The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1906-11-16

waiting LOT the lOW-NOlced 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: Il ought 10 know
your knock by this time, hut some
how | never fail to look inquiringly
when the door opens"
AS if anyone but me is ever ad.
mitted into this-I should say-un-
holy OF unholies," cycling Paulines
cigarette with some severity Paul.
inc laughed and moved the chair be
side her a fraction of an inch.
Have one?" she asked, extending
a case from the taborette at her other
side
Thanks, l believe will" said
Claudia. promptly. taking the chair
and the goldtipped cigarette at the
same time She unloosened her furs
stretched out two small feet TO 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
his so calmly
Pauline came out Of her reverie
suddenly "All this what?" she asked.
quietly. ooh. don't pretend Claudia
was inclined TO be cross. These
er-fesh 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
IF Claudias hand. taking in for the
first time critically, as it We're.
the rooms luxurious appointments;
is velvet rugs and costly draperies.
It's pictures and bronzes. and books
She became conscious suddenly of the
anguorous odor of roses that en-
eompassed her Then having made
he circuit her eyes rested for mo-
ment on herself as revealed by the
Iong panel mirror at one side Of the
fireplace. She studied. half curiously,
that face that looked back at her
he 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
he patrician fingers of the hand that
held her cigarette. Then. after flick
ng ca 'efully the ashes from the Gig
arctic. she turned squarely and faced
Claudi {. looking earnestly at the
fresh. lovely young face. now half
mochngly revealed against the rich
furs.
Tell me. are you happy, Claudia"
she asked abruptly.
C'audia stared a moment, then
caught her meaning. why yes" she
said. slowly. Il have a good hus-
band. a dear little child, a coy home.
and all that sort of thing, If that's
nor even disconnected, but" she
sighed a little Sometimes l won
der why It has been given to you to
be what you are-courted, admired.
anvied. loved" Pauline raised a
protesting hand
Don't interrupt" said Claudia. in
sudden vehemence. Why were you
chosen to be one of the elect? ] al
ways knew you liked 10 write and
all 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 live near it. and all that
and Claudia made a face.
Now. why cant | write when de-
sire To as intensely as you do? |
couldn't put any feeling into any
thing"-half btterly-"to save my
life. And why, | want to know, can
you? In short, why are you the
traveller. the distinguished author
the only Pauline Courtney Trevor
the celebrity
Pauline was silent awhile, then
with sudden irrelevance:
How long have we been separated,
Claudia?'
ITS ten years since you went
abroad" said Claudia. and you've
been back-let me see-two years
Pauline stared meditatively at her
self in the long mirror, and Claudia
lit another cigarette then turned to
look at Pauline half curiously. Her
long silence seemed pregnant with
meaning Presently Pauline began to
speak with low-toned passion.
Did YOU ever stop TO think,
Claudia. that these She paused,
and al she sent another swift glance
around the room. half smiled, these
flesh pots were bought with a price,"
Claudia drew back the least bit
uneasily
What do you mean. Pauline"
THAT they were bought with my
hearts blood in sudden WEAKNESS,
and leaning her head back against
the chair.
1T costs something to be-a celeb
rity"
Claudia waited.
You we're at our wedding" she
went on. presently. Claudia said
nothing. And when | came back
two years ego, alone" she smiled
at Clandia-"you asked no questions;
YOU knew when the hour and the