Graham guardian., 1902-09-12
w HEN THE
TUNE CHANGED

slduu tuC HCluIlhJ ~ h,SAi' anu ehC
knew it.
The man was looking at her-yes, but
moodily rather than admiringly. He
had been under the spell of her beauty
for six months. He knew every line Of
the perfect profile. He could describe
every play of her features, every subtle
feminine trick that had drawn him to
her. lie spoke abruptly.
Il ought to co.
She quickcned her steps.
II beg pardon. 1t is such perfect
day that / had forgotten you were due
at the office at half past l."
He continued to sumter slowly up
the avenue, and she fell back in step
with him.
81 was not thinking of the Office
"No?"
81 was thinking of-Richmond-and
another girl"
SO there was another girl! He had
never spoken of her before.
"She is expecting me. 1 promised I
would come back the first Of the year,
and but for you should have gone
long ago"
81 am not aware that / have offered
yOu-any-apples."
They had turned a corner mechanic
ally and were following staid resi-
dence street toward the river.
"No; that is just it. The modern Eve
does not offer literal fruit. The temp.
tation is so idealized that a man does
not realize lie has fallen until the
gates of paradise swing shut upon
him."
II don't understand
"No, because you don't knOw-the
other girl. And am not sure that l
can make it clear to you. She He
hesitated. The eternal feminine was
aroused.
'Is she like me-"
"No, not at all. She is not-beauti-
full"
The girl at his side smiled into the
heart of the violets, and when she
glanced up once more he was gazing
steadfastly toward the mass of rigging
and tunnels that marked the rivers
edge. She wondered if he knew where
they were going.
and she does not make me hate my
self, as you do"
Really this was becoming interesting!
He was so ingenious, this southern
chap who wore his heart on the most
conspicuous point of his overcont
sleeve.
"She is not tall, and she does not
wear those long, trailing skirts that
look so well on you. Her hair is nei-
ther light nor dark. l don't believe
could tell its exact color. But her eyes
they're gray, and such gray! They
seem to say with her lips, Il will wait
for you--forever?
"Yes; we all say that" she said, al
most mockingly. Usually it is so ef-
fective."
He turned on her fiercely
"But you don't all mean It'll How
many times have you said itP
"AIy dear boy, that is such a per-
sOnal question:
"But you would consider it your
right to- ask me thatW
'Not at all. l know the world too
well to ask foolish questions"
There it is again, that cvnicism,
that utter lack of faith which makes
me hate myself for loving you. You
are so unworthy! believe you are the
sort of woman a man might love to
madness and then-fOrget."
Her lip curled, half in scorn, half in
amusement, at his impetuosity.
"And sheW
"a man could never forget her, no
matter to what heights he might rise
or how low he might sink"
"And yet you say she is not beautl-
full?
"Not as the world and Sunday pa
pers picture beauty"
The neighborhood was more squalld.
On the next corner they came upon 4
street piano emitting ragtime melody.
| A group of tenement children were
dancing about it. They slowed up and
watched the scene The man tossed
the Italian coin. The itinerant musi-
clan pushed lever. and the air
| changed.
The man and the girl had crossed to
the opposite corner, but as the first
| bar of the new tune f1oated toward
them the young fellow stopped sudden
ly. His face softened, the strained eX-
preston faded from his eyes, and he
gazed with yearning toward the sails
and rigging now two short blocks be.
yond.
"Then it's sing one song of my old
Kentucky homer hummed a street
urchin in harmony with the piano. The
man drew a long, full breath A han
som dashed around the corner. He
hailed the driver and helped the girl
into the vehicle.
'I've been very thoughtless to let
you walk so far" His voice was low
and rich. 1t thrilled the girl, who
made room for him beside her. mo;
am walking back"
"Shall you be up this eveningT
''No; think not. There are so many
others you will hardly miss me-and"-
"YesT
81 am going back to Richmond-and
her. Goodby."
The driver snapped his whip, and
the horse plunged forward. The girl
leaned back with sigh. Perhaps it
was worth while, after all, to be the
sort Of woman man would never for
get, even if one were not beautiful.