The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-12

= 2 Z began to like walking about
- rather aimIessly in the town 5
narrow streets, with the mud
daubed cabins on either hand.
This simple life under low,
matched roofs had a charm.
When a door was opened ne could see
a fire of logs on the ample hearth
shooting its yellow tongues up the
sooty Chimney-thTOat Soft creole
voices murmured and sang, or tangled
their petty domestic discords. Women
in scant petticoats, leggings and moe
casins swept snow from the squat
verandas, or fed the pigs in little sites
behind the cabins. Everybody cried
cheerily: Bon jour, Monsieur, com
ment allez-vous?" as he went by, al
ways accompanying the verbal salute
with a graceful wave Of the hand
When ne walked early i'm the
morning a watt of broiling game and
browning corn scenes was abroad.
Pots and kettles occupied the hearths
with glowing Goals heaped around and
under. Shaggy dogs whined at the
doors until the mensal remnants were
tossed out TO them in the front yard.
But it was always a glimpse of
Alice that must count for every
thing in Beverley's reckonings, albeit
he would have strenuously denied it.
True he went to RoussiIlon place al
most every day. it being a fixed part
of his well ordered habit, and a talk
with her. Sometimes. when Dame
RoussilIon was very busy and so
quite off her guard, they read together
in a novel. or in certain parts of the
odd volume OF Montaigne. This was
done more for the sweetness Of dis
obedience than to enjoy the already
familiar pages.
Now and again they repeated their
fencing bout: but never with the re
suit which followed the first. Beverley
soon mastered AIice's tricks and
showed her that. after all. masculine
muscle is not TO be discounted at its
own game by even the most wonderful
womanly strength and suppleness.
She struggled bravely 10 hold her van
tage ground once gained so easily,
but the inevitable was not % be
avoided. At last. one bowling winter
day, he disarmed her by the very
trick that she had shown him. That
ended the play and they ran shiverin5
into the house
"Ah," she cried, lit isn't fair. You
are so much bigger than l, you have
so much longer arms; so much more
weight and power. 1t all counts
against me You ought TO He ashamed
of yourself" She was rosy with the
exhilarating exercise and the biting of
the frosty breeze Her beauty gave
forth a new ray.
Deep in her heart she was pleased
to have him master her so superbly.
but as the days passed she never said
so, never gave over trying to make
him feel the touch Of her foil She
did not know that her eyes We're get
ting through his guard. that her dim
pies were stabbing mis- heart to its
middle.
You have other advantages" he
replied. which far overbalance my
greater stature and stronger muscles. %
Then after a pause he added: After
all a girl must be a girl"
Something in his face. something in
her heart. startled her so that She
made a quick little move like that Of
a restless bird.
you are beautiful and that makes
my eyes and my hand uncertain" he
went on. Were I fencing with a man
there would be no glamour"
He spoke in English which ne did
not often do in conversation with her
It was sign that he was somewhat
wrought upon. She followed his rapid
words with difficulty. but she caught
from them a new note Of feeling. He
saw a little pale flare shoot across her
face and thought she was angry.
You should not use your dimples
to distract my vision" he quickly
added. with a light laugh. 1T would
be no worse for me 10 throw my hat
in your face