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endeavor to reETraTn "ray rebellious
spirit, so that you will not be unduly
shocked."
He laughed, now placed entirely at
big ease. "Your meed of mercy is ap
preciated, fair lady. Is it your desire
to return to the hall?"
She shook her head positively. "A
cheap. gaudy show, all bluster and
vulgarity. Even the dancing is a mere
I-arody. I early tired of it."
"Then let us choose the better part,
and sit here on the bench, the night
cur own."
He conducted her across the porch
to the darkest corner, where only rifts
of light stole trembling in between the
shadowing vines, and there found con
venient seats. A moment they re
mained In silence, and he could hear
her breathing.
"Have you truly been at the hall,"
she questioned, "or were you merely
fibbing to awaken my interest?"
"I truly have been," he answered,
"and actually have danced a measure
with the fair guest of the evening."
"With Phoebe Spencer! And yet
you dare pretend now to retain an in
terest in me? Lieut. Brant, you must
be a most talented deceiver, or else
the strangest person I ever met. Such
a miracle has never occurred before!"
"Well, it has certainly occurred
now; nor am I in this any vain de
ceiver. I truly met Miss Spencer. I
was the recipient of her most entranc
ing smiles; I listened to her modu
lated voice; I bore her off, a willing
captive, from a throng of despairing
admirers; I danced with her, gazing
down into her eyes, with her fluffy
hair brushing my cheek, yet resisted
f.11 her charms and came forth think
ing only of you."
"Indeed? Your proof?"
He drew the white satin fan forth
from his pocket, and held it out to
ward her with mock humility. "This,
unbelieving princess. Dispatched by
the fair lady in question to fetch this
bauble from the dressing-room, I for
got my urgent errand in the sudden
delight of finding you."
"The case seems fully proved," she
confessed, laughingly, "and it is sure
ly not my duty to punish the culprit.
What did you talk about? But. pshaw.
I know well enough without asking
Ehe told you how greatly she admired
the romance of the west, and begged
you to call upon her with a recital of
your own exploits. Have I not guessed
aright?"
"Partially, at least; some such ex
pressions were used."
"Of course, they always are. I do
not know whether they form merely a
part of her stock in trade, or are
spoken earnestly. You would laugh to
hear the tales of wild and thrilling ad
venture which she picks up, and actu
ally believes. That Jack Moffat pos
sesses the most marvelous imagina
tion for such things, and if I make fun
of bis impossible stories Ehe becomes
angry in an instant."
"I am afraid you do not greatly ad
mire this Miss Spencer?"
"Oh. but I do; truly I do. You must
not think me ungrateful. No one has
ever helped me more, and beneath
this mask of artificiality she is really
a noble-hearted woman. I do not un
derstand the necessity for people to
lead false lives. Is it this way in all
society eastern society, I mean? Do
men and women there continually
scheme and flirt, smile and stab, for
ever assuming parts like so many play
actors?" "It is far too common," he admitted,
touched by her naive questioning.
"What is known as fashionable social
life has become an almost pitiful
sham, and you can scarcely conceive
the relief it is to meet with one utter
ly uncontaminated by its miserable de
ceits, its shallow make-believes. It is
no wonder you shock the nerves of
such people; the deed Is easily accom
plished." r "But I do not mean to." And she
looked at him gravely, striving to
make him comprehend. "1 try so hard
to be be commonplace, and and sat
isfied. Only there is so much that
seems silly, useless, pitifully con
temptible that I lose all patience.
Perhaps I need proper training in what
Miss Spencer calls refinement; but
why should I pretend to like what I
don't like, and to believe what I don't
believe? Cannot one act a lie as well
as speak one? And is it no longer
right to search after the truth?"
"I have always felt it was our duty
to discover the truth wherever possi
ble," he said, thoughtfully; "yet, I
confess, the search is not fashionable,
nor the earnest seeker popular."
A little trill of laughter flowed from
between her parted lips, but the sound
was not altogether merry.
