The old Abe eagle., 1892-06-02
LOVERS AGAIN.


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 splendor of the
granite gorge, buttressed and pinnacled
in every rising tier, under the food Of
ghostly light, and if the only object Of
The couple in coming here was to see the
Wow 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 80 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 justi-
fable conviction that he ultimately
would forgive her,
Thus secure in vindication, the lust
for which the dying Eve bequeathed to
NIL her sex, Mrs. Hugonin could, with
out the slightest reflection upon her
widowhood, accept once more the com
panionship 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 were 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 defle. Kin
naird gave little laughed behind her
Margaret" he said, upon my word, it
seems rs If we were boy and girl again"
why, particularlyt' she asked, with
out turning her head.
"Oh, all this summer" he replied
She didn't ask him to be more explicit
at 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,
hnt one is not really any the less dispas-
sionate.'
81 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 50 you think
Inc dispassonatet' he observed.
"You?" said Mrs. Hugonin, turning
with delightful laugh. why, Arthur,
there isn't a sentiment or conviction to
whose support society could order you
to contribute"
"If you mean that" he said slowly,
"it is quite as ! feared"
"As you fearedE
You still believe me capable of as
much mistaken self control as | once
was. And" he added calmly, al don't
wonder"
Thongh there was no bitterness ap
parent in his tone. Mrs. Hugonin was
startled. Really this is unlike YOU
Arthur" she said gravely, but yet with
a sense Of amusement. "You petuant
with your pasty Yon provoked with youl
recollectionsY Indeed | have mistaken
you"
He laughed, but gently. Come" ht
said, you have no right to he irUnical
Though once let you 20, II WAS becaus,
thought you wished 10 be released"
upon my word Arthur" said Mrs
Hugon,u. "l did not know you wer,
serious, or should not have taken thii
asa joke"
81 am entirely serious
Really said Mrs. l1ugonin, and sh,
spoke with some irritation. II though
all had been forgotten and forgiven
years ago Then she drew herself NJ
proudly. "Can it be that after all thi
time you have conceived the childish
whim Of forcing me TO ito an Apology
"No-hardly that"
II am ready to make it. she went on
"But If do
Kinnaird moved TO the window besid
her and laid his hand on her arm. "Yol
are much mistaken" lac said, IN the un
disturbed voice which so provoked her
"Iou must indeed think that anu TAX
ing leave of my years never ha,
much vanity, think. but what ! ha,
whom ! WAS younger never made a Pc
Of. Look over there at the rocks an,
what do you sect"
"Rocks--,nd moonlight. But. Ar
thur
"The rocks make me recollcct," h
went ON. unheedmg, that one day whe
you were about seventeen you aud
climbed Lone mountain together An,
when we reached the rayiue you insiste'
on going first, aud let you. Now | di
that because reflected that 4 you fell
could catch you"
"MellY'
"iou see. that was my first mistake
should have gone first and nadr So
cling 90 my-pardon me-coat tails.
Very likely" said Mrs lIugonii
half laughing But can't think Il do,
Us any good to talk It over now
after that. said Kinnaird. pnrsuin
his subject II acted consistently on u
same mistaken theory Aud when
came To tho question of giving you up.
thought always Of you first That WI
why gave you up which you natuu
IL considered a weakness"