The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-19


were looking at the famous rosebush--
and next year 1 went again and bribed
the sacristan TO give me blossom, and
/ have it still--and do you remember
the little church where vespers were
being sung when we went in? And
there / was even closer to you--it was
in the dim light, and the air was full OF
incense---and we whispered together"
He finished in murmur surcharged
with invitation to sentiment, but she
shook her head abruptly. as il convers-
ing with herself. and gave Ettle laugh
OF plainly artificial hardness. "Dear me.
this is very encouraging" she 'cried.
"To think how extremely young I was,
only two years ago!"
She rose she spoke, a looked hard
ut the wet cloak, steaming where it
hung over the corner of the screen.
"Of course I had an errand when I
came here" she spid, almost brusquely,
all at once.
al only know thatsyou cyme--that is
enough" he replied, holding Mt once
deflantly and pleadingly tp the emo
tional murmur. "The brave, good, clem-
ent wind lifted you, and held you, and
brought you hcrc--and what an migrate
should 1 be TO demand explanations!
Harls, how ii shouts and sings about
MS! was in love with its voice an
hour ago. though knew not n word
of what it was saying--but now that
I have caught it's language-now--"
lie halted with sigh. and looked at
the gloved hand she had put upon the
cloak
"It is still very wet" he urged. vacu-
ously.
She laughed outright, and he could
not tell il amusement or pctsllant vcx-
alton was uppcrmost in the sound.
$50 you ore unable to interest your
self, then?" she went on. coldy, and
with averted eyes, "in the question why
] came here. Itawalens no curiosity in
your mind-this extraordinary appear
ance at your studio. unatter1cd and in
the dark, with a hurricane and sheets
of rain outside, Of a lady whose namo
you are ignorant Off,
"Oh, no; / learned your name. found
the hotel you had been stopping at" he
interposed.
"Well, then" she continued, in the
Same chilled tone. "of a lady who at
least was unaware that she had ever
seen you. Possibly studio life is so
crowded with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
that such an incident seems not Mt all
unusual--attracts not the slightest at
tention, but confess"
Her fuency deserted her, and she
turned her face away. Passy guessed
from the line Of the profile that'she was
biting her lip. and certainly he caught
the nervous tap of a little sole on tho
hearthstone.
"No, no." he entreated her. Don't
think any Of these things. / am wholly
in your hands. The surprise and joy
of seeing you'll truly hunted for weeks
through German towns to trace you
you must have known Iwouid-we lived
n long. long time together in just those
two hours or three--that In the way
when two people rightly meet each
other who-who comprehend each other
and know in my heart"
tDl0k lb WdS nOt NVut tiidt
we were speaking Of" she intcrrupteA
nm. "Net, an a sense, il Is what--wnst
Is conventionaily oaued-an affair of
hearts which brings me here. You
can hardly be prepared for what am
going TO tell you--butI am Mary's sister
her elder sister!"
Passy accepted the tidings with an
unmoved face. "Yes?" hesaid, wonder
ingly.
ut is very simple" she went on. in
sharper voice. II came 70 England
three days ago, but three hours was
enough 10 show me that something was
amiss with Mary. won't say that shc
has been what might be called ex-
ponsiyely frank with me, but know
enough OF how matters stand 20 feel
wGrrantcd-that Is, 90 have felt war
ranted. in interfering. The tiff be-
tween you was really oil moonshinc.
and she knows IL perfectly. and she is
IN a mood 20 be reasonable. and so q.
was my idea 10 aslS you TO dine with me
this evening" have Fat In Victoria
strickland she would be therc-and--
well. that's ALL"
Passy had been studying her face as
she spo,.c. with strenuous intentness.