"Most certainly I am not. They all
cold me, and repeat with manifest
horror the terrible things I say, being
unconscious that they are evil. Why
whould I suspect thoughts that come
to m naturally, I want to know, to
understand. I grope about in the
dark. It seems to me sometimes that
this whole world Is a mystery.. I go
to Mr. Wynkoop with my questions,
and they only seem to. shock him.
Why should they? God must hare put
all these doubts and wondtrings into
N II I
my mind, and there must be an an
swer for them somewhere. Mr. Wyn
koop is a good man, I truly respect
him. I want to please him, and I ad
mire his intellectual attainments; but
how can he accept so much on faith
and be content? I know I am a per
fect heathen. Miss Spencer says I
am, bnt do you think it Is so awful
for me to want to know these things?"
"You merely express clearly what
thousands feel without the moral cour
age to utter it. The saddest part of it
all is, the deeper we delve the less we
are satisfied in our intellectual na
tures. We merely succeed in learning
that we are the veriest pygmies. Men
like Mr. Wynkoop are simply driven
balk upon faith as a last resort, abso
lutely baffled by an impenetrable wall,
against which they batter mentally in
vain."
"Are you a church member?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe those thinsjs you do
not understand?"
He drew a deep breath, scarcely
knowing at that moment how best to
answer, yet sincerely anxious to lead
this girl toward the light.
"The majority of men n ;
much about such matters. The y ho. i
them sacred. Yet I will speak frankly
with you. I could not statte in word3
my faith so that it would be clearly
apprehended by the mind of another.
I "am in the church because I believe
its efforts are toward righteousness,
because I believe the teachings of
Christ are perfect. His life the highest
possible type of living, and because
through Him we receive all the infor
mation regarding a future existence
which we possess. That my mind
rests satisfied I do not say; I simply
accept what is given, preferring a lit
tle light to total darkness."
"But here they refuse to accept any
one like that. They say I am not yet
in a fit state of mind."
"Such a judgment would seem to me
narrow. I was fortunate in coming
under the influence of a broad-minded
religious teacher. To my statement
of doubts he simply said: 'Believe
what you can; live the very best you
can, and keep your mind open toward
the light.' It seems to me now this
is all that anyone can do whose nature
will not permit of blind, unquestion
able faith."
"I am so glad you have spoken in
that way," she confessed. "I shall
never feel quite so much alone in the
world again, and I shall see these mat
ters from a different viewpoint. Is it
wrong unwomanly, I mean for me
to question spiritual things?"
"I am unable to conceive why it
should be. Surely woman ought to be
as deeply concerned in things spirit
ual as man."
"How very strange it is that we
should thus drift into such an intimate
talk at our second meeting!" she ex
claimed. "But It seems so easy, so
natural, to converse frankly with some
people they appear to draw out all
that is best in one's heart. Then there
are others who seem to parch and
wither up every germ of spiritual
life."
"There are those in the world who
truly belong together," he urged, dar
ingly. "They belong to each other by
some divine law. They may never be
privileged to meet; but if they do, the
commingling of their minds and souls
is natural. This talk of ours to-night
has, perhaps, done me as much good
as you."
"Oh, I am so glad if it has! I I do
not believe you and Miss Spencer
conversed in this way?"
"Heaven forbid! And yet it might
puzzle you to guess what was the
main topic of our conversation."
"Did it interest you?"
"Deeply."
"Well, then. It could not be dress, or
men, or western romance, or society
in Boston, or the beautiful weather. I
guess it was books."
"Wrong; they wcro never men
tioned." "Then I shall have to give up, for I
do not remember any other subjects
she talks about."
"Yet it was the most natural topic
Imaginable yourself."
"You were discussing me? Why,
how did that happen?'
"Very simply, and I was wholly to
blame. To -be perfectly honest. Miss
Nalda, I attended - the; dance to-night
for no other object than to meet you
rain. But A had arcu.ejjmyself into
the belie! thai you were Miss Spencer.
The discovery of my mistake merely
intensified ray determination to learn
who you really were. With this pur
pose, I interviewed Miss Spencer, and
during the course of our conversation
the facts cf my first meeting with you
became known."
"You told her how very foolish I
acted?"
