Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-10-18

'It's really too bad to troop of and
leave you"
''Goodby, goodby!"
Without word to one another the |
two left moved away. Barbara went |
upstairs to the drawing-room, its many |
windows open to the sea that entered
like song. She did not attempt to
play for some time, but sat in the
peace of the deserted room listening,
fearing a step on the stairs. None
came. He was smoking, after all,
downstairs in his own room. She
need not imagine her music was in
ducement to bring him here, she told
herself, yet, just for tonight, the very
last night. She started. Edward
was standing in the doorway. He
stood watching her with that same
strange flicker in his sober eyes. He
crossed the room and sat opposite
her, still silent and smiling.
What shall l play? What would
you like?" She did not wait for his
answer, but began. The man, lis
| tening, knew that it was his presence,
his obvious presence, that kept the
| magic out of her melody. He gave q
grim attention to it for few mo-
| ments. then got up and went into
the inner room. She thought he had
gone, and faint current of something
mysterious crept into her music; II
relieved her, soothed the unrest OF
her mood, flowed with momentary
healing over her Jared spirit.
AS she ceased a servant entered
with a telegram. She was looking a
it unopened when he came back. Sh'
knew escape was too late.
"Come outside. You have hat
enough music
"You mean you have" she correct
ed, trying to talk lightly.
"You sometimes make mlstak
about me-" he said abruptly.
There were winding steps that le
{ from the drawing-room windows
the garden He followed her, goln
: carefully to escape her trailing gowl
, There was a sort of rampant at on
! | end with a low sandstone bench ths
4 overlooked the sea.
/ The air was full of soft sounds ar
: scents. He could only just see h
e face and the soft sweep OF cheek TN
It gave distinction to her profile.
e little fold of her gown trailed aero
e the bench as they sat. He took
e between his fingers. L IKE yo
shadowy black frocks. I don't IL
a women. as a rule, in black gow1
n This is like twilight, fine and fra
K Is that why you choose it, Barbara
n From sheer capacity to finesse
le took the one course that convinced
u the direct one.
ee 81 want you," he said. ''It's not
g, way to put it; men don't say it blu
1v like that-men who know how
ly WOO. / never did, never tried,
ct. wanted to before I am too old
eir learn the rules of the difficult gal
lst I only repeat I want you Does
Sc seem enough?
to He took her trembling hands.
lat 81 want you to marry me. Al
nd all. it's what they come to in the e
those pretty tricks and speeches, tn
Ter by-ways l can't learn. Let It or
at me near you"
The "But if l can't?''
zen There was an edge, half NAL
the half unconcealed content. IN
re- voice..
oot "You must! I'll have to try
learn the other fellows methods
uty YOU won't come to me like this!''
ate She shuddered, and for an inst
way in the inexplicable ebb and flow
OF emotions, she seemed carried a
from him.
our "You don't know me yet" he
!: ! on: "you have taken other peol
to views of me- I shall be differen
ing. you-quite different, if you will
Ugh me show you myself, apart from
en- ervbodv else. have a propl
lim. feeling about us-I had it from tn
ginning. / suspect | am golns
ard. make you want me more than
loke know"
ever Insurgence returned-was over
ing all.
ided s.You can't make me want you
nner -" She broke aft laughing, then
denly timid. Don't you see"
ring He did, though to the latest d
tage their life together he could nev'
( at brought to understand how It
.ho,,+ edith c. NJ Dart, in M.