The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-14
THE REFORMATION
OF CIRCE.
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Before Il reached them, however, the
horn OF motor car, approaching in
the opposite direction. drove them to
the side Of the road They both turned.
A slow. enigmatic smile transformed
Rans0m's face After all. there was
hope. then. The car passed them
without undue speed. but enveloped in
q cloud Of dust Derrator watched the
woman. and Ransom watched the man
who had once been his bosom friend
He saw the woman's languid curiosity
flash from her deep blue eyes Derra-'
tors arrestment of all expression. his
sudden, faint start as the woman's lips
curved into what, with longer waiting.
might have developed into a smile.
The episode. If it was to be ranked rs
such. was over.
Ransom, from his seat in the car
riage. leaned over to say a final word
MY mission, Derrator," he said.
must be written down a failure. Yet
am one Of those who cling to thin
chances. so | want you to remember
this. All that | have said remains in
tdrce for six months from today The
solitude which has brought you GER
tain measure Of madness may carry IN
its bosom its own antldote. Therefore.
I shall not despair An revolr. Derra-
tor
farewell Derrator answered with
wave Of the hand
She came to the boundary hedge a
CLEAN Of white. tall. little ghostlike
with the smooth grace Of her silent
movements. She was bareheadea: she
came to him oat OF the late twilight as
ore walking through a mist. AS she
walked she sang softly. at first TO her
self. then to him. He heard frown-
ing. He was pale and nervous
rs il true he asked, abruptly. that
You are goings"
But why nots" she answered. With
gently upraised eyebrows "One does
not come to such places as these for
always One sleeps through the night.
but the daytime ah. that is different
"You have been contented here?7
More than contented. have been
almost happy. she answered.
Then why 90 backsr he asked with
sudden ferceness in his tone. What
is there in the world SO beautiful. after
all? Here are the sun. and the sea. and
the wind II is the flower garden OF
life. Stay and pick the roses with me-
She shook her head.
II am not like that" she answered.
slowiy. Life may have its vulgarlties.
fits weariness and its disappointments.
but It Is the anly place for men and
women The fight may be sordid and
the prizes tinsel-yetit is.only the cow
ards who linger without
"stnl. You have been content here. =
he repeated. hoarsely
Content to rest. she answered. ''but
one does not sleep for ever We were.
neither OF us. born to linger in a maze
Of distractions. The contemplative life
is for the halt and MANNED Of the
world We others must carry our bur-
den into the thick of the battle"
You speak tonight jn allcgories,' he
said You mean that you viii return
to London: r
"Of course
"And leave me here. after these DAYS
together after everything
Her eyes sought his. and the mans
heart beat to passionate music.
That she mnrmured. "is as you
will. Sir Hermit Only Il Is certain
that must go. As for you-well. you
are man. 1t is for you to choose
He sprang over the low paling. She
swayed toward him with outstretched
arms Together they passed away into
the world of shadows,
You wonderful woman Ransom
murmured. What can we give YOU?
peerage in your own right. a dia-
mond tiara-y =
Don't talk nonsense she interrupt
ed. little sharply. ~The governorship
TO- Herbers was ali that asked. aud
that he has. For the rest. wonder
sometimes wonder whether do not
regret
Ransom stared at her in amazement
'Regretgr
Yes. do not believe that he is
happy
Ransom sighed medItativeiy. After
all. the ways Of women were indeed
:, mysterious
/ Pardon me. he remarked. -but that
sounds little sentimental. does It
noty'
If ii is then what thens Am too
old or too world-weary for sentimentg
Ransom was not at his ease.
you amaze me. Adelaide he said.
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