"I told her how Jeeply Interested I
had become in your outspoken man
ner." "Oh! And she exclaimed, 'How ro
mantic!' "
"Possibly; she likewise took occa
sion to suggest that you were merely
a child, and seemed astonished that 1
should have given you a Ef-cond
tliought."
"Why. I am IS."
"I told her I believed you to be of
that age, and she ignored my remark.
But what truly surprised both of us
was, how you happened to know my
name."
The girl did not attempt to answer,
and she was thankful enough that
there was not sufficient light to be
tray the reddening of her cheeks.
"And you do not mean, even now,
to make clear the mystery?" he asked.
"Xot now," she answered, almost
timidly. "It is nothing much, only 1
would rather not now."
The sudden soimcl of voices and
laughter in the street beneath brought
them both to their feet.
"Why, they are coming across to
' supper," she exclaimed, in surprise.
"How long wc have been here, and it
has seemed scarcely a moment! I
shall certainly be in for a scolding,
Lieut. Brant; and I fear your only
means of saving me from bein?
promptly sent home in disgrace will
be to escort me in to supper."
"A delightful punishment!" He
drew her hand through his arm. and
said: "And then you will pledge me
the first dance following?"
"Oh, you mustn't ask me. Really, I
have not been on the floor to-night; I
am not in the mood."
"Do you yield to moods?"
"Why, of course I do. Is it net a
woman's privilege? If you know me
long it will be to find me all moods."
"If they only prove as attractive as
the particular one swaying you to
night, I shall certainly have no cause
for complaint. Come, Miss Naida,
please cultivate the mood to say yes
before those others arrive."
She glanced up at him, shaking her
dark hair, her lips smiling. "My j
present mood is certainly a good-na- !
tured one," she confessed, softly, "and
consequently it is impossible to say i
no."
His hand rressed hers, as the throng
ing couples came merrily vi the
steps.
"Why, Naida, is this you, child?
Where have you been all this time?"
It was Miss Spencer, clinging to Mr.
Wynkoop's arm.
"Merely sitting out a dance," was
the seemingly indifferent answer;
then she added sweetly, "Have you
ever met ray friend, Lieut. Brant, of
the Seventh cavalry, Phoebe? We
were just going in to supper."
Miss Spencer.'s glance swept over
the silent young officer. "I believe I
have had the honor. It was my priv
ilege to be introduced to the gentle
man by a mutual friend."
The inward rush of hungry guests
swept them all forward in laughing,
jostling confusion; but Naida's cheeks
burned with indignation.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Reappearance of an Old Friend.
After supper the lieutenant and
Xaida danced twice together, the
young girl's mood having apparently
changed to one of buoyant, careless
happiness, her dark eyes smiling, her
lips uttering freely whatever thought
came uppermost. Outwardly she pic
tured the gay and merry spirit of the
night, yet to Brant, already observing
her with the jealousy of a lover, she
appeared distrait and restless, her af
fectation of abandon a mere mask to
her feelings. Perhaps these things
might have passed unnoted but for
their contrast with the late confiden
tial chat.
He could not reconcile this sudden
change with what he believed of her.
It was not carried out with the prac
ticed art of one accustomed to deceit.
There must be something real influ
encing her action. These misgivings
burdened his mind even as he swung
lightly with her to the music, and they
talked together in little snatches.
The last two waltzes ended, they
walked slowly through the scattering
throng, he striving vainly to arouse
her to the former independence and
intimacy of speech. Suddenly they
came face to face with Mrs. Herndon,
and Brant felt the girl's arm twitch.
"I have been looking everywhere
for you, Naida," Mrs. Herndon said, a
slight complaint In her voice. "We
were going home."
Naida's cheeks reddened painfully.
"I am so sorry if I have kept you
waiting," her words spoken with a
rush, "but but, Lieut. Brant was in
tending to accompany me. We were
just starting for the cloakroom."
"Oh, indeed!" Mrs. Herndon's ex
pression was noncommittal, while her
eyes surveyed the lieutenant.
"With your permission, of course,"
he said.
"I hardly think I have any need to
interfere."
