The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-23

eyes. That's better. Now, that's more
friendly. Tell me what you saidT"
Il said-that mother expected me
to-to like Them
To Oh, to like the boys. Mother
expects 1t? OF course she does! And
some day she'll expect to dress you in
white, and bid us all to come and
dance at the wedding! But in the
meantime, Mother mustn't blame some
one who has just a little more discern
ment than-well, young Brevoort, for
example, for seeing that her tame
dove is really a wild little seagull
starving for the sea. And you don't
want to fall In love with one of these
lads for year or two, anyway
"Oh, my, no." Nina felt the express
sion inadequate, but her breath had
been taken away. The man had
turned about a little, his eyes were
all for her, and his arm, laid carelessly
along the back of the green bench,
almost touched the white ruff1es. They
were in full sight of the house, too,
and IL Lettuce or Anna came back,
they would see Nina in deep and last
ing conversation with the man that all
the older women were so mad about
"You don't. But-what" He bent
his dark head.
II said, But / don't know how you
knew it," Nina repeated, looking
down in her overwhelming self-con-
sciousness, but with a smile of utter
honnfnoc9 ond
A second later she looked up in
some alarm. He was silent-she had
somehow said the awkward thing
again! Nina's heart f1uttered nerv-
ously.
But what she saw treasured her
Royal Blondin had squared himself
about, and had folded his arms, and
was staring darkly into space.
"How knew it ~ he said in a half
whisper, as If to himself, after a full
half-minute of silence that thrilled
Nina to the soul. Child, don't know !!
Some day you and | will read books
ogether-wonderfu books! And then
perhaps We will begin to understand
the cosmic secret-why your soul
want to know you better but why 1t is
my solemn obligation to take the ex-
Quisite thing your coming into my life
may mean to us both You and / have
somehow found each other In all this
wilderness of lies and affectatiOns, and
we're going to be friends, aren't we?'
T-hope we are!" Nina said, clear
throat no hf1r1 10, oh
you know we are!" Royal Blondin
amended. And in a musing tone he
added: I'm afraid I was a little bitter
a few hours ago. And then I saw you,
just an honest, brave, bewildered little
girl, wondering why the deuce they
all make such a fuss about nothing
clothes and bridge parties and din
ners-"
''They never say anything worth
whilev' Nina said, with daring. There
was exquisite homage in the dropped,
listening head, the eyes that smiled
so close to her own. But II l tell
| Mother that, she thinks I'm crazy ~
she added, lapsing into the school YER
nacular against q desperate effort to
sustain the conversation at his level
Because you're a little natural
rebel" interpreted the man, smilingly.
''Those eyes of yours say that. And it
doesn't make for happiness, Little
Girl" he warned her.
Nina narrowed her eyes, and stared
into the green garden. She was not
wearing her glasses today, and hers
were fine eyes, albeit trif1e promi-
nent, and with a somewhat strained
expression.
"Oh, know that 7" she said. II like
the girls and boys-truly I do, and
am popular with them all, l know
that! But 'cases'T said Nina with
scorn.
"Dear Heavenw Royal said under
his breath. "No-no-no-that's not
for youi" he murmured. "And yet
and he turned upon her a look that
Nina was to remember with thrill in
| the waking hours Of the summer night
-"and yet, is IL kindness to wake you
I'D. child?" he unused. rs il right tC
show You the full beauty Of that quest
Ing soul Of yoursf'
II was said as if to himself, as II
he thought aloud. But Nina answered
! 1t.
| Il often think" she said, mirthfully
"that II people knew what I was
thinking. they'd go crazy, / manage
to keep the appearance Of doing ex.
actly what the others do, and / laugh
and fiirt just as If that was the only
thing In life! If people want to think
1 am butterfly, why, let them think
/ SOL Ny friend Miss Hawkes. says that
have two natures-but I don't know
! about thati"
She looked up mt him to find his
eyes fixed steadily upon her, and
flushed happily. with a fast-beatins
heart
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