The Washington times., 1905-08-27

I
ten years. for twenty years, a genius
may act ike an ordinary human being.
but at the end of those years / believe
the abnormality would break out?''
Anna laughed. In what form?" she
asked
-'Oh. the form would depend upon
chance. The form of crime, the form
of an act OF folly. any form you like
to name But it's only a theory, as
Mrs. Maxtead says; you can refute it II
you like" He picked up his glass again.
Halo. Penrhyn, Talking Of geniuses
in Mrs. Maxteads presence?' Strobe
turned back % the table with a laugh.
In town, they tell me that she deals
In them-buys and sells them by the
ten. Ask her for her opinion, don't
offer yours-youn find yourself in the
wrong street.
Penrhyn's face expressed astonish-
ment. He looked from Mrs. Maxtead 70
Strobe. from Strobe back again.
Mrs. Maxtead laughed. You are
unfair. Maurice; you know that i bar
trade the moment 1 put my foot on Cor
nish SOIL
Penrhyn bent forward. For the sake
of the theorists, Mrs Maxtead.'
Just 10 score off the theorists"
Strobe laughed again.
Anna fingered her glass; her eyes
were on her friends face.
Mrs. Maxtead cast her one glance,
swiftly satirical and Teassuring, then
she turned to STROBE.
when DIR. Penrhyn goes out to din
Ler. Maurice, he leaves his medical
appliances in the consulting room. L
claim the same grace. Am L within my
rights, Dr. Penrhyn?' She looked
round with a bright smile
Penrhyn bowed solemnly and they all
laughed For Anna, there was a mo-
ment Of unaccountably swift relief
Then, with change Of course. the talk
flowed on again into new groove
The rest of the dinner sped on very
light wings; and when the end came. it
was with a distinct sense of weI:-beIng
that they pushed oack their chairs and
rose. A watt of air, family COOL met
them at the door of the drawing room;
one of the long windows stood ajar.
and the fine scent OF mignonette blew
in. mingled with sweet-briar-
Anna crossed directly TO the window.
and STROBE followed; for moment
they stood silently looking out a
hundred yards below the terrace they
could hear the sea pounding against the
rocks; near at hand they could see the
lawn with its glistening moisture and
plot of flowers; half way between the
two, they could follow the high-rose
hedge. already astar with buds Pres
emily, following a frank impulse, Anna
turned
Doesn't it seem a shame to leave it
all in three little miserable days?"
In three days? But l thought
She smiled. so did /: but Jeanne
has arranged differently She told me
this evening that We go back to town
on Thursday Doesn't it sound soon?"
Strobe said nothing. He was looking
across the lawn toward the cliff
They heard Mrs. Maxsead laugh and
Fenrhyn open the piano; then very
gently the notes of Chopin's Funeral
March poured across the room.
Strobe looked round at Anna. But
you'll come back? I'll see you again?''
Without looking at him she moved
across the room. Jeanne" she said
sharply why do you play that? You
know that I hate it"
Mrs. MsXtead stopped DIR. Penrhyn
has never buried anybody 10 il; / was
just showing him how it went" She
began bar or two of Grieg's Wed
ding March"
Anna coIored and walked to the piano.
''You are incorrigible.- She laid her
hand on the others fingers DR. Pen
rbyn. don't you think it's horrid of her
to play Of serious things like marrying
and dying, when we were all so gay?"
Penrhyn looked across the room.
THAT depends" he said. dryly Our
host might be contempla ting either one
or the other-judging by looks"
Maurice" called Mrs. Maxtead.
''your name is being taken in vain:
come and defend it." She began to play
a minuei.
Strobe moved his shoulders and
laughed, then slowly crossed the room
Al the same moment a servant entered
with coffee. and as the man passed him
he took two cups from the tray and
moved toward Anna
''Will you be out tomorrow morning."
He held out one cup.
Il think So
Before breakfast"
quite possibly" She took the cup.
Then let me take YOU for a row?
The sea viii be as smooth as glass; III
have the boat under the Cottage at S
just say you'll Gomez" His voice was
very low. but his eagerness was ap-
parent in every word.
Anna paused, then slightly. almost
imperceptiDly, bent her head in assent.
THANK you," he said below his
breath: then he turned TO the piano.
Have We leave TO smoker
Mrs A1aXtead looked up at him with
her shrewd eyes. then she looked down
at the keyboard; then. without any
obvious reason. she laughed softly TO
herself.