Okolona messenger., 1906-08-15
--s Hero
Tho Ran Away
By j. S. FLETCHER
(Copyrlght, ~ Joseph B. Bowles.) }

/
Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles)
When the afternoon express finally
| rolled into the Care du Nord at seven
O'Clock OF an April evening, Maxwell
left the train with sigh of immense
relief. He was in Paris, and in Paris
! he could breathe and think, and per-
haps make up his mind as to what was
to be done at the present crisis OF his
life.
Anyway, am freed from the great,
the overwhelming temptation of her
presence" he thought, as he walked
moodiy about the flower-scented
street "a man gets so little chance
of thinking clearly in a wOman's pres
ence, or ii she is within easy distance
of him. If I'm going to fight this thing
out it must be away from her. She"
Maxwell stopped suddenly
and step alike came to a summary con-
clusion He was dimly conscious that
he stood at the corner of the Rue
Royale, and that he was shaking hands
with his friend Lady Ravepsrode, from
whom in some vague fashion the
spring morning had suddenly borrowed
new charm of light, shade, color and
scent.
major MAXWELL" she exclaimed.
''But why should one be surprised?
Paris is 50 very much next-door now
adays. Let me see-it was night be-
fore last that We met, wasn't it?'
II think So" said Maxwell IL
came over yesterday = Dover and
Calais, you know-on business"
Il came over yesterday, too" said
Lady Ravensrode. "Folkstone and
Boulogne, you know-also on business.
My business is-frocks."
Maxwell stroked his mustache. He
became conscious of the presence Of
Lady Ravensrodes maid, lowering at
a discreet distance; also of the inter-
est which was being created in the
minds and eyes Of the passers-by, who
glanced at the English woman's gra-
cious figure, copper gold hair, and vi
vacious beauty, with unmistakable ad-
miration. He looked at Lady Ravens
rode, first furtively, then with Gu
lrious determination In his bronzed
face.
Send your maid away" he said.
"The frocks, / am sure, can wait little.
IL want to talk to you. The fact
is, I'm in bit-no, mean a good
deal-of hole, and want your adj
vice."
Lady RavensFode obeyed this per-
emptory order without a murmur.
They sat down ON rustic seat under
the refreshing shade trees of the
Champs Elysees.
Maxwell began tracing strange
shapes in the gravel at his feet; he
knitted his brow and pursed up his
lips, and Lady Ravensrode watched
him with a tiny smile at the corners
Of her mouth. Presently he looked
up, regarded her with stony stare,
and said:
'The fact is that I've run away"
run away? With whom"
"That," said Maxwell, "is feminine,
but silly. ran away to think"
"Oh," she said, blankly.
well, I'll tell you the truth" he
said. I'm running away from a wom-
an"
THAT" she replied, "is exactly what
should expect of you"
He looked quickly and suspiciously
at her.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. Then you do
think me a coward?"
II didn't say So" she said. rs she
prettyY
Maxwell raised his eyes and stared
at her.
"Pretty" he said. "She-why, she
10 the most beautiful woman in the
world!"
The honesty and simplicity of his
tone were so evident that her inquir-
ing eyes dropped before his.
"She is to be congratulated that
you are SO fond Of her." she said,
softly.
"Ah, but then, she doesn't know" he
answered. 'The thing is-ought to
tell her? That's what want to know
That's the question want to decide.
Oh, I'm horrible coward about it."
"If you love her." said Lady Ravens
rode, you certainly ought to tell her
of your love for her It's wrong not
to; it's wicked"
Wrong? Wicked? Why?" he de-
manded, with signs of great surprise.
Lady Ravensrode turned her face
toward him and studied him with
dancing eyes and a tightly-closed
mouth. Maxwell frowned still more
gloomily.
'Why do you look at me like that?"