The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-03-29
With All My
He art

BY EDITH NJ. DOANE

A lunge. jolt, and the elevated train
halted reluctantly beside the station
platform. Through the softly whirsng
snowfakes outside the electric lights
blinked ftfully ninth street, yelled
the conductor, jerking open the door.
A young man sprang to the platform,
closely followed by a girl mutfied to
her ears in soft, warm furs. Burying
her face in her big, fluffy muff, she re-
fused his guiding arm and walked
briskly down the snow drifted steps
out into the white, whlrling world in
the street below.
Isn't it lark" she said gayly. Her
eyes were dancing. She turned u
lovely face flushed with cold and ex-
element, toward the six feet of mas
culne appreciation beside her. Isn't
1t glorious|
Beautiful" His eyes were on her
face
Don't you love it?"
with all my hearth" hummed Cor
don Huston fervently.
The first snowstorm Is alluring, fas-
cinatng Words are SO hopelessly in
Adequate
They are" he agreed approyingly.
Il am speaking of the storm" icily.
"Of course"-hs voice was that of
injured innocence-"the storm. What
elseT
She struggled for stern disapproval.
Then their eyes met, and they both
laughed.
ITO think of Aunt Clara's headache
at the last moment"
Blessed headaChep'
And of her actually consenting to
my coming alone"
ITS dreadful" he murmured, "but |
find 1t In my heart to forgive her
Then, being very young and exceed
lngly foolish, they laughed again.
The street lamps flared in ghostly
succession and her furs were white
with snow as they pushed through the
soft, smothering storm.
Tell me"-in spite of himself his
voice was unsteady-"you really did
care about coming"
"Oh, yes" lightly; II have always
wanted to see the Cafe Bellard"
There was no other reason?'
She looked at him in apparent sur
prise, though her eyes danced with
mischief. "Other reason?" she echoed.
Suddenly her mood changed. With a
quick little gesture she laid her hand
on his arm.
Don't, Gordon" she said beseech-
ingly. I'VE have only a few hours to-
gether Don't'-nervously-"sa things
to spoil our evening. Gordon"
LAS you wish" His tone was courte-
GUS, but full of GOODNESS. So his great
love for her was but a thing that
would spoil her evening.
They had reached the corner now,
and in silence they crossed the street
to the great cafe, whose lights fared
out invltingly through the whirling
snow.
Inside the strains of a Hungarian
band fioated dreamily through the
crowded rooms, lights blazed, there
was the hum of many voices, and the
scent of tobacco smoke chung to the
air. In a corner they found a table
that commanded a view of the laugh
Ing, chatterng cosmopolitan crowd
II am so glad you thought of bring
ing me here" said Molly shyly abash-
ed by his studied silence. ut is like
the places on the continent. There is
one In Paris, In the Rue de Riyoli that
| wish you could see"
~ will look it up next month"
She gave a perceptlble start. which
was balm to his wounded feelings
Next month" she repeated, with a
mournful attempt at unconcern. 81
didn't know you we're going abroad"
1.-THE firm has offered me the man
agement of a branch house it is open
ing in Paris"
"Of course you will go. 1t is nat
ural. You will be very happy there"
The last strains of a dreamy waltz
died softly away. The applause leaped
from table to table, then subsidized as
the opening bars of gay little French
love song foated through the rooms.
as that what you thinkP" he said
earnestly, dropping his voice and lean
ing across the table "Then for once
you are wrong. l shall never be happy
anywhere without u"-determinedly
--"as my wife"
The catchy little French song swung
gayly on; a musician began to sing the