New Ulm review., 1901-12-18
! THE VOICE OF
! AN ECHO : s;s;, s;s rs.,: g 70

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Out of the window of the old wooden
bridge whose hooded tunnel threw a
dark bar across the moonlit mountain
stream, man and woman stood
looking into the pine clad amphithea-
ter 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, contrasted with the awful splen-
dor of the granite gorge, buttressed
and pinnacled in every rising tier, un-
der the flood of ghostly light, and if
the only object of tie couple in coming
lere was to see the view they were
imply repaid. From their conversa-
tion since they left the hotel, which
now lay behind them hidden by a
fringe of the forest, it would have been
difficult to say that this was not their
only object. The small talk of ac-
I quaintanceship, friendship and even
love is within certain limits and among
people habituated to each others con-
ventions practically indistinguishable.
Frequently it is difficult to decide why
the degrees should be of so much con-
sequence to the parties.
1t was knowledge of the world and
J the good temper of experience that
kept Mrs. Hugonin and Arthur Kin
naird on perfectly unruffled terms with
each other. The conviction that he had
long ago forgiven her, gratifying as it
once had been, was now of such long
standing that it had become confused
with her earlier and less justifiable
conviction that he ultimately would
forgive her. Thus secure in vindica-
ton. the lust for which the dying Eve
bequeathed to all her sex, Mrs HUI
gonin could without the slightest re-
FICTION upon her WidoWhood accept
Oneo more the companionship of man
who tolerated life as comfortably as
Arthur Kinnaird. The imminence of
the clmacteric 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, lean
ing her elbows on the ledge. gaZed
without speaking at the haunted defile.
Kinnaird gave little laugh behind her.
Margaret" he said. upon my word. it
seems as if we were boy and girl
again."
| "Why. particularly?' she asked,
without turning her head.
ooh. all this summer" be replied.
She did not ask him to be more ex-
plicit. ''It is certainly an ideal place."
she said with half sigh. "Yet it is
ture restore ones youth. One may feel
young again. but one is not really any
the less dispassionate."
~ am not so sure Of that" said Kin
naird. II should like to argue the point
with you-if it could be argued"
"You men are all alike" said Mrs.
Hugonn with an inconsistent shrug of
her shoulder. You give up to logic
what was meant for conversation"
Kinnaird stroked his mustache
thoughtfully for a moment "And so
you think me dispassionateW he OBJ
served.
"Youy" said Mrs. Hugonin, turning
with delightful laugh. "Why, Ar
thur, there isn't a sentiment or a con-
viction to- whose support society could
| order you to contributor
eff you mean that" he said slowly,
sit is quite as feared"
GAS you feared?''
ttYou still believe me capable Of as
| much mistaken self control as once
was. And" he added calmly, Il don't
wonder"
Though 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 petnlant
with your past? You provoked with
your recollections? Indeed. l have
mistaken you.'
He laughed. but gently. "Come," he
said. you have no right to be ironical.
Though l once let you go, it was be-
cause I thought you wished to be re
leased
upon my word. Arthur" said Mrs.
! Hugonin. II did not know you were
serious or should not have taken this
as joke"
81 am entirely serious
! "Really? said Mrs Hugonin, and
she spoke with some irritation. Il
thought all had been forgotten and for
given years ago." Then she drew her.
self up proudly. "Can it be that after
all this time you have conceived the
childish whim Of forcing me to a-to
an apology?"
/ 'No-hardly that
'T am ready to make IT." she went
| on. "But If do"
Kinnaird moved to the window be-
side her and laid a hand on her arm.
Ip1'You are much mistaken" he said, in
the undisturbed voice which so pro-
voked her. you must indeed think
that am taking leave Of my years. I