, 1897-03-12
so stupid and forpetfnl os m., of

done! no II could hold a person TO n
repented-of promise bnt,-well. rythiug
seemed to make it easier FOR me. moth
ing ever will! If only they got on bet
ter. poor souls! If was a religious
woman, could pray for them. but I'm
not good; I'm just a soured. discomfort
ed old bag. When he"
Christie" | cried softly. are Won
awake"
Il a just thinking, Xii" called
back Christie airily. and | have come to
the conclusion that perhaps my chum
isn't so happy as she pretends. She al
ways was a bit OF a humbug, now |
come TO think of it. OF course. if she is
fool enough 10 care still. she is not to
be pitied, but- If you can, Kit.
without loss Of dignity, you know. make
it up with Tom. perhaps it would be as
we'll"
"lt | were that woman" said slow,
ly, and with emphasis-my heart was
sore. so sore. for Christie!-"I should
want to kill that girl"
Would you?" she queried geniallv:
would you, really. Oh, | believe she
IS a charming little creature, Now that
you suggest it, Kit, | suppose it would
be more natural for my friend to hate
her, but-oh, well, you see the little wo-
man is unusually eccentric; quite a
crank, in fact"
My poor Christie! Christie, who, aft
er long years of waiting, had nothing
left for her but to gather up the broken
threads of her life, and make the best
Of the tangle for very pride's sake.
Christie-who does not hate the girl.
Christie, who, if only she was good
enough. would like to pray that the
happiness denied to her might be theirs.
Christie. for the remainder of the
night, slept the sleep OF the just, while
| lay awake and cried.
would write to Tonic dear, good,
faithful Tom. whose only fault was that
he was o fond Of me, and therefore
absurdly jealous. My pride was false.
so | would pocket it meekly, answer
his pleading letter. and bring him back
TO me.
But would he come? Surprising he
had got disheartened at waiting for the
forgiveness that never came? Suppos-
ing he had gone abroad. or married
some n else. like Christie's odious
man-or died? What should l do if
Tom was dead. and ii he had died with
out knowing how much | really loved
him? | could never, never. never be
patient and brave like Christie. | would
not live out a life in which Tom had no
part. Oh. would the night never pass
away. and the day come on which |
might send for Tom?
before | was dressed. She was rather
cross with me, seemed worried, and said
she was in too great hurry to wait for
any breakfast. Christie neve takes
care of herself. and there is no one to
take care of Christie-no one to bother
herself whether she eats or starves,
whether she is sick or we'll. So she put
the breakfast into the fender to keep
hot for me and went out fasting.
And I-selfish wretch that | am
ran into the little dining Dom to write
my telegram: like Christie, | was in too
great a hurry to think OF eating. Then
crying, laughing, glad and miserable.
reproachful and %repentant, all in one
BREATH found myself making an alb
ject donkey OF myself in Toms arms.
~ on have Gomez" l gasped. You
have not married any one else? Oh,
Tom-Tom-dear Tom. last night
made up my mind that you were dead
Little goose" whispered Tom, his
dark mustache tickling my ear. You
can't trust me much if you thought |
should marry another girl and die OF the
shock the very first time you got annoy
ed with me. Don't cry and laugh to-
gether. kit-one thing at a time, dear
I'm hysterical. Tom" l explained.
wei, pei maps Sou NV J"'t q oiN
agreed Tom. %'Supposing you sit down
and have your breakfast; that queer lit
lie chum of yours came and showed it
inside the CRATE half an hour ago. Rum
little woman she is! | think she was a
bit annoyed nj my turning up at such
an unholy hour OF the morning; but |
had to come early, couldn't wait till
later, darling!'
Good boy" I murmured tearfully.
"She charged in here, and fused
around for a Bit" continued my lover,
putting the bacon and eggs on the ia
BILE, stared at me as if l had nine heads
told me you would soon be in to have
breakfast with me, and whisked out of
the room and fiat as II the affairs Of the
nation were awaiting her immediate at
%tention. Was she crusty when you ask
ed if l might come here, Kit?"
81 didn't ask her." l replied; you see
I had no idea you would be here this
morning, and"
Toms face darkened, and he pulled
a telegram from his pocket.
Como to one hundred and eleven,
Chelsea Mansions, as early as you can
tomorrow" he read. 81 want you.
Kit Did you think I would linger aft
er receiving that the very last thing
last nieht?"
tHh~yckto rnsrrk ry0 ~ont rntI