The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-09

without emotion, even II ] didnt-if ]
didn't think so much Of your brother and
sister" he concluded, lamely.
His manner nettled her.
You're sure you're not influenced by
personal interest. she inquired.
The kindly shadows hid his face
NO he said, judiciilly, after a moment
of deep Thought. I'm SURF I'm not. |
shall never ask you again. That part
# my life is all sealed up and for he present
forgotten. Ia the after years hope II Will
be pleasant memory. | am fully sat sfed
it is happiness enough to have loved you,
even wit bout return.
His voice sank and the last words were in
a husky whisper. There was no sound
for moment save the rain heating against
the windows, then Helen rose, with a soft
! silken rustic, and came toward him.
Thank you" she said, gently, "fot
| a great deal
He made no reply. and inwardly blessed
he darkness that sheltered him. She was
| trembling, for his Use Of The past tense had
| thrill q her with sudden pain. lump came
| into her throat and she went slowly out Of
the room He sighed heavily she closed
| the door
Al dinner Kerwin was graciousness itself
TO every one else. but he did not speak to
Helen She carefully avoided him, but
no one seemed To notice it.
He was eXtraNagantly gay in his manner
and no one would have guessed that he
| had hesrtache, 80 well WAS II concealed
Mrs Claaton and laughed AT the jests Of
his host to such good purpose that the irri-
tations Of the morning were quite for
| gotten.
Il don't see that this is any different
| from other dinners" said Miss Jeffres.
! meditatively We're getting on all right
even If We are speaking the truth. You're
wrong. Mr.. kerwin--veracity wouldn't
make us a nation of hermits, each In his
own little hut.
Was IL fancy. or did a shadow cross his
face?
I'm sure cen be agreeable without ly-
ing" returned Mrs. Claxton. with distinct
emphasis on the personal pronoun
| You could not I've disagreeable. no matter
how hard you tried answered kerwin
CALAMITY.
There's a Roland for your oliver. Dor
othv," said Jimmy Claxton.
! Goals ~ fire. rather, commented Miss
/ Griffin. Il think we're all fitted for polite
! society EXCEPT Mr. Kerwin ! expect to
see him in his little hut before very long
! Yes, of course, IL have day at home,
| he rerlied i think / d make a nice hermit
1 don't youf"
| The thought of Reginald Kerwin as a her
| init raised general laugh. In which Helen
| ostentatiously Joined, but 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 20 the billiard
| room and the den. Miss Claxton got a book
| and drew oh air up near the lamp, herwtn
| watching her narrowly.
| oh Reggy," she called
/ Yes, what's the trouble he responded,
| You NAV get me cushion II you want
| to, she Siid rwestly
1 He felt his heart humping inadly. but
! he managed 10 compose himself enough to
| ray
Il don't want to get It. bu, will
| When he came back with IL. she leaned
| forward and he put II between her shoulders
Why didn't you want to get IL? she asked
softly, with her appealing eyes fixed on his
face Don't you love me any more;'
| His senses recled, but he met her gaze
! squareIy NO"
! She smiled but only for a heeting in
stant All the youth faded from her face
and her lips whitened. The words danced
| on the page of her book a. she tried TO
read again His footsteps died away.
| and moment later sh" heard his laugh
| In Response to some witty sally.
| II seemed ali age before she could escape
| Al last under pretence of returning her
| book. she got into the library, which. she
| knew, was unoccupied.
There was no need to wear the mask
| which she had kept on all day. She laid
| her book on the table, her mouth quiverng
! pitifully. The lights swan and hurt her
| ewes. With a sudden impulse she shut
on the current and CROPPED her way to the
| window seat in the dark
| II had stopped raining and two or three
| tin'd stars were To be seen among the
! clouds Beyond, in the east. was a white
! rift where the moon was hidden
kerwin's stern, Incorporating Mo-"
| sounded again in her ears She knelt bv
the window seat burying her face in the
! cushions and sobbad bitterly, her self-con-
| troll quite gone
Shortly afterward he missed her and
went in search - her He entered the
| library and finding II dark was about to
| leave the room when the sound Of a woman's
! suh- came through the stiffness cutting
! into hl- heart like a knife He had reached
| the window seat before she realized that
! any one was near her
Helen" he exclaimed. What are you
! doing hereI'
| desperate effort 20 be- cam-'thc las, re-
source Of n vacant mind
| She tried to laugh, but failed misera bly
| korwin sat down on the window seat and
| drew her up beside him. The moon broke
! through the clouds and revealed the sweet
| sadness Of her face, wet with tcll-tale tears
| great tenderness overmastered him.
| and he put his arm around her but she
started from him violently.
How dare you touch me-" she cried.
Il hate you"
Helen" he said tenderly. My darling
girl"
A. the unexpected gentlcncss she broke
| down Like many another woman she
| was strong IN w" race OF opposition, but
weak al the touch of sympathy. Unre-
| huked. he turned her lovely 'ear-stained
face 10 his and for the second time in his
| life kissed her
oh" she sobbed. haven't you insutcd
mo enough?" The tears came with "A rush.
| and she Law helpless in his arms.
| Don't, darling, don't" lac pleaded. Il
! cant stand your tears.
His kisses fell UNDECIDED on her hair.
! You We bcen--so horrid- to me all day,
| You snid you wanted to be a hermit In a
| little hu-and you've mad" me wrctched
| and You said-you didn't-lovc me-any
| more"
With a great Joy surging in his heart he
| kissed her again.
| you little wild bird" he whispered
| have ! won you at lastF'
| Gradually she became calm. He was
| soothing her n only lover can. gently
| wiping away her tears and pleading pas
| sionately for pardon and love. She sat
| with her head against his shoulder, like n
| tired child. In that liStlcss peace which
| comes after pain
Tell mo, she said was it true7"
| Was what true, darling?"
| Everything
Don't You know, Helen, after all these
| years of love and waitingH"
| Tell me dear" she pleaded
| He laughed happily and drew her close.
crushing her lips tn his. Far in tho dis
| tanc" IA clock chimed L..
Eve deem lying all day, sweetheart. ="