The Washington times., 1906-08-05
By Meredith Nicholson, Author of The Main

said with an ass france for which I
blush TO this hour.
All right. my boy; I, too, have
been in Already" he exclaimed IN
cheerful apology, and she put her
hand on my arm and ! led her away.
He called me my boy so I must
lie passing muster" / remarked. not
daring 20 look al her.
Hes afraid not 70 recognize YOU.
His inability 10 remember faces is a
town Joke"
We reached a quiet corner OF the
great hall and ! found a seat for her.
You don't seem surprised 10 see
He-yOu knew I would come. 7 shculd
have come across the world for this
for inst this"
Her eyes were grave al once.
Why did you come? / did not think
you were so foolish. This Is au-so
wTetched-so unfortunate. You didn't
know that Mr.. Pickering-Mr. Pick
ering-"
she was greatly distressed and this
name came from her chokingly.
Yes; what OF him2" I laughed.
He IS well on his way to California -
and without your
She spoke hurriedly. eagerly. ben5.
ing toward me
'NO-yOu don't know-you dop'+ I'm
derStand-he's here; he abandoned his
california trip at Chicago. he teIe-
graphed TO expect him-here-toDigbt
You must 80 at once-at onceH'
All. but you cant frightea M" " 7
said, trying 10 realize Just what a
meeting with Pickering IN that house
might mean.
'No"-she looked auxiouslv about
they were 10 arrive late, be and ths
Iaylors; they know the Armstrong;
quite Wei. They may come at anv
moment now. Please go"'
But I have only a few minutes nv
self-yOu wouldn't have me sit them
out in the station down town? Tbera
are some things I have come TO saw
and Arthur Pickering and I are not
afraid Of each other,"
But you must not meet him here
Think what that would mean to me,
You are very foolhardy. Mr.. Glensrm.
had no idea you would come"
But YOU wished TO try me-vou
challenged me"
That wasn't nett was Olivia. -
she laughed. more al ease. 7
thought"
Yes. what did you think?" I asked.
THAT l was tied hand and foot by a
dead mans money!
NO, il wasn't that wretched for
tune; but I enjoyed playing the child
before you'll really love Olivia-and
il seemed that the fairies were pro-
tecting me and that I could play be-
ing child 10 the very end Of the chap
ter without any real mischief coming
Of it, I wish I were Olivia." she de-
clared, her eyes away from me-
That's rather idle. I'm not really
sure yet what your name is. and I
don care, Let's imagine that we
haven't any names-Im sure my name
isn't Of any use. and I'll be glad 10 go
nameiess all my days If only"
IF only she repeated idly. OPEN
ing and closing her fan. II was a fraiI
blue trifle, painted in golden butter
flies.
There are so many If onlies' that
l hesitate to choose; but I viii ven
ture one. If only you viii come back
to st. Agatha's. Not tomorrow or
the next day, but. say. with the first
bluebirds. l believe they are the har-
bingers up there"
Her very ease was a balm 10 my
spirit; she was now a veTitable daush-
ter of repOse. one arm in its long
white sheath lay quiet in her lap:
her right hand held the golden but
terfiies against the soft curve of her
cheek. collar of pearls Clasped her
throat and accented the clear giTlish
lines of her profile, I felt the appeal
II her youth and purity IL was Ike
a cry in my heart and I forgot the
dreary house by the lake and Pick
ering and the weeks within the stone
walls of my prison.
..The friends who know me best
never EXPECT me 10 promise 70 be .
anywhere at given time / can't tell
perhaps I shall follow the blue birds
10 Indiana. buJ why should J. when l
can't play being Olivia any m0reS
No! I am very dull. That note Of
spoiogv YOU wrote from the school
really fooled me But I have seen
tho real olivia now. I don't want YOU
Continued on Ninth Page)
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