Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-12-18

was self forgetful and unrestraino6
Their old positions were reversed
Allce was absorbed in the uncon-
sclous revelation of her longing for
MS sympathy. Lawrence grew seri-
Gus; he found himself surprised in
10 a conversation that was both init
mate and emotional.
Leaning forward and listening in
tently, his hand rested for a min
ute near to Alice's arm on the
table. With a rapid movement. un-
like herself, she clasped both her
hands round his.
"Lal, dear" she murmured.
everything has changed-mv life
the world-but you are the
samer'
just the samev he repeated.
pushing his hair back from his fore.
head. But d'you know. Alice 7
haven't told YOU anything for The
interview. have l."
Tel me now"
I'm afraid YOU have heard If all
before, he went on after a pause.
struggles, tours, the deadly com
monplace. But when my chance
came at last. three years ago. il was
allowing TO woman's goodness
woman of great charm. great tai
ent. | don't know how to EXPRESS
II, but she seems to draw one into
an atmosphere of color and fra
GRANGE; not strictly beautiful. hut in
her buoyant youth like a flower in
bloom. There's "A fine sentence for
you, Alice, She was very kind 10
me from the beginning. | found
myself getting into one good thing
after another. She has ALWAYS been
popular. and people are good
enough TO rather like us both. You
must como and see my wife" said
Lawrence. II have so often told
her about New York. / want YOU
to like her am sure she will like
YOU"
The sentence ended feeblv. Alice's
face was east down i'm shadow: he
could see nothing but the dark out
line of the dropping head. There
was long silence. When Alice
moved at last. she looked inquiring-
~ at Lawrence.
Don't YOU think it is time to
go:"
"Are YOU tired ?"
"N cs, vcryl" said Alice.
"May | take YOU home?"
"No. 1t is late-it must be near
~ your time 10 return to the the
alter. l will 90 with YOU so far"
I'm afraid YOU viii have TO in
vent all sorts of things for the in
teryiew, Alice. l told YOU l was an
awful subject"
The cold rain was flicked against
their faces; the wind blew Ahce's
hair in long wisps across her ewes
as they drove along.
Il think | viii first go to the the
alter where my wife is playing" said
Lawrence.
Alice leaned back in her seat. The
streets seemed interminable. She
lCnged to be alone. At last their
cab stopped in a narrow court; she
hastily refused Lawrence's entreatv
to drive home and stood facing him
under the dim lamp over the stage
door.
Holding her hand, even though
she tried to draw it away. he thank
ed her once again for the sympathy
of the old DAYS.
Good night, goodby~ was her
only answer.
The next minute Lawrence was
running up stairs to his wife's dress
ing room in the theater. He tap
ped and opened the door at the
same time. There was a faint odor
of flowers and the bright little room
was scattered with pretty and costly
things. Mrs. Lawrence Bright had
Just arrived and was standing in
front of the glass. Her long, cling
ing dress was as delicate in tint and
line as the Malmaison carnations
at her breast; her thick, wavy hair
looked as rich in color as old gold.
and she turned to greet Lawrence
with a flashing smile. After a few
words he threw himself into a low
chair and sat thinking. In the cold
and gathering darkness of the night
now lost in shadow, now seen by
the Pickering CLEAN of the street
lamps-his heart sped after Alice.
Suddenly he looked up and met
bis wife's beautiful eyes in the glass.
A smile answered hers. Rising
quickly he threw his arms lightly
round her and stopped to lay her
bright cheek against his own. All
the shadows faded away, and Alice
with them.-Mainly About People.
The Changing Flower.