The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-06-18

love making. It was horriblel"
cit was only me; what did it matter? If
it had been a strange man you might have
objected. And then again you took me on
my blind side"
That's an ugly word, and you aren't go
ing to use it any more"
sBut it's true, dear. I'd give everything.
except you, to see your face again. But I'm
blind"
Maisie thought for a minute till love
gave her pure reason. ''That's nonsense
too. Listen, stupid. You said ten years
were nothing. And they weren't We be-
longed just the same. Now, do you remem-
Der out on the flats, with the pistol, when
nv hair got into your eyes?" Dick caught
the click of hair pins, and Maisie's long
locks fell about his face. "You couldn't
see now if you tried ever so hard Let's
pretend it's only my wig in your eyes for
Just a little longer-for fifty or sixty years.
F:fty's five times less important than ten
Can't you see that darling?n She shook
her head to increase both the darkness and
the understanding.
81 see," said Dick, very contentedly.
''Oh it's good to have you back again
Maisie!"
''It's gooder to be back, bad boy"
And they argued that point gravely,
with Interruptions; and they discussed ways
and means, also with Interruptions; and
they took no count of time, till AIaisie said,
81 haven't any clothes. / haven't eaten
anything for years. l haven't anywhere to
live except in the little house. and the care
taker there will be out, and l must go and
be party"
"What's that, dear?"
''There was man once" said Maisie,
hairpin between her teeth, who was al
ways trying to drag me to registrars
office to be married. He told me that one
or other of the parties must always give
notice to the registrar I shall buy thick
veil and be that party Isn't it nice TO know
we've only ourselves to think of!n
81 remember that man." said Dick. 81
feel that ought to be the party"
''Never mind. Afterward you shall beat
me, think it would do me good. l wants
to be heated Oh, Dick, I've been such
bad, double-bad villain A villain with
Melancolia."
'By Jove. that reminds me Of something
I'd completely forgotten l did Melan-
cola before l went"
''Ah? No! Not that word !"
somewhere, and / thought good deal of her
at one time. What do you think?"
The voice was the voice of the man who
had told her the tale Of his doings, in the
Park, what time he looked to kick the worl6
before him.
SIS it the yelled canvas on the easel!"
asked Maisie.
eyes. Well-?"
blur of paint Somebody had used the
palette knife with deadly skill. 1t was a
cruel. wicked wrong and she could not
understand it; but for Dicks sake she must
make no sign Her eyes, were very dim
and her voice choked with the hard-held
tears as she made answer, still gazing on
the wreck:
''Oh, Dick, it is good!"
Dick heard the sob and took it for tribute.
81 thought you'd like it." he said smiling at
her across the room; and she would have
given the world to cry, but she came back
to his arms instead, to bid him good-by for
little while.
"Dick," she said, when the long farewell
was ended, do you imagine when a
woman loves a man that she cares for his
work? She loves him for himself-self-
self Now I must fly, and-please may /
sing on the staircase going down?"s
There was very little thought of song in
Maisie's heart when she went out, unless it
was the old rhyme. "Lord ha' mercy on
me, this is none of II" She wanted to sit
down and be quiet-very quiet-in her half
dismantled house. Torpenh ow did not APP
pear, and the staircases were empty of life,
"That's nice of him." said Maisie and fed in
5a.n % astonish the caretaker across the
Park. :; ss:.:::s g &:
1'n'allo!" said Torpenhow, entering the
studio after Dick had enjoyed two blissful
hours of thought ''Tm back, Are you feel
ing any better!"
s'Torp. I don't know what to say! Cone
here" Dick coughed huskily.
ssWhat's the need for saying anything!
Get up and tramp"
They walked up and down as of custom.
Torpenhows hand on Dicks shoulder.
How in the world did you find it all ort!"
said Dick, beaming.
"You shouldn't go off your head if you
want to keep secrets, Dickie. It was abso-
lutely impairment on my part but if you'd
seen me rocketing about on a half-trained
French troop horse under blazing sun
you'd have laughed. There's going to be q
charivari in my rooms tonight. Seven other
devils"
tIknow-the row in the Southern Soudan.
| surprised their councils the other day, and
it made me unhappy. Have you fixed your
flint to go? Who do you work for?"
Haven't signed any contracts yet. J
wanted to see how your business would
turn out"
<'Would you have stayed with me, then
fittings had gone wrong"
Don't ask me too much. I'm only 8
man"
you've tried to be an angel very success
fully"
,'Oh, yes! Well, do you attend the
function tonight? We shall be half-scrowe5
before the morning All the men believe
! the wars d certainty"
''Of course III come. haven't turned
my back on the old life yet"
| That night there was tumult on the stairs
The correspondents poured in from theatre,
| dinner and music hall to TOrpenhoW'S room