The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-03-18
LOVERS AGAIN.

Out of the window of the old wooden
bridge, whose hooded tunnel threw a
dark bar across the moonlit mountain
stream, man and woman stood look.
ing into the pine clad amphitheater Of
the cliffs, which lay in stiffness beneath
the spell Of September night. The
black hollow Of the bridge, with its one
moonbeam sharp across the floor, con
trasted with the awful Nsplendor Of the
granite gorge, buttressed and pinnacled
in every rising tier, under the food of
ghostly light, and il the only object Of
the couple in coming here was to see the
view they were amply repaid.
From their conversation since they
left the hotel, which now lay behind
them, hidden by fringe Of the forest,
it would have been difficult to say that
this was not their only object. The
small talk of acquaintanceship friend
ship and even love is within certain
limits, and among people habituated to
each others conventions practically in
distinguishable. Frequently it is diff
cult to decide why the degrees should
be of so much consequence to the par
ties.
1t was, in this case, knowledge Of the
world and the good temper Of expert
ence that kept Mrs. Hugonin and Ar
thur Kinnaird on perfectly unruffled
terms with each other. The conviction
that he had long ago forgiven her, graft
flying as it once had been, was now of
such long standing that it had become
confused with her earlier and less iusti-
fable conviction that he ultimately
would forgive her.
Thus secure in vindication, the lust
for which the dying Eve bequeathed to
all her sex, Mrs. Hugonin could, with
out the slightest reflection upon her
widowhood, accept once more the com
partnership of man who tolerated life
as comfortably as Arthur Kinnaird
The imminence Of the climacteric which
she knew to be threatening him was
not to be read from his figure. His step
was alert, his cheeks We're bronzed his
tastes were rational, and what more
could he desire?
She pushed back her dark hair under
its somewhat youthful cap and, leaning
her elbows on the edge, gazed, without
speaking, at the haunted defile. Kim
naird gave little laughed behind her.
Margaret he said, upon my word, it
seems as if we were boy and girl again.
why, particularly she asked, with
ont turning her head.
..Oh, all this summer" he replied.
She didn't ask him to be more explicit.
1T is certainly an ideal place. she said,
with half sigh. "Yet it is foolish to
say that the beauties of nature restore
ones youth. One may feel young again,
but one is not really any the less dispas-
sionate."
II am not SO sure of that, said Kin.
naird. 81 should like to argue the point
with you-if it could be argued"
You men are all alike" said Mrs.
Hugonin, with an inconsistent shrug Of
her shoulder. You give up to logic
what was meant for conversation"
Kinnaird stroked his mustache thought
fully for a moment. And so you think
me dispassionateg' he observed.
.'You?' said Mrs. Hugonin, turning
with a delightful laugh. why, Arthur,
there isn't sentiment or conviction to
whose support society could order you
to contribute"
'If you mean that, ]" he said slowly,
sit is quite as ! feared. +"
4tAs you fearedy'
"You still believe me capable of as
much mistaken self control as once
was. And" he added calmly, Il don't
wonder
Though there was no bitterness APP
parent in his tone, Mrs. Hugonin was
startled. Really, this is unlike you,
Arthur, = she said grayely, but yet with
sense Of amusement. 'tYou petulant
with your past? You provoked with your
recollections? Indeed | have mistaken
you"
He laughed, but gently. Come, !" he
said, lyon have no right to be ironical.
Though once let you go, it was because
] thought Won wished to be released"
Upon my word, Arthur" said Mrs.
Hugonin, II did not know you were
serious, or should not have taken this
as a joke"
II am entirely serious"
Really" said Mrs. Hugonin, and she
spoke with some irritation II thought
all had been forgotten and forgiven
years ago" Then she drew herself up
proudly. Can it be that after all this
time you have conceived the childish
whim OF forcing me to a-to an Apology
..No-hardly that. 4
4 am ready to make it." she went on
..But if do
Kinnaird moved to the window beside
her and laid his hand on her arm. .'You
are much mistaken" he said, in the un-
disturbed voice which SO provoked her.
"You must indeed think that am tax
ing leave Of my years. / never had
much yanity, think, but what / had
when ] was younger never made pet
of. Look over there at the rocks and
what do you seer
Rocks and moonlight. But. Ar
thur"
1.-THE rocks make me recolect," he
went ON. unheeding, chat one day when