Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1906-11-17

Claudia knocked three times light
ly 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" said Pauline, glanc.
ing over her shoulder from her seat
in front of the open fire; then she
smiled and added: II ought to know
your knocF by this time, but some
how l never fail to look inquiringly
when the door opens"
AS ii anyone but me is ever ad-
lnitted into this--I should say-un'
holy of mholies," cycling Pauline's
cigarette with some severity. Paul.
inc laughed and moved the chair be-
side her -sTaction of an inch.
Have one?" she asked extending
a case from the tabofette at her other
side.
Thanks. | believe | will said
Claudia, promptly, taking the chair
and the Gold-tipped cigarette at the
same time. She unloosened her furs,
stretched ont two small feet to the
FIRE, and for Il few moments there
was silence. Then Claudia. after a
glance around the room, said. gloom
lily: 81 don't see how you take all
this so calmly
Pauline came out of her reverie
suddenly. All this WHAT" she asked.
quietly. oh, don't pretend" Claudia
was inclined to be cross. These
er-flesh pots, you know with q CIR
cuitous sweep of her hand around the
room,
Pauline turned slowly in her chair,
aud followed with her eyes the wave
of Claudia's hand. taking in for the
fixst time critically, as 1t were
the rooms luxurious appointments;
its velvet rugs and costly drapeues,
its pictures and bronzes, and books.
She became conscious suddenly OF the
languoTOus odor of roses that en-
compassed her. Then having made
the circuit her eyes rested for mo-
inent on herself as revealed by the
long panel mirror at one side OF 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
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 squarely and faced
Claudia. looking earnestly at the
fresh. lovely young face. now half
n1ockingly 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 good nus
band a dear little child, coy home,
and all that sort of thing, il that's
what you mean. I'm not unhappy,
nor even disseminated, but she
sighed q little. Sometimes | won
der why it has been given TO YOU to
be what you arc-courted, admired
cnvied, loved" Pauline raised a
protesting hand
bOu IllclluDl, Sstib CAN'bAa' "a
sudden vehemence. Why were you
chosen to be one of the elect? / al
ways knew you liked to write and
| al that--so did ]. You and | were
girls together, with the same as
pirations. but ] never dreamed you
would write--like you do. you know
Why. actually I've obtained a sud
den astonishing prestige because
know you intimately. I'm not the
rose, but 1 live near 1t, and all that,
and Claudia made a face.
Now, why can't ! write when dc
sire 70 as intensely as you do?
couldn't put any feeling into any
thing"-half bitterfy-"to save my
,ile. And why, want to know. car
you? In short, why are you the
traveller. the distinguished author
the only Pauline Courtney Trevor
the celebrity"
Pauline was silent awhile, ther
with sudden irrelevance:
How long have We been separated
ClandiaG'
IT'S ten years since you went
abroad" said Claudia. land you'v,
been back---let me see--two years.
Pauline stared meditatively at her
self I'm the long mirror, and Claudia
Htcanother cigarette, then turned t.
look at Pauline half curiously. lie
long silence seemed pregnant wit
meaning. Presently Pauline began Z
sneak with low-toned passion.
Did you aver stop to think
Caudia. that these" She paused
end as she sent another swift glanc
around the room, half smiled. "thcs
ncsh pots were bought with n price?
Claudia drew back the least hi
uneasily.
What do you mean, Pauline'
That they were bought with IN
hearts blood" in sudden wearines
and leaning her head back agains
the chair.
1T costs something to bc-a cele'
rity."
Claudia waited.
You were at our wedding, sf
-.