They separated, the younger people
walking slowly, silently toward the
door. He held her arm, assisting her
to descend the stairway, his lips mur
muring a few commonplaces, to which
she scarcely returned even monosyl
labic replies, although she frequently
flashed shy glances at his grave face.
Both- realized that some explanation
was forthcoming, yet neither was quite
prepared to force the Issue.
"I hare no wraps at the hotel." she
said, as he attempted. tp turn that
way. "That was a lie also; let us
walk directly down the roal."
He indulged in no comment, his
eyes perceiving a pathetic pleading In
her upturned face. Suddenly there
came to him a belief that the girl was
crying; he could foe! the slight tremor
of her form against his own. He
glanced furtively at her, only to catch
the glitter of a falling tear. To her
evident distress, his heart made In
stant and sympathetic response. With
all respect influencing the action, his
hand closed warmly over the smaller
one on his sleeve.
"Little girl," he said, forgetting the
shortness of their acquaintance in the
deep feeling of the moment, "tell me
what the trouble is."
"I suppose you think me an awful
creature for saying that," she blurted
out, without looking up. "It wasn't
ladylike or nice, but but I simply
couldn't help it, Lieut. Brant."
"You mean your sudden determina
tion to carry me home with you?" he
asked, relieved to think this might
prove the entire difficulty. "Don't let
that worry you. Why, I am simply re
joiced at being permitted to go. Do
you know, I wanted to request the
privilege all the time we were dancing
together. But you acted so differently
from when we were beneath the vines
that I actually lost my nerve."
She looked up and. he caught a lleet
ing glimpse into her unveiled eyes.
"I did not wish you to ask me."
"What?" He stopped suddenly.
"Why, then, did you make such an an
nouncement to Mrs. Herndon?"
"Oh, that was different," she ex
plained, uneasily. "I had to do that;
I had to trust you to help me out, but
but I really wanted to go
home
alone."
He swept his unbelieving eyes
around over the deserted night scene,
not knowing what answer to return to
so strange an avowal. "Was that what
caused you to appear so distant to me
in the hall, so vastly different from
what vou had been before?"
She nodded, but with her gaze still
upon the ground.
"Miss Naida," he said, "it would be
cowardly for me to attempt to dodge
this issue between us. Is it because
you do not like me?"
She looked up quickly, the moon
light revealing her flushed face.
"Oh, no, no! you must never think
that. I told you I was a girl of moods;
under those vines I had one mood, in
the hall another. Cannot you under
stand ?"
"Very little," he admitted, "for I am
more inclined to believe you are the
possessor of a strong will than that
you are swayed by moods. Listen. If
I thought that a mere senseless mood
had caused your peculiar treatment of j
me to-night, I should feel justified In j
yielding to a mood also. But I whl not j
lower you to that extent in my estima
tion; I prefer to believe that you are
the truehearted, frankly spoken girl
of the vine shadow. It is this abiding
conviction as to your true nature
which holds me loyal to a test. Miss
Naida, is it now your desire that I
leave you?"
He stepped aside, relinquishing her
arm, his hat in hand, but she did not
move from where he left her.
"It it hurts me," she faltered, "for
I truly desire you to think in that way
of me, and I I don't know what is
best to do. If I tell you why I wished
to come alone, you might misunder
stand; and if I refuse, then you will
suspect wrong, and go away despising
me."
"I sincerely wish you might repose
sufficient confidence in me as a gentle
man to believe I never betray a trust.,
never pry into a lady's secret."
'"Oh.'T do, Lieut. Brant, 'it is not
doubt of you at all; but I am not sure,
even within my own heart, that I am
doing just what is right. Besides, it
will be so difficult to make you, almost
a stranger, comprehend the peculiar
conditions which influence my action.
Even now you suspect that I am de
ceitful a masked sham like those
"Do You Really Think I am So Very
Bad, Because Because I Like
Bob Hampton?"
others we discussed to-night; but I
have never played a part before, never
skulked in the dark. To-night I simply
had to do it."
"Then attempt no explanation," he
said, gently, "and believe me, I shall
continue to trust you. To-night, what
ever you wish may be, I will abide by
it. Shall I go, or stay? In either case
you have nothing to fear."
