The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-06-15

Went away: Ana Wnen evening came he
walked over to the house again.
She was playing the piano again, but
this time alone. She turned around
& as Kirk entered and smiled as if she
were glad to see him, and before he
had time to think of any possible shy.
ness he was talking about his pros
poets, the places he expected to visit.
the methods he was planning to use.
AS the talk went on Dorothy Gilbert
grew more interested. Kinks voice had
= something to do with it. But asid.
from that he was at his best while
talking about his life work. Dorothy
forgot that he was a t%heologue. Sew
eral times she was startled at her re-
Spouse to his enthusiasm. He had
planned an original trip abroad, and
the details of what he intended to do
reused her native intensity to see re-
suits.
But right in the midst of his explana-
ton of what he expected to do in Lon
don Kirk paused.
81 heard you playing the Traume-
rel when l came in, Miss Gilbert. Will
you please play 1t again."
Dorothy looked surprised at the alb
rupt change, but without a word went
to the piano and began. Kirk knew
. enough about music to know that she
played well, better than any one he
had ever heard.
, When she finished, she turned about
and said: You will hear some good
music while you are abroad, Mr.. Kirk.
The Germans, especially. furnish the
people with the very best music in the
parks and gardens at a very small
price,"
She suddenly colored deeply as she
thought he might imply that she was
thinking of his poverty, of his inability
to hear expensive music in expensive
places. If he thought of it, he made
no sign that she noticed. But he said:
81 shall never hear any better music
than l have heard tonight"
The minute he had said it he felt the
same timidity seize him that came over
him the evening before. But it passed
away quickly, and, to his relief, he felt
a certain inward strength and indomi-
table courage fill him. Dorothy was at
first amused at the compliment; then
she was suddenly excited by it. Kirk
was as simple hearted as a child. He
had revealed his secret in the tone and
manner of his words. 1t was the last
thing in the world he had expected to
do when he came. But greater and bet
ter and wiser men than Malcolm Kirk
have done as he did.
He rose at once and walked straight
over to the fireplace. On the mantel was
a miniature of Dorothy, painted by a
New York artist, a young woman who
was famous for such work.
81 have no right'-kirk spoke with
out a tremor-''but if l take this and
keep it for a year sacredly to guard it
from every eye but my own and never
to speak of it and then return it when
l come back
She was SO surprised that her self
possession failed her. Kinks hand
was on the miniature with a mastery
that Dorothy noticed even at that mo-
ment.
"You are not unwilling? l make no
claim. l have none. l simply shall
keep it for a year. Perhaps the con-
slant sight of it will prove to me how
hopeless
The man paused and looked straight
at Dorothy. There was something so
hungry and at the same time so unaf-
fected in his look that again Dorothy
was s%peechless. He took the picture,
and 1T lay in his great palm a moment,
and then his fingers closed slowly owe
1t. He looked up at her again. She
had turned away and was nervously
tracing lines with her fingers on the
table.
Il have no excuse to offer for what l
have DONE" he said, and there was
that in his voice that made Dorothy
look up.
II realize all the distance between
us. 1t will do you no harm to let me
have the picture and may do me good"
! Dorothy at last found her voice.
II have not let you have it. 1t seems
to me you have taken it anyway"
"You did not say no." replied NAL
com Kirk firmly. Then he paused as if
waiting an answer. And again she was
silent. He moved toward the hall. 81
love you, Dorothy Gilbert" he said,
and he looked almost handsome as he
said it. He stood there an instant, and
then he was gone, and Dorothy re-
manned like n who has felt some
great emotion, not yet measured. She
had refused to let Francis Raleigh
have the miniature. He had begged
for it. He also was going abroad to
finish his studies in art. But when he
asked for the picture she had told him
no, and he had gone away without a
definite answer to his natition that she
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