The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-01-23

session left her; her lips werr cnlorlcSs,
End tho roses in her cheeks turned
from red IL white. That deep. strong
voice Then had power Ia move her after
five long years. 1t was only for a mo-
ment. however. She recovered and
held out her hand.
why. Bert" she said. and her voice
was almost natural This is IL pleasant
surprise"
Her tone Of simple friendlinesS stag
gered him. for he had been quick to
note the effect his greeting had on her,
but she continued:
when did you come east:'
Six months ago. But tell me about
yourself. Are you living in New
York.
"Oh. no! am only visiting here. Ny
home is still in Omaha. and am going
back tomorrow. have been here
three whole weeks, and shall he So
glad to get back
as she perfectly indifferent:" he
asked himself. How can she he 81
matter of fact after all that has passed
between u.s.
Once he had held her i'll his arms.
kissed her forehead and her lips and
now he did not dare to even touch her
hand Could he let her 70 like this:
do you know" he continued dcspPr-
ately, Il have been thinking of you all
afternoon"
"Of me-" she questioned in a sur
prised tone.
Yes: have been reading your story.
and He came closer to her. and his
gray eyes searched hers in silence.
How we'll she remembered that lWDk-
the same look that in the old days had
seemed to read her very soul. His eyes
told her now, as they did then. all that
he would say. much that was other,
wise ineXpressiblr and her face
flushed crimson. lie had been reading
her story Into which she had put so
much of the long ago-their long ago.
What had it told him?
What do you think of it, she asked
as carelessly as she could. Harry
makes fun of my writing and says it
is
Harry" he interrupted, his face
paling.
"Yes; my husband. You remember
Harry Rogers
And then he showed Of what he was
made Yes" he answered quietly.
"but l did not know You were mar
ried''
"Why. | have been married for three
years. II you ever come To Omaha you
will come and sec lis, wont you? Har-
ry would be glad TO renew old associa-
lions. and ! want you to sec my little
boy We call him The sweet voice
tremhled and hcsitated ever so slightly.
and then she went on with brave lit
tie smile. I'VE call himBert!' The last
word was said almost in Il whisper,
and just fnr one instant her little
gloved hand rested on his. and he no.
ticed that her lips trembled. lie looked
earnestly into the blue eyes.
Il shall try To come some time" he
said gently as he held her hand for Il
moment n parting "Goodby. God bless
and keep you, little woman The old
name Slipped from his lips almost un-
awarcS.
She smiled and went out into the
gathering dusk.
Il have been dreaming" he said To
himself an hour later as he rose, with
shiver. and brushed his hand quickly
across his eyes. Il have been dream
ing. and this is the Weakening She
called her baby Bert. | wonder All,
well, women are queer" But there
was look of weary longing In the
gray eyes as he mingled with the hur
ryins crowds on broadway.
\ week later woman knclt by Il
tiny cot and strokcd a bahy'S golden
crrls. Pert, Bert she whispered.
"God bless you, dear, and make You as
happy as you deserve" Something
glistcncd on the baby's cheek. Could ii
have been tear? Perhaps she prayed
for her boy and perhaps Yes. women
are queer.