She drew a deep breath, these open
words of faith touching her more
strongly than would any selfish fault
finding. "Trust begets trust," she replied,
with new firmness, and now gazing
frankly into his face. "You can walk
with me a portion of the way if you
wish, but I am going to tell you the
truth, I have an appointment with a
man."
"1 naturally regret to learn this,", he
said, with assumed calmness. "But
the way is so lonely I prefer walking
The County Exchanges
fc! f S3-ere Sclectsd
...... - . - .
Ilrrwood
From tbe Ueit1"r-K'ljo.
Mrs. Stark is reported to be paining
some by the treatment she is receiving
at Lincoln.
We are sorry to hear that Willie Atch
inson is quite sick with typhoid fever.
Miss Cora Mueller is teaching in district
101 during- his illness.
Philander Williams is seriously ill
with pneumonia. lie was out to Har
ry's sale Friday and took sick in the
night. At the time of going to press
his condition is still quite serious.
Miss Wills, who taught school here
last year, underwent an operation for
appendicitis at an Omaha hospital last
Friday. Mrs. Tolhurst received a card
stating that she withstood the operation
nicely.
"Dad" Otte took a do.se of carbolic
acid Monday night through a mistake,
lie was about to take the medicine as
he had been doing for months, but un
fortunately got hold of a bottle con
taining the acid. He discovered his
! mistake upon putting it to his "mouth
and which he ejected in a lively manner.
j Antidotes were applied and what might
i have been a serious matter was avert
j ed.
Harold, on of M. II. Tyson's twin
j fa wag tcd atthe Mu
i . .. , ,ir , , ,. ,
hospital Wednesday afternoon by Dr.
Cameron, of Palmyra, and Drs. Neely
and Munger of this city. A very bad
conditions of the appendix was found
and a large cjuantity of pus removed.
At time of going to press Harold was
very low and slight hopes for his recov
ery was entertained.
Mrs. W. A. Waddick met with an ac
cident one day last week that came
near having fatal results. She had
some medicine and carbolic acid in bot
tles just alike and by mistake took a
dose of the acid instead of the medicine.
She realized her mistake as soon as the
burning liquid entered her mouth and
did not swallow any of it, spitting it
out immediately, but her mouth, lips
and chin were terribly burned.
Special Announcement Regarding the
National Pure Food and Drug Law
We are pleased to announce that Fo
ley's Honey and Tar for coughs, colds
I and lung troubles is not effected by the
I National Pure Food and Drug iaw as it
j contains no opiates or other harmful
remedy for children and adults.
The editor of the Memphis (Tenn.)
Times writes: "In my opinion Foley's
Honey and Tar is the best remedy for
coughs, colds and lung trouble, and to
my own personal knowledge roiey s
Honey and Tar has accomplished many
permanent cures that have been little
short of marvelous. " Refuse any but
the genuine in the yellow package. For
sale by F. G. Fricke & Co.
Union
From the Ledger.
Mrs. Claudius n.verett is recovering
from a very severe attack of throat
trouble.
Mrs. W. F Tracy arrived home Tues
day from a two weeks visit with friends
at Pawnee City and Lincoln.
Mrs Nancy Dysart, living southwest
of town, has been suffering an attack
of pneumonia, but is reported convales
cent. G. P. Barton arrived home on Tues
day from Burlington Junction, Mo.,
where he has been soaking his little
feet in mineral water.
Edward Pittman and wife are the
happy parents of an 8-pound baby boy
that registered Monday at their home,
2322 Harney St. Omaha.
Jas. T. Reynolds and son Will went
to Omaha yesterday morning for the
purpose of having Will's ear examined
and treated by one of the specialists of
that city.
Mrs Geo Eaton was called to Walthill
last week on account of the illness of he
little grand-son, a son of Charles Moore
and wife. The child, two week old,
died soon after she arrived there.
A report from Nebraska City says
that Adolph J.Schwartz and Miss Pearl
Krishaw, residents of Nehawka, were
married Wednesday afternoon by J udge
Wilson at his office in Nebraska City.
