Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-03-13

| Of the difference l could believe 1t no
sin that you should speak to me, should
take me home now. think it is wrong
not to act. from your own understand
Ing Of things"
The young man set his expression as
one indomitably fixed upon the course
Of honor, cost what 1t might, and In the
very action his lurking pleasure in do
ing 1t hoped out in the flicker Of a
twinkle In his eyes and as instantly
sought cover again-the flea In the rose
jar.
said firmly. "a disinterested person
should tell you. The difference was
political In the beginning. but became
personal afterward, and 1t is now a
quarrel which can never be patched up.
though, for my part, wish that it
could be. | can say no more, because
q party to it should not speak,"
She met his level look sQuarely at
UtSt, anu uO Liuu et CL hlOiC u
full pair Of eyes than Crailey Gray, for
1t was his great accomplishment that
he could adjust his emotion, his reason
and something that might be called lis
faith to f1t any situation In any char
acter.
You may take me home," she an
swered. II may be wrong and even
disloyal, but I do not feel 1t SO now.
You did a very brave thing tonight to
save him from loss, ;.nd | think that
what you have said was just what you
should have said.'
So they went down the street, the
hubbub and confusion Of the fire grow
ing more and more indistinct behind
them. They walked slowly. and for a
time neither spoke, yet the silence was
of kind which the adept rejoiced to
have produced thus soon-their second
meeting. He waited until they passed
into the shadows of the deserted Ca
rewe street before he spoke. There he
stopped abruptly. Mt which she turned,
astoniShed.
Now that You have saved my life"
he said in low, tremulous tone, "what
are you going to do with it?"
Her eyes opened almost rs widely as
they had ut her first sight of him in
her garden. There was long pause
before she replied. and when she did it
was to his considerable surprise.
81 have never seen play except the
funny little ones we acted at the con-
vent" she said. But isn't that the
way they speak on the stage"
Crailey realized that his judgment Of
the silence had been mistaken. and yet
1t was with Il thrill Of delight that he
recognized her clear reading Of him.
He had been too florid again.
LET us 60" His voice was soft with
restrained forgiveness. You molked
me once before
Knocked you?" she repeated as they
went OH.
Knocked me-" he said firmly. "Mock-
ell me for seeming theatrical, ana yet
you have learned that what l said was
true, as you will again
She mused upon this, then, as In
whimsical indulgence to an importu-
nate child:
"Well, tell me what you mean when
you say | saved your life"
"YOu came alone" he began hastily,
ito stand upon that burning roof
"Whence all but him had fed. Her
laughter rang out, interrupting him.
"Aly room was on the fourth floor ut
st. Mary's, and didn't mind climbing
three flights this evening
Crailey's good nature was always per
feet. You mock me. ana you mock
me-. he cried. and made her laughter
but part OF II gay duet. Il know ]
have gone too fast, have said things !
should have waited to say, but, ah.
remember the small chance have
against the others who can see you
when they like. Don't nout me be-
cause try to make the most of Il rare.
stolen ulOuleut Will sOu'
Dor she exclaimed. grave upon the
instant. do make the most OF II! |
have nothing but inexperience. Make
the most by treating me se::.ou|ly.
won't you? l know YOU can. and l.
r. She faltered to full stop. She was
earnest and quiet, and there had been
something in her tone. too. as very Of
ten there was. that showed how young
she was. oh" she began again. tutn-
Ing to him impulsively, II have thought
about you since that evening In the glr-
den. and / have wished | could know
you. | can't be quite clear how 1t hap
pened. but even those few minutes left
a number of strong impressions about
YOU. And the strongest was that you
were one with whom could talk OF q
great many things. II you would only
be real with Inc. believe. though I'm
not sure why 10. that it Is very DIFF
ficult for you to lie real. Perhaps be-
cause YOU are so different mt different
times that you aren't sure yourself
which the real YOU is. But the person
that you are beginning to be for my
benefit must be the most trlfling OF all
your selves, lighter and easier to put on
than the little mask you carried the
other night. If there were nothing bet
ter underneath the mask, l might play
too"
"Did you learn this at the convent"
gasped Crailey.
There was a world there in minia-
ture," she answered, speaking very
quickly. II think all people are made
of the same materials, only in such diff
ferent proportions. think little
world might hold as much as the lar
gest. II you thought it all out hard
enough, and your experience might be
Just us broad and deep In Il small cor
ner of the earth rs anywhere else. but
[ don't know. want to understand
want to understand everything! |
read books, and there are people. but
no one who tells me what want-F-
"StOp" lie lifted his hand. \ slngi'
lar exaltation rose In him. together
with the reckless impulse to speak
from the mood her vehement confidence
had inspired. He gave way to 1t.