The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-15

hands between her knees He wondered
why she did not look mn: he did not know
that it was partly because there were
tears in her eyes and partly for another
reason AS she had leaned forward his
arm had quite uncousciousy moved a.
long the back Of the bench where his
shoulders had rested and she could not
have resumed her position except in his
half embrace.
He had not thought of it, He was lost
in n greater abstraction. That infinite
tenderness, far above woman's the
tenderness of strength and manliness to-
ward weakness and delicacy, the ten
derness that looks down and not up,
was already possessing him. An in
stinct of protection drew him nearer this
bowed but charming figure, and if he
then noticed that the shoulders were
pretty and the curves of the slim waist
symmetrical, it was rather with a feel
ing of timidity and half consciousness
of unchivalrous thought. Yet why
should he not try to keep the brave and
honest girl near him always? Why should
he not claim the right to protect her?
Why should they not, they who were
lonely lives for mutual help and hap
piness? A sudden perception of delica-
cy, the thought that he should have
spoken before her failure at the Conser-
vatOire had made her feel her helpless
ress. brought a slight color to his cheek.
Would it not seem to her that he was
taking an unfair advantage of her mis-
fortune? Yet it would be so easy now to
slip loving arm around her waist while
he could work for her and protect her
with the other. The other! His eye fell
on his empty sleeve. All! he had forgot
in that accidental contact which sent a
vague tremor through the young girls
frame there was still time for him to
to have spoken. But he only said
Perhaps we had better dine"
She assented quickly-she knew not
why-with a feeling of relief. They
walked very quietly and slowly toward
the restaurant. Not a word of love had
been spoken; not even a glance Of I'M
derstanding had passed between them.
Yet they both knew by some mysterious
instinct that crisis of their lives had
come and gone and that they never again
could be to each other as they were but
a brief moment ago. They talked very
sensibly and gravely during their frugal
meal; the previous spectator Of their con-
fdcnces would have now thought them
only simple friends and have been as
mistaken as before. They talked freely
of their hopes, and prospects-all save
one! They even spoke pleasantly of re-
peatlng their little expedition after his
return from the country, while in their
secret hearts they had both resolved
never to see each other again. Yet by
that sign each knew that this was love
and were both proud of each others
pride which kept it a secret.
The train was late and it was past 10
O'Clock when they at last appeared be-
fore the concierge Of Helen's home. Dur
ing their journey and while passing
/ through the crowds at the station and in
the streets Ostrander had exhibited a
new and grave guardianship over the
young girl, and on the first landing, after
a scrutinizing and an almost fierce glance
at one or two of Helen's odd fellow lodg-
, ers, he had extended his protection so
far as to accompany her up the four
flights to the landing of her apartment.
Here he took leave of her with grave
courtesy that half panied half pleased
her. She watched his broad shoulders
and dangling sleeve as he went down
the stairs, and then hurriedly turned, en-
tered her room and locked the door The
smile had faded from her lips. Going to
the window, she pressed her hot eyelids
against the cool glass and looked out
upon the stars nearly level with the black
roofs around her. She stood there some
moments until another star appeared
higher up against the roof ridge-the star
she was looking for. But here the glass
pane before her eyes became presently
dim within moisture. She was Obliged
to rub it out with her handkerchief-ye
somehow it soon became again clouded.
At which she turned sharply away, and