The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-09

Was it fancy, or did a shadow cross
his face.
I'm sure I can be agreeable with
out lying" returned Mrs. Claxton,
with distinct emphasis on the personal
pronoun.
''You could not be disagreeable, no
matter how hard you tried" answered
Kerwin, CALAMITY.
There's a Roland for your Oliver
Dorothy" said Jimmy Claxton.
Goals of fire, rather" commented
Miss Griffin. II think we're all fitted
for polite society except Mr.. kerwin.
expect to see him in his little hut be-
fore very long"
Yes, of course, I'll have a day at
home" he replied. II think I'd make
a nice hermit, don't your"
The thought of Reginald Kerwin as
hermit raised a general laugh, in
which Helen ostentatiously Joined, but
a close observer might have noticed
that her laugh had no mirth in it.
After dinner, some of them gathered
in the drawing-room and others went
to the billiard room and the den. Miss
Claxton got a book and drew a chair
up near the lamp, Kerwin watching
her narrowly.
"Oh, Reggy!" she called
Yes; what's the trouble?" he re-
| sponded, without moving.
You may bet me a cushion If you
want to-" she said, sweetly.
| He felt his heart humping madly,
| but he managed to compose himself
enough to say: II don't want to get II,
| but 1 will"
When he came back with it, she
| leaned forward and he put it between
her shoulders. why didn't you want
to get it?" she asked, softly, with her
appealing eyes fixed on his face, Don't
| you love me any more?"
His senses reeled, but he met her
gaze squarely, mol"
| She smiled, but only for a fieeting
instant. All the youth. faded from
her face and her lips whitened. The
words danced on the page of her book
as she tried to read again. His foot
steps died away, and a moment later
she heard his laugh in response to some
witty sally.
1t seemed an age before she could es-
cape. At last, under pretense of re-
/ turning her book, she got into the IL
brary, which, as she knew, was unoc-
! cupied.
There was no need to wear the mask
which she had kept on all day. She
laid her book on the table, her mouth
/ and hurt her eyes. With a sudden
impulse she shut off the current and
groped>her way to the window seat in
| the dark.
1t had stopped raining, and two or
| three timid stars were to be seen
among the clouds. Beyond, in the
| east was a white rift, where the moon
| was hidden.
Kerwin's stern, uncompromising
mol" sounded again in her ears. She
knelt by the window seat, burying her
face in the cushions and sobbed bitter
ly, her self control quite gone.
Shortly afterward he missed her and
went in search of her. He entered the
library, and, finding it dark, was about
to leave the room when the sound of
woman's sobs came through the still
ness, cutting into his heart like a knife,
He had reached the window seat be-
fore she realized that anyone was near
her.
"Helenl" he exclaimed. what are
you doing here!"
Playing roulette" she answered,
with a. desperate effort to be calm
the last resource of vacant mind"
She tried to laugh, but failed miser-
ably. Kerwin sat down on the window
seat and drew her up beside him. The
moon broke through the clouds and re-
vealed the sweet sadness of her face.
wet with the tell-tale tears.
A. great tenderness overnastered
him, and he put his arm around her.
but she started from him violently.
How dare you touch mel" she cried.
II hate you!"
Helen" he said, tenderly. my dar-
ling grill"
At the unexpected gentleness she
broke down. Like many another wo-
man, she was strong in the face of
opposition, but weak at the touch of
sympathy. Unrebuked, he turned her
lovely tear-stained face to his, and
for the second time in his life, kissed
her.
''Oh!" she sobbed, haven't you in
suited me enough?" The tears came
with rush, and she lay helpless in
his arms.
Don't darling, don't" he pleaded.
II can't stand your tears"
His kisses fell unheeded on her hair.
you've been--so horrid-to me--ail
day! You said you wanted to be a her
mit-in little hut-and you've made
me-wretched-and you said ~ you
didn't-love me-any morei"
With a great joy surging in his
heart he kissed her again.
You little wild bird" he whispered.
have I won you at last?'
Gradually she became calm. He was
soothing her as only a over can, gent
ly wiping away her tears and plead
ing passionately for pardon-and love.
She sat with her head against his
shoulder. like a tired child. in that list
less peace which comes after pain.
Tell me-" she said, was 1t true?"
WAS what true, darling?"
Everything
Don't you know, Helen, after all
these years of love and waiting?"
TELL me--deari" she pleaded
He laughed happily and drew her
close, crushing her lips TO his. Far
in the distance a clock chimed H.
I've been lying all day, sweet
heart" he said.