Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-04-05
By Harold MacGrath y

AS 10 that cannot say. II is hear
say. rumOr. 80 far as | know il may
be So Experience has any number Of
teachers. The trouble is we cannot
study under them all. Necessity has
been my principal Instructor. Some
times she has larruped me soundly.
though ! was a model scholar. You
will 20 to luncheon with meg'
III you will promise to dine with me
this evening" And promised
For an hour or more we chatted up
on congenial topics. He was surprls-
ingly well Informed. He had seen more
OF the world than |. though he had not
observed II so closely. AS we were
about to leave the door opened. and
Phyllis. Ethel and her husband. Mr..
Holland. entered. For a moment the
room was filled with the fragrance Of
October air and the essence of violets.
They had been in town week. They
had been doing" the Strand, so Ethel
said, and thought they would make me
q brief visit TO see how lit was done"
the foreign corresponding. Mr.. Went
worth and his wife were already domi-
ciled at B, and the young people
were going over to enjoy the winter
festivities. Phyllis was unchanged.
How like Gretchen, thought.
While Ethel was engaging my cous-
ms attention l conducted Phyllis
through the office.
"What a place to work i'm said
Phyllis. laughing. The laugh awaken.
ed a vague thrill. Dust. dust-every-
where dust. You need woman to look
after you, Jack"
As did not reply, she looked quick
ly at me, and, seeing that my face
was grave, she flushed.
Forgive me. Jack" impulsively. 81
did not think
l answered her with a reassuring
smile.
How long are you to remain in
town." | asked to disembarrass her.
I'VE leave day after tomorrow, Sat
nrday-a day or two in Paris. and
then we 20 on. Every one in New
York is talking about your book.
knew that you We're capable"
al hope every one Is buying IL said
| I, passing over her last observation.
"Was 1t here that you wrote it?'
"Oh, no. 1t was written in my
rooms under the most favorable cir
cumstances."
Il thought so. This is a very dreary
place"
Perhaps like it for that reason"
Her eyes were two Interrogation
points, but pretended not to see.
What nice eyes your cousin has,
she said, side glancing. With wo.
man it is always mans eyes.
"And his father was the man who
left you the fortuneT'
Yes" | answered, with short
laugh OF course ! had never told
Phyllis of that thousand dollar check.
"You must run over this winter and
see u.s." she said. II anticipate moth
ing but dinners, balls and diplomatic
receptions. | have never been there
1t will all be new to me. Think of see
ing Egypt, the holy lands, Russia
France and Spain and yet not seeing
the very heart of the continent! ThanE
goodness, | know the language
"And will she not be sensationT
joined in Ethel.
"a decided sensation" said |, scru
tinizing the beautiful face so near me
What If they met, as probably they
would-Phyllis and Gretchen? "Phyl
lis" said l suddenly, where were you
born"
"Where was l born?" with wonder
ing little laugh. "In America. Wher'
did you suppose"
Eden" said |. II wasn't sure, so
asked"
she said, with mock severity.
"Oh, meant Eden when it was par
adisew fastened to say.
Eyes," put in Pembroke. please g
back, Miss Landors, and begin tn
world all over again."
Phyllis" said in whisper, "hav
you ever met that remarkable affinit,
of yours" | regretted the words tn
moment they had crossed my lips.
Eyes, you are changed, as | said tn
other night" distrustfully. There i
something in your voice that is chang
ed You have grown cynical. Blu
your question was impertinent. Hav
you found yours?"
was expecting this. yes" l said
"Once thought had; now am sur
of it. Some day r shall tell you an III
teresting story"
: I'VE came up to ask you to dine wit
US this evening"" she said, trailing he
,, brown gloved finger over the dust
desk. "Ape you at liberty?"
NO: have only just met my cousi
and have promised to dine with him"
IF that is all. bring him along.
like his face"
We passed out of the fileroom.
"Phyllis, we must be going, dear,
said Ethel.
led Phyllis down the narrow stairs
A handsome victoria stood at the curl
81 shall be pleased to hear your ste
ry" said she.
1t occurred to me that the tale migl
7 not be to her liking, so | said, But
! is one of those disagreeable stories
one where all should end nicely, bt
t doesn't; one which ends leaving til
hero, the heroine and the reader di'
s satisfied with the world in general an
the author, who is fate, in particular
e l knew that she was puzzled. Sll
: wasn't quite sure that | was not refe
e ring to the old affair
!. eff the story is one | never hear
$ before" suspiciously, II should like
hear it."