q minute,
Say, my name is Anthony-Kirk An
thony" Then, after a pause, I'm an
American"
$50 am 1, ut least am almost. Ny
mother was an American"
You don't say!' The young mans
face lighted up with interest, and he
started engerly down the tree trunk,
but she checked him promptly.
"The orchid!'
ooh, yes!" He reseated himself.
well, well. l suppose your mother
taught you to speak English2"
Il also attended school In Balti
more"
Now that the first surprise of meet
ing was over, Kirk began really at
tentive scrutiny of this delightful
young person. Ills first glimpse had
told him she was ravishingly pretty,
hut it had failed to show how dainty
and small she was. Her chief charm
lay in certain winsome vivacity.
Even now pure mischief looked out of
her eyes as she asked:
"Have you rested enough to attack
the orchid?"
yes" He reused himself from his
trance, and with strangely leaping
heart proceeded carefully to detach
the big air plant from its resting place.
Don't break it." she cautioned as
he came gingerly down the tree. ut
is what we call 'Espiritu Santa.' the
holy spirit flower. See, It Is like a
white bird"
MAY l rest moment? I'm aw.
fully tired.'
Certainly. You may stay as long
as you wish. When you are rested
the little path will bring you OUT
'But you mustn't go!' he exclaimed
in panic as she turned away. .Oh.
l say, please! You wouldn't do a thing
like that?"
II cannot speak to you this way.
SIR The young lady blushed psetsily
"Wlly not. I'd like to know7'
ooh" She raised her hand and
shook her head to express the, ALSO
lutte impossibility Of such thing
ALREADY have been terrible What
will Stephanie say?"
you've been nothing Of the sort
and who is Stephanie7'
"She is big black woman-ver5
fierce. 1t is because OF Stephanie that
the fairies have gone away from here :"
"I'm so tired that must sit down
thought these country places were
unoccupied at this season."
$50 they are. But. you see. I am DO
ing penance. am bad girl. am
disobedient. Otherwise would moi
allow you to speak to me alone Ike
this. You are the first gentleman
have ever been so long In the com
rany with, Senior Antonio. For dy
months l must wear these garments
no pretty ones. must not 60 out u
public also. and have been sent hers