The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1902-11-22
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! SS"AFTER r,
3 FIVE frances
3 YEARS" Wilson
Copyright, 1901, by Frances Wilson
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Wen have tea. think" she said in
meditative manner, leaning her check
against two fingers of her left hand.
and perhaps some of those little cakes
the ones that are So tempting on the
outside ana all emptiness on the in
side"
From her tone lorrimcr understood
that she meant 10 intimate that the
artistic unities demanded cakes Of this
description. He translated the order
into man talk for the benefit Of the Oh
scquious waiter and then asked with
the air OF one who was used to being
made a coutidant Of:
What's the trouble? Because I've
noticed that when YOU order tea it is
an infallible sign of disturbed con
science
There was a fash of mirth in her
eyes as they met his. ana She clasped
her hands OH the edge of the table aud
leaned toward him, saying in whce
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 II isn't necessary 10
dot ones rs and cross ones IS"
Having paid him his handsome com
pliment, she beamcd at him across the
narrow table and eXpcctuntly awaited
10 follow.
And the other fellow" hc laughed
the one who shares with me the proud
Distinction -
Hes the trouble" came the answer
In pathetic voice. Then with sudden
vivacity: Did you ever notice that
there's something about the movements
OF the average waiter that reminds one
of Spenccrian writing There's Il flow
ing grace in the way that he removes II
dish cover, flourish In the way that
he sets down n plate. which marks him
as Il human exponent of the Sp"uc"rian
theory
Their order had arrived, and it was
not until she had poured the tea that
she spoke again. Then she burst out
Indignantly;
Nobody but a dreamer would think
OF such 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 II more accurate statement put
In her companion, with n snayc smile,
unless. indeed my experience has
been unusual"
You do understand" she smiled
"You certainly do. Now you would
know, wouldn't you. that II woman
We're fond of you. say when leg o
mutton sleeves were in fashion, she
might probably would feel very dif
ferent by the time that the coat sleeves
were de rigueurt"
Her face wore the hopeful expression
OF person who bas at last found
perfectly rational human being who
will see things as they are Lorrimcr
drained his cup and set II down deliD
eratcly before he replied. Then he
said.
Don't YOU think you would better
begin at the bcginningi You're n trine
lncoherent, you know"
That's just it, There wasn't any bc.
ginning And evidently he thinks that
there hasn't been any rud. 1t was all
SO elusive and intangible and so sad!
He left so much to the Imagination |
think that was part of bis fhScina
ton for me There was look IN his
eyes at times thnt wrung my heart,
and from pity | drIfted by degrees into
something morp
when we parted, knew that we
were sworn to an eternal friendship
sort Cf ashes of roses affair you know
and III my own heart was fully de.
termincd neye- 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 deprecatngly.
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 a hid
den sorrow"
The occupants Of an adjoining table
rose to go and her attention was en.
crossed for a moment by love Of
gown Then she came back to Lori
mer and her story
II suppose that what happened was
lust-other men" she said ruefuly.
"The spirit was willing, but the flesh
was weak.
What in the name Of goodness il
troubling you them asked Lorrimer,
thoroughly mystIhcd.
why. had note from him this
morning, II" viii be IN town next
wednesday Ills wife Is dcnd"
She composed her face TO an expires.
sion Of perfect proprjety before making
this announcement though there was
faint twitciing Of her lips
"Ah.h-h, see. You fear that he IL
coming to claim his pound Of hrsh and
you re- not Of the same mind that you
were when L was promised
She nodded
ITS not quite nice Of me to tell you,
but we're very old friends, and Im
really troubled He's such nice fpl
low-Ju a thoroughgoiug idcalist and
| know be thinks Of me as cherishing
his memory. and Of course | DO she
added quickly only not III just tie
way he thinks Hes had 50 much sad
ness III - lie that | cannot bear to
,,i,., hI,,. u4ft, want him Ia apa for