Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-04-10

trifle gray.
When Carstairs pressed the bell next
day at the house in Eaton Square the
grayness was still about his mouth.
But when he gravely asked If Mrs. VII
| licrs was at home he was startled at
| the calmness with which he spoke the
name. 1t was it's unfamiliarity, its to-
| tai lack of personal sound, that struck
him most.
He passed upstairs and vaguely heard
himself announced. Then Joan's voice
crossed the silence. and everything else
| became subservient to that.
"Joan!' he said. 1t was his greeting
of yesterday. but it came spontaneous
smiled.
Yes, Peter; just the same Joan. Now
must give you my best chair. and you
must talk"
Taking his hand, she drew him across
the room.
He dropped into the seat and sat
staring at bowl Of roses by his side.
All that he had meant to say seemed
futile and absurd.
Tea. Peter?'
please"
She carried the fragile cup across 10
him and stood looking down. Peter"
she said something has happened.
can feel it hanging about in the air."
Carstairs looked gloomily down at his
boots.
Peter. you never used to have Sc
crets from me-"
Nor you from me-" He took the cup
from her hand. You might have writ
ten and told me, don't you think?"
Told you what?"
THAT you had married"
| She stared.
But it was so long ago-the first
year you went away. Peter. it is alb
surd. You must have known"
Carstairs smilel grimly. II remem-
| Der that first year. he said. II was
up and down with fever all the time.
And you-you forgot to write
She moved back to her chair. You're
L u
blushed. Il did write when dad died. :"
Her voice fell.
when your father died?" He pass
ed his hand over his hair. Cad, | have
dropped out of things. l never heard"
He looked at her and his face changed.
Poor, little Joan" he said. suddenly
Poor, little girl! And afterwards"
20, afterwards" She broke piece
of cake. well, you see" She look ed
straight across at him. you didn't
write and Alec turned up and-and that
was ALL"
The words came in a whirl.
There was silence while Carstars fit
ted events and their results. AT last
he laid down his cup.
"Of course" he said slowly. "you I'M
derstand that l never got the letter.
You gave me credit for that?'
Yes, Peter" there was a culver in
her voice. Il give you credit for that"
There was silence. Then he spoke
again.
You know that I've always loved
YOU" He took Il logged pleasure in
watching the color rush across her
face. Possibly it was the pleasure of
despair.
Still she was silent.
Wont you speak, Joan?"
what can | say" She moved her
spoon nervously, and again he saw the
peculiar light shining in her eyes.
Nothing, Of course He rose ab-
rupty. Are you happy here? l sup
pose woman ought to be-"
She rose as well. Her heart was beat
ing quickly and her excitement was
singing in her ears.
"WOmen are capricious. Peter
He steadied his mind. "Are you hap
by. them"
"A little lonely" she said. and her
eyes cleaned.
Il don't think l understand" he said.
She watched him for second: then
she slipped close up to him and laid
her fingers on his arm.
Long ago. Peter" she said, softly,
Il was often naughty child Dad was
often angry. You often begged me
off,"
CarStairs stcadied himself.
well, Peter" Her words caught.
Il was good to Alec with all my heart
and grateful, but" Her fingers tight
ened. but since he dieu-three months
after we were married. have prayed
every day that some time you might
come back. If it was wicked. will you
| beg me off once more!'
| Carstairs passed his fingers slowly
over her hair.
Peter, have you nothing to say?"
Nothing" he said, ''and too much"
And gently he took her in his arms
| Elmira Telegram.
| -------------------------
| 1t takes two drunkards to make one
| pair of tights.