Year: 1879

goou-IiisHt.


She sat for long time where he had
left her and thought upon this new revela-
tion which the book of human nature had
opened to her, wondering if the world, OF
which she knew So little, held many such
men. He, instead of at once retiring
upon his return 10 the hotel, took a cigar
and dwelt far into the night upon this girl
whom he had Just left Perhaps there was
tinge OF sadness in his reverv. One thing
is certain, as he laid down his cigar the
smile was less bitter than il had been a
few hours before, and the man was none
the worse for his dreaming. Who shall
say il was chance that had brought them
together?


The next day as he sat at lunch note
was brought him;


'Mr. Waring: have decided not tc
hold forth this afternoon. and if you feel
so inclined, should be pleased to have
You call. MARGARET HOWARD"


or course he called. That was his OBJ
.iect in coming into town; and like the rest
Of his sex, he chose to make the best of his
opportunities. | was about to say that he
found Margaret in one of her best moods,
but this would not be exactly true She
had done some very foolish, and at the
same time very natural thinking, and
formed some very absurd resolutions, one
OF which not TO betray the least interest in
this splendid fellow, who was probably
amusing himself by visiting her in one
of his idle times. Thus fortified. she met
him for the second time, and there was
less defiance in her manner than she had
during the previous evening. His ques-
lions IraNN ,1llaint ra,lino an1 eh. saanaaI
for the time to have forgotten all social
differences between them.


After tea they took short walk. coming
back to sit in the moonlight they talked on
and all sorts of subjects. Waring found
that his companion had read much and
carefully; that though her thoughts were
expressed in crude language, there was a
ierseness and originality about them
which compelledthe respect of the listener
The contrast between the two minds was
marked. His sentences, though often
brief, were always elegant.


She was one of the many who think
without words, leaving the superstruction
10 be added when it should be needed.
Her excuse for this was that it is useless
10 cnmber the mind with so much when
the ragged skelton of fact will do as
well to all Of which he refused assent,
claiming that nothing is lost by putting on
4 thoughts best clothes, even though said
thought never leaves home.


Have You always lived in this small
Town. Miss Howard ?''


Yes


II asked because in many ways you sur
prise me. You are unlike most young
ladies whom one meets. Your assertions
are bold and positive, and you speak like
one with larger knowledge of men and
the motives which govern them than could
possibly have come to you in this quiet
place. How do you explain it ?"


..Do you think, then, that people are so
different? DO not the same passions.
powers and motives that sway one effect
all to greater or less degree believe
it; and when look at the petty trials and
injustices and iealousies that make rest or
unrest here, draw my conclusions re-
garding world, made up of the same
men and women, controlled only by cir
camstantial differences


but these differences are the very in
iiuences to which ! refer-what do You
know about them?''


practically nothing - theoretically
everything


You are not cOntented here


''liow do you know ?''


''By looking at you. have already
discovered that only duty keeps you where
you are"


What duty?"


The duty you fancy you owe your rel
atives."


Then you would have me understand
that actually owe nothing to those who
have sacrificed much for me ?''


''lwould have you understand that YOU
owe something to yourself in the way of
culture and elopment-something that
you will eventually seek elsewhere be-
cause you cannot find it here. In this
self expansion, which must come, YOU
will confer a larger benefit upon those
who look to you now TOR material assist
tance."


What if tell you am thoroughly con-
tented?"


81 shall not believe you. But you dare
not tell me so. Yours is not nature to
stand still and three years hence you will
bear me out in the assurance that YOU can
not endure it,


For many minutes they sat in silence.
then suddenly turning toward her, he said
in voice that was rarely tender:


Margaret, may tell you of my life ?''


Yes


''Do you care to know it ?''


Il care TO know all you may choose to
tell me