The little daughter of Bert Martin,
sonthwest of town, has been very sick
with a severe attack of pneumonia and
for a time it was thought the child
could not recover, but Dr. Barritt re
ports that it is now getting along nicely.
Reese Delaney and wife went to Om
aha and started from there on last Fri
day for West Virginia to make a few
weeks visit with their relatives and
friends at the old home, and will also
visit at points in Pennsylvania. They
expect to be gone about thirty days.
Why get up in the morning feeling
blue.
Worry others and worry you;
Here's a secret between you and roe,
Better use Rocky Mountain Tea.
Iron tbi Columns cf Conteccortrlei
SIH
Suffering and Dollars Saved
E. S. Loper, of Marilla, N. Y., Fays;
"I am a carpenter and have had many
severe cnts healed by Bucklin's Arnica
Salve. It has saved me suffering and
dollars. It is by far the best healing
salve I have ever found." Heals burns
sores, ulcers, fever sores, eczema, and
piles. 25c at F. C. Fricke & Co's drug
store. Nehawka
(From tho Itcirlstcr.)
N. C. Delesdernier's little girl
reported ciuite sick the first of
was
the
week.
We are pleased to report Mrs. Win.
Tucker as steadly improving and that
she is able to sit up some each day.
J. L. Smith was in town Wednesday
afternoon, lie has been east visiting
relatives in Indiana and other states.
Mr. John Buck of Colfax, Wash., and
Mrs. Addie Cross of Three Grove were
visiting at the Kirkpatrick home on last
Saturday.
Jesse Dodson arrived from West Vir
ginia Saturday morning and is visiting
with his relatives here. He walks with
a cane caused by slipping while in St.
Louis and injured one of his limbs.
Mrs. Eli Pittman came in from York
on Thursday of last week to care for
her sister Mrs. Reynolds who has Lcen
quite sick. We are pleased to report
her as much better at this writing.
James and Frank Vantine cami in
from Araphoe last Saturday morning
on a visit to relatives. Both the boys
are looking as though they had been
prospering and are enjoying'immenscly
the visit at the old home.
William Rough of Kent, 0 ;;!, i s
here on a visit to his brothers and
father. He has not been in the west
now for a number of years, and is so
well pleased with his present abode that
it would be next to impossible to pry
him loose.
Charley Hansen reported that some
one relieved him of the trouble of eat
ing a quarter of a beef Monday night.
They cut it in two in order to haul it
away, but lest part of it going up the
hill west of him. He says if the party
will call he can have the other piece,
and welcome.
Chronic Constipation Cured
One who suffers from chronic consti-
! pation i in danger of many serious ail
ments. Orino Laxative Fruit Syrup
cures chronic constipation as it aids di
gestion and stimulates the liver and
bowels, restoring the natural action of
these organs. Commence taking it to
day and you will feel better at once.
Orino Laxative Fruit Syrup does not
nauseate or gripe and is very pleasant
tD take. Refuse substitutes. Fc r sale
by F. G. Fricke & Co.
The Wonderful
Big Horn Basin
TO RENTERS:
I have a selected list of irrigated
farms in the Basin for rent; why
not rent for a year or two and learn
the profits from irrigated farming
in the Basin, and become acquaint
ed with the climate and desirability
of settling in that region? We also
help you homestead irrigated land?,
or to buy them at prices that will
make your money. Millions of dol
lars are now being spent irrigating
Basin lands. Homeseekers' excur
sions first and third Tuesdays of
1908. Write D. Clem Deaver, Gen
eral Agent, Landseekers' Informa
tion Bureau, Omaha.
WINTER EXCURSIONS:
Homeseekers' excursions first and
third Tuesdays to Colorado, Wyom
ing, Big Horn Basin, Northwest,
Southwest and South; Winter Tour
ist Rates daily to Florida, the Gulf
Country, the South and Southern
California. Ask Agent, or the un
dersigned for rates and details.
V. I.
PiCKETT. TICKET AEEIT, rUnSHOOTI
. l . wixan, a. r. t. taaia. i.
IES
Si
IB
i
X
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