Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1906-11-15

Claudia knocked three times light
~ on the study door. making a slight
pause after the first tap. then hardly
waiting for the low-voiced Come.
from within. she pushed open the
door.
oh. it's you. aid Pauline. gianc.
ing Over her shoulder from her seat
In frUnt of the open fire. thea she
smiled and added 1 ought to know
your knock by this time. "a some
hoS I newer fail to look inquisingly
~hen the door opens
A IL anyone but me is ever ad
mittei into this-I should say-un-
holy OF unholies. eyeing Pauline's
cigarette with some severity. Paul
inc laughed and moved the chair be
side her a fraction Of an inch
Have one she asked. extending
q caSe from the taborette at her other
side
Thanks. I believe I will said
Claudia. promptly. taking the chair
and the sold-tipped cigarette at the
same time. She unloosened her furs.
HANNAAA"l NAh wv HAAAaAA AFth W AAE
FIRE. and for n few moments there
was silence Then Claudia. after a
glance around the room. said. gloom
iiy I don't see how you take all
this 50 calmly
Pauline came out Of her reverie
suddenly. All this what. she asked.
quietly -Oh. don't pretend. Claudia
- E-aHE..N - - ~
e--sesh pots. Won know. with a cir
euitous sweep Of her hand arouad the
room
Pauline turned Slowly in her chair.
and followed with her ewes the wave
Of Cia91ias had. f-king in for the
first tine crfics.N as II ere.
the .1-.riou appointments.
its velvet ruEs and costly draperies.
its pictures and bronreS. and books
She became conscious suddenly Of the
lan<uorous odor Of roses that n
compassed her. Then having made
the circuit her eyes rested for a mo-
uent on her-eif as revealed by the
long panel mirror at one side Of the
fireplace. She studied. half curiously.
tina; face that looked hack at her
the grave. sweet lips. the violet eyes
and brown hair: her eye followed the
lines Of her slim figure in its loose
negligec. and rested a 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
furs-
Tell me. are you happy. Claudia
she asked. abruptly.
Claudia stared a moment. then
caught her meaning. Why. yes. she
said. slowly. Il have 4 good hus-
band. a deal little child. a coy home.
and ell that sort of thing. If that's
what you mean. I'm not unhappy.
nor even Disseminated. but she
sighed a little. Sometimes | won
der Why Il has been given TO you 10
be what you a-e-courted. admired.
envied. loved Pauline raised a
protesting hand.
Don't interrupt said Claudia. in
sudden vehemence Why were you
chosen to be 4 of the elects / al.
ways knew you liked to write and
all that-so did /. You and | were
girls together. with the same as
~pirations. but ! never dreamed you
would write-Iike yoI do. YOU know.
Why. actually I've obtained a sud
den astonishing prestige because |
know you intimately. I'm not the
rose. but | live neal il. and all that
and Claudia made a face.
Now. why cant | write when | de-
sire to as intensely as you do l
couldn't put any feeling into any-
;hing-half bitterly-"to save nv
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 ~irrelevanee:
How long have We been separated.
Claudia
Its ten a since o went
abroad" said Claudia. and you've
been back-let me see-two years.
Pauline stared meditatiyeIy at her
self in the long mirror. and Claudia
lit another cigarette. then turned to
look at Pauline half euriously. Her
long silence seemed pregnant with
meaning Presently Pauline began TO
speak with loW-toned passion
Did you yer stop To think.
Claudia. that these She PAUSED.
and as she sent another swift glance
around the room. half smiled. these
flesh pots were bought with a price =
Claudia drew back the least bit
uneasily.
What do YOU e PauIine?"
That they were bought with nv
hearts blood. in sudden WEAKNESS.
and leaning her head back against
the chair.
1t costs something to be-a celeb
rity."
Claudia waited.
You were at our wedding she
went on. presently. Claudia said
nothing. And when / came back
two years ago. alone she smiled
at Claudia-you asked no questions:
you knew when the hour and the
mood came l would tell you all there
is TO know. | had two child rem" she
went on. swiftly: they are dead
now
~Oh. Pauline" in shocked re-
proach. You never told me-"
Pauline lifted her head and Claudia
said no more. She waited awhile