The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1906-11-17

Claudia knocked three times light
1y on the study door. making a Sigh
pause after the first tap, then iardl
waiting for the low-voiced Come,
from within, she pushed open tn
door.
"Oh, it's you" said Pauline, slanc
ang over her shoulder from her sea
I'm trent of the open fire; then sh'
smiled and added: Il ought to know
your knock by this time, but some
how | never fail to look inquiEinsIy
when the door opens.
AS If anyone but me is ever ad
United into this-I should say-un
holy of unholies," cycling Pauline
cigarette with some severity Paul
ine laughed and moved the chair be
side her a fraction of an inch.
Have one?" she asked, extending
side
Thanks, ! believe | will, said
Claudia, promptly, taking the chair
and the goldtipped cigarette at the
same time. She unloosened her fGrs,
stretched out two small feet to the
fire, and for few moments there
was silence. Then Claudia, after a
glance around the room, said, gloom
fly: Il don't see how you take all
this so calmly"
Pauline came out of her revcrie
suddenly. "All this what" she asked,
quietly. ooh, don't pretend Claudia
was inclined to be cross. These
Sr-nesh pots, you know, with cir
cuitous sweep of her hand around the
room.
Pauline turned slowly in her chair,
and followed with her eyes the wave
OF Claudia's hand. taking In for the
first time critically, as 1t were,
the rooms luxurious appointments;
its velvet rugs and costly draperies,
its pictures and bronzes, and books.
She became conscious suddenly of the
Ianguorous odOr of roses that en-
Compassed her. Then having made
the circuit her eyes rested for mo-
ment on herself as revealed by the
fireplace. She studied half curiously,
that face that looked back at her
the grave, sweet lips, the violet eyes
and brown hair; her eye followed the
lines Of her slim figure In its loose
ncgligce. and rested moment on
the patrician fingers of the hand that
held her cigarette. Then, after flick.
ing carefully the ashes from the Gig.
arctic, she turned squarely and faced
Claudia, looking earnestly at the
fresh. lovely young face. now half
mockingly revealed against the rich
Ours
Tell me, are you happy, Claudia
she asked, abruptly,
Claudia stared moment then
caught her meaning. why, yes she
band, dear little child coy home.
and all that sort of thing, If that's
what you mean. I'm not unhappy,
nor even disconnected, but" she
sighed little. Sometimes | won
der why 1t has been given to you to
be what you are-courted, admired,
cnyicd, loved" Pauline raised a
protesting hand.
Don't interrupt" said Claudia. In
sudden yehCmonCe. why We're you
chosen to be one Of the elect? al.
ways knew you liked to write and
al that-so did l. You and | were
girls together. with the same as.
piratious, but never dreamed YOU
would writc-like you do, You know
Why. actually I've obtained sud
den astonishing prestige because |
Know YOU intimately I'm not the
rose. but live near It, and all that. %
and Claudia made a face.
Now, why can't write when | de
sire TO as intensely as YOU do
couldn't put any feeling into any
thinG" half bittcrly-"to save my
life And why, want TO know. can
you? In short, why are YOU the
traveller, the distinguished author
the only Pauline Courtney Trevor
the celebrity"
Pauline was silent awhile then
with sudden irrelevance:
"iow long have We been separated
ylaudia?"
ITS ten years since YOU went
abroad" said Claudia and you've
been hack--let me sce--two Years
Pauline stared meditatiycly at her
self in the long mirror, and Claudia
III another cigarette, then turned e