The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-10-29
'"AFTER nv
FEVE Frances
YEARS Wilson
@ Copyright, 1901, by Frances Wilson
observation-disclosures

Q Copyright, 1901, by Frances Wilson Q
oococococococoo0o0o0ooo0oC
"We'll have tea, Think she said In
a meditative manner leaning her cheek
against two fingers of her left hand,
land perhaps some of those little cakes
the ones that are so tempting on the
outside and all emptiness on the in
side"
From her tone Lorrimer understood
that she meant to intimate that the
artistic unities demanded cakes OF this
description. He translated the order
into man talk for the benefit of the OBJ
sequious waiter and then asked with
the air of one who was used TO being
made Il conildant of:
whats the trouble? Because I've
noticed that when you order tea 1t is
an infallible sign of disturbed con
science"
There was fash of mirth In her
eyes as they met his, and she clasped
her hands on the edge of the table and
leaned toward him, saying in a whee-
ding way
you're the greatest comfort to me.
You're the only man ! know, ever have
known, save one, who always under
stands! With you 1t isn't necessary TO
dot ones Is and cross ones is"
Having paid him this handsome COM
pliment. she beamed ut him across the
narrow table and expectantly awaited
the question which she knew was sure
TO follow.
'And the other fellow" he laughed,
the one who shares with me the proud
distinction p
Hes the trouble" came the answer
in pathetic voice. Then with sudden
yiyacity: Did you ever notice that
there's something about the movements
of the average waiter that reminds one
of Spencerlan writing? There's flow
ing grace In the way that he removes
dish cover, "A flourish In the way that
he sets down plate which marks him
as a human exponent of the Spencerian
theory"
Their order had arrived, and 1t was
not until she had poured the tea that
she spoke again. Then she burst out
Indignantly:
Nobody but Il dreamer would think
of such a thing as continuing a ro-
nance from the point where he left it
five years before. It's absurd, you
know she continued candidly. "A
persons feelings change from year to
year,
From season to season would seem
to me more accurate statement" put
In her companion, with a suave smile.
unless, indeed, my experience has
been unusual"
You do understand" she smiled.
"You certainly do. Now you would
know, wouldn't you. that If woman
were fond of you, say when leg o
mutton sleeves were In fashion, she
might-probably would-feel very diff
ferent by the time that the coat sleeves
were de rigueurT'
Her face wore the hopeful expression
of a person who has at last found a
perfectly rational human being who
will see things as they are. Lorrimer
drained his cup and set 1t down delib-
erately before he replied. Then he
said:
Don't you think you would better
begin at the beginningf You're triiie
incoherent, you know"
That's just it! There wasn't any be-
ginning! And evidently he thinks that
there hasn't been any end 1t was all
SO elusive and intangible and so sad
He left so much to the Imagination |
think that was part of his fascna-
ton for me. There was Il look In his
eyes at times that wrung my heart,
and from pity | drifted by degrees into
something more
when we parted, | knew that we
were sworn to an eternal friendship
sort of ashes of roses affair, you know
and in my own heart | was fully de
termined neve" to marry. | was going
to be one of those sweet, sad, strong
women that you read about"
She screwed her forehead into knot
and looked at him deprecatlngly
What happened" he inquired In
sympathetic tone. you haven't mar
ried, 1t is true, but | have never con-
nected you In my thoughts with n hid
den sorrow"
The occupants OF an adjoining table
rose to go, and her attention was en-
crossed for a moment by a love Of
gown. Then she came back to Lori
mer and her story.
II suppose that what happened was
just-other men, she said ruefully.
''The spirit was willing, but the flesh
was weak"
what In the name of goodness Is
troubling you them? asked Lorrimer.
thoroughly mystifed.
"Why, l had a note from him this
morning! He will be In town next
Wednesday. His wife Is deadw
She composed her face to all express
sion of perfect propriety before making
this announcement. though there was
faint twitching of her lips.
"Ah-h-h! / see. You fear that he Is
coming to claim his pound Of flesh, and
you're not of the same mind that you
were when 1t was promised"
She nodded.
Its not quite nice Of me to tell you
but we're very old friends, and I'm
really troubled. He's such a nice fell
low-just thoroughgoing idealist, and
know he thinks OF me as cherishing
his memory, and of course / do" she
added quickly, "only not In just the
way he thinks. He's had so much sad
| ness In las life that | cannot bear to
give him pain. I want him to see for
himself that l am different now.
thought of fixing myself up like per-