Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-03-15

that she was woman who played With
mems hearts for amusement. The story
is as old as Cleopatra's."
WAS she beautiful"
Beautiful"
At the passion in his voice the girl
stole a quick glance at his bowed
head
Then you met her?" she said, new
| softness in her voice.
Il did"
Il remember Mr.. Myles well. He
was handsome boy. Tell me what
she was like"
THE woman who ruined him was
lovely enough to turn the head of any
man. he said slowly. And she was
young and clever. and"
Tell me what she looked like in
sisted the girl.
Looked like? am poor hand at
descriptions, but
Colbridge broke off abruptly, and
then continued, almost under his
breath
Her face was a soft oval, pale and
clear, and the curve Of her cheek
would have sent painter crazy. Her
eyes were dark, and set rather wide
apart, and her nose was straight, and
as dainty as her whole figure :.
These trivial things cannot interest
you"
"They are not trivial to-a woman
Mr.. Colbridge."
He lifted his head, and saw that
her cheeks were flushed and her eyes
very bright.
Then forgive me if l talk like
penny novelette,, for-I knew the girl
rather WELL | think her mouth was
his-Dennis's-f undoing You see
he knew next to nothing about wom-
en-, and she was like on other on
earth Her hair was dark-though
not darker than her eyes-and she
were it gathered in shimmery coil
on her white neck. And she was
clear-brained and we'll read, and yet
utterly feminine. So Dennis came
cropper and 1 have no doubt she
laughed at him. That is all.
"And this happened in Belgium"
I'm Belgium, repeated Colbridge,
steadily
The girl watched the dancers wSirl
by them in silence, her face hiSden
by big white fan.
'Did-did you-like her too?"
The unexpectedness of the question
held him mute. She misunderstood
his silence.
Forgive mel have been imperti-
nent Butt thought l might know
her."
f'Ycu do.
Colbridge would deal out his punish
ment to the bitter end, though it tore
his heart to pieces.
"And you are quite right" he added,
81 did care"
Miss North rose and moved toward
a curtained doorway that led to the
deserted conservatory.
The heat here is stiAing," she said.
81 am glad you told me. Perhaps l
can help you"
Il think not" said Colbridge. The
distress in her face was pitiful.
Have | made mistake? Were
you not speaking Of
fColbridge played his last card with
sick feeling of cruelty.
Il referred to Miss North,' he said,
i and turned away.
p He felt her light touch on his arm
II thought SO, though l had for
gotten you met her. Is it possible TO
smooth matters over? l shall be see
ing my cousin tomorrow"
''Your-cousin," igs
my cousin, Dorothy North. She
was to have come this evening. We
have been a good deal together, and
they say we are somewhat alike. She
is thoughtTess, know; but If
81 have never met or heard of her."
said Colbridge.
The girl stared at him, pale, I'M
compromising. Then suddenly a
wave Of color spread over her face and
threat. Colbridge faced her with
clenched hands, like man in physical
agony.
do you understand" he said. 81
have been a fool, presumptuous fool
l tried to punish a woman. And l lied
also. Dennis Myles never met your
cousin-he only saw you for one day;
and he left Oxford to become a mis-
sionary. And l had never heard of
her existence until 49, Light Broke
upon him suddenly, binding and stun.
ming.
+ 81 am afraid we have been talking
at cross purposes" said the girl, and
her voice was cold and steady. "And
now if you will take me to Mrs Sui
livan"--
Colbridge's face was set in an ex-
tremity of shame and longing.
Wont you allow me to explain?"
81 cannot see that-that anything
would be gained"
Il have lost what 1 coveted most in
the world through my own madness.
Is not that sufficient punishment"
Her eyes met his pitilessly for an in
slant, and then fell
81 came home solely to see you
again, and to tell you that you were
dearer than anything on earth to me.
And then Sullivan spoke of your
cousin and, thinking he referred to
you, | jumped at false conclusion.
-. God knows I am paying the pen
atty. Now let me take you to Mrs.
Sullivan
THANK you" said the girl, quietly,
and slipped her arm in his
Colbridge looked down at the white
hand shining on his black sleeve, at
the graceful hea SO near his own
shoulder. Through the curtained
curtained doorway came a sudden
burst Of music. 1t was the Gel Dora
do waltz. They had danced it togeth-