The Cairo bulletin., 1906-12-24

The Price
by FLORENCE S. THOMPSON


Y
Claudia Knocked three times light.
ly ON the study door making slight
pause after the first tap. then hardly
waiting for the low-yoccd Come. -
from within, she, pushed open the
door.
oh, it's you, said Pauline. glauc.
ing over her shoulder from her seat
In front of the open fire. then she
smiled and added ought 70 know
your knock by this time, but some,
how ! never fail to look inquiingly
when the door opens
AS ii anyone but me IS ever ad
mitted into this--I should say I'M.
holy OF unhoies, cycling Pauline's
cigarette with some severity Paul
inc laughed and moved the chair be-
side her a fraction of am inch
Have one" she asked, extending
case from the taborete at her other
side
Thanks, believe | will" said
Claudia promptly, taking the chair
and the gold-tipped cigarette al the
same time She unloosened her urs,
stretched out two small feet 60 The
FIRE, and for few moments there
was silence Then Claudia after a
glance around the room said. gloom
lily: Il don't see how YOU take all
this SO calmly"
Pauline came out Of her revorle
suddenly. AN this what?' she asked.
quietly oh, don't pretend Claudia
was inclined to be cross These
er-hesh pots. YOU know, with a 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 Il were,
the rooms luxurious appointments;
its velvet rugs and costly draperies,
its pictures and bronZes. and books.
She became conscious suddenly OF the
languorous odor OF roses that en-
compassad her. Then having made
the circuit her eyes rested tor a mo.
ment OH herself as revealed By the
long panel mirror at one side OF the
fireplace. She studied, half cuiously,
that face that looked back al her
the grave sweet lips, The violet eyes
and brown hair; her eye followed the |
lines of her slim figure in its loose |
negligee. 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 sqttarely and faced |
Claudia looking earnestly at the
fresh. lovely young face now hal:
revealed against the rich
furs
Tell me, are you happy, Claudia"
she asked, abruptly.
Claudia stared moment then |
caught her meaning, Why. YES she /
said, slowly Il have a good hus
band. a 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 a little Sometimes won.
Ter why it has been given to you to
De what Won are--courted admired.
,nvied. loved" Pauline raised
hand.
Don't interrupt" said Claudia. In
sudden yehemence. Why We're you
,hosen to be one of the elect? ! al
ways knew you liked to write and
III that-sO did l. You and | We're
.iris together, with the same as
,irations. but | never dreamed you
would write-like you do you know
Why. actually I've obtained sud
len astonishing prestige because |
now you intimately I'm not the
ose. but | live near it, aud all that,
nd Claudia made a face
Now, why cant / write when ] de.
ire to as intensely as you do? /
ouldnt put any feeling into any.
hing half bitterly-"to save my
lie. And why, | want to know, can
on? In short, why are you the
raveler the distinguished author
he only Pauline Courtney Trevor
he celebrity
Pauline was silent aWhlle. then ;
nth sudden irreleyance
How long have We been separated :
'laudia?'
ITS ten years since you went
broad said Claudia, and you've :
cen back-let me see-two years"
Pauline stared meditativcly at her /
elf in the long mirror. and Claudia q
{ another cigarette, then turned 10 II,
,ok at Pauline hall cuiously Tier /
ing silence seemed pregnant with Z
leauing. Presently Pauline began to {
peak with low-toned passion.
Did you ever stop 10 think.
laudia. that these" She paused.
nd as she sent another swift glance
round the room. half smiled. these
nsh pots were bought with a price,"
Claudia drew back the least bit