The San Francisco call., 1904-12-18

pity born in him. from the new ewes
Nith which he had looked on the boy
IN ms mothers arms She could not
miss the expression Of il
Is That the best we can try for?''
l, nc p" nlsoered. There was something
else once, Sibylla."
he had not moved. vet She raised her
hands as though TO check or beat off
MS approach. She was afraid. All that
the path he again beckoned her on had
meant 70 her caLie 10 her mind. If she
AoioMed him along il would it not be
cHce more TO WOO disillusionment, to
Svutt disaster, 10 invite that awful
SnanSe TO bitterness ana hatred?
You are you and ] am -" she pro-
tested. TIT is impossible. Grantley."
his face assumed its old obstinate
squareness as he heard her.
- don't want that" she murmured.
Il try TO be friends We can Under
stand one another as friends, make
allowances, give and forgive. Friend
Grantley"
You have no love left for ne?" he
asked, passing by her protests.
For months past I've hated YOU
know that And you have no love
left for me2''
She looked at him again. with fear
and shrinking in her eyes.
y 4
You can't have forgotten, How can you
wish me 10 love you row. 1t would
be horrible for both of US. You may
forgive me, as I do you-what 1 may
have TO forgive; but how can we be
lovers AGAIN. How can we-with that
IN the past?"
The past is the past" he said calm
ly.
She walked away from him a little.
When she came back in a minute or
so, he saw tl-at she was in strong agi-
tation.
That's enough to-night-enough for
all time, if You 50 wish" ne said gently.
only / had 10 tel you what WAS IN
my heart"
How could you, Grantley?"
Il haven't said il was easy. I'm
coming 10 believe that the easy things
aren't worth much"
You could love me again2"
I've never ceased TO love you-only
! hope / know bit more about how
70 do il now"
She stood there. the picture of dis
tress and cf fear At last she broke
out.
% All. I've not told you the real thing.
/ m afraid, Grantley, I'm afraid, l dare
not love you. Because I loved you so
beyond all reason and all-all sanity.
ali this came upon us. And-and
edge. She came a step nearer To him
holding out her hands beseechingly
Friends, friends. Grantleyi" she i'm
ploreo- Then we shall be safe. And
our love shall be for Frank. You'll get
60 love Frank, won't yOu?"
Frank and I are beginning to hit it
Oft capitally," said Grantley cheerful
" We'll, ] shall go in now; we mustn't
leave Christine alone all the evening"
He took her hand and kissed it. so
were friends2" he asked
I'll try" she faltered. Yes, surely
We can manage that"
BE turned away and left her again
gang down on the village and Old
Mil House. He lOunged into the draw
ing--Oom where Christine sat. with an
easy air and a smile on his face.
A beautiful evening, isn't it?'' asked
Christine with a tiny shudder. as she
hitched her chair closer to the bit of
bright FIRE and threw family protest
ing glance at the open window.
Beautiful weather-and quite set
tied. / shall enjoy my holiday down
here"
'Oh. you're going TO stay down here.
and going TO have holiday. are you?"
she asked with lift of her brows
Well hardly a holiday, after all.
I've got a Job TO do" he answered as
he lit his cigarette. Rather a hard job
al my time of life"
rs it2 What is the jOb2''
I'm going courting again-and a
very pretty woman too" he said
A rather tremulOus smile came on
Christine's face as she looked at him.
Its rather nice amusement isn't
it?" she asked. And you always had
plenty OF self-conceit''
why, hang il. I thought il was just
the opposite this time," exclaimed
Grantley in whimsical annoyance
Christine laughed.
I won't be unamiable- I'll call it
self-cOnfdence. if you insist"
He took a moment TO think over her
new word.
Yes, in the end I suppose it does
come TO that. Look here. Christine; 1
wish the people who tell you you
ought TO change your nature would be
obliging enough TO tell you how TO do
e."
Christine's answer might be consid-
cred encOurag ging.
After all there's no need to over
DO the change" she said. And there's
one thing in which you'll never change;
you'll always want the best there is"
mo harm in having a try for it
as soon as you really see it." he an
swered. as he strolled off to the smoI-
ing room.