The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-10

I Robert Karl, wearied and surfeited, dancing
attendance on the gay, untiring Lorene rose
before him. ITO jog along" had soothing
sound, but vision of Cleva's laughing, girl
| ish face made his jaws set determinedly
1t rained during the night. Next day was
cool and clear.
| "oh. me! Oh, my" said Mrs. Karl. ..Why
am not seer? If had known it was to
be such charming day, would nave had
our dance tonight. By Friday it will prob
ably be as hot blazes."
What's the odds?" said Cleya. II can
| dance if it registers hundred"
so can L. said Roy-'.with you.''
| Then J. shall give you the first and last
dance and two in between she said, with
gay laugh, CHANGING from under her long
| ashes at Harding
IN take the rest he replied promptly,
II 1t registers two hundred
| FRIDAY night simply bIazed forth heat
put CleVa and crowd Of young folks danced
as merrily as though Jack Frost was in the
air.
Harding noted wondrous sparkle IN
| CleVas eyes as she and Roy swung around
the room, and he looked sadly disgruntled
as he Joined Lorene Karl
| This is our Dance he said lstlessly.
| GO change your collar was the answer
] land put some talcum powder on your neck
| Then we will sit under the trees-sit nat
walk. <
When he returned he asked curiously.
| Where did you learn so much wisdom?''
| - was married ten years." she said care
| lessly
| She gazed at him contempatively as he
| tilted back against the tree and silently
! smoked a cigar. The bright moonlight fell
| full upon him. Tall, broad, handsome be
| yet looked his age.
| You have saved my life,'' he said laugh
| ingly as they sauntered back.
"And my own. This is one of the things
that's not worth the price,
AS he came for their next waltz she shock
| her head and laughed.
Come said he. We'll risk one turn"
| He put his arm around her and made
move to start, then stood suddenly still and
stared down at the shapey brown head, his
own giddy with the thrill that held him
| He drew her closer. AS the music stopped
ne released her with reluctance he could
scarcely define
II enjoyed that Dance" she said,
IL was worth the price, then?' bantering-
FULLY she uttered softly
ohtll oayoreak he sat on the veranda smok-
ing and thinking. He tried to adjust the
| Lorene Karl he had known for eleven wears
WIN the woman he had discovered during
| the past week. He had condemned her for
marrying for money. Though gay, even auda-
| clous, she had never coquetted
AS ne danced with Cleva his mind hac
been alert to her beauty to her bubb1ins
| spirits, her glorious youth, but as he held
| Lorene Karl there had come sudden rom
| tent, bl1ssfully human and spiritually tender
| in one.
In the weeks that followed he found him
self in tumult of thought that made him
| aostracted and erratic. Now he lounged be-
side Mrs. Karl, and, again. painting and ner
| spring, he followed where Cleva led.
| Inc day before they were to leave the en-
| IRE party went for a down the bay
MRS. harl, smiling and picturesque, stood
under the trees and waved them good-by
| MIS-. Karl is a DEAR said Cleva conf
piacently but hope I'll never get SO fogy.
| she has an awfuly stupid time. II she
would only exert herself a little, she could
| nave as much fun as any one"
couple OF hours later Mrs Karl sew
Harding jump from rickety buggy and
come coolly toward her
! Where are the others?" she cried. as
frighted. "
ION Rogers Point, dancing" he answered
seating himself
The disguised tone of his voice made her
| laugh.
Well" she asked, as he did not explain.
what brought you back?"
You, he answered, putting his hand on
hers.
Her eyes still questioned
| For the last week I couldn't find minute
TO talk to you, Lorene, and to-day got des-
perate only in the past month have I dis
| covered that I'm the biggest ass in III.
country and you the dearest woman in ex-
| lstence You opened my eyes. then my hear:.
Now intend to make you love me-"
! But If you cannot?" she said In a low tone
| Il must!' impetuously. 81 must log
along with you, dear, or else-no; there car.
be no else!' he cried, taking hold of her and
| Kissing her determinedly. II will make YOU
| love mel"
Its all done,' she murmured 1--WE loved
you for eleven years."
| A laugh, daring something In her eyes,
made him suddenly understand.
! You plotter!' he cried. ''You-you?"
! Eyes, she whispered. joining in his happy
laugh,e'I did!'