Charlevoix county herald., 1907-04-27


himself. His emotion burst through
and shattered pose and cynicism and
hard crust of selfishness like the ex-
ploding powder bursting the shell. Il
can't give you up. Anita" he eX-
claimed in tone of utter desperation.
Il can't! l can't"
But her gaze was all this time stead
lily on me, as if she feared / would go,
should she look away. Il will tell
you myself" she said, rapidly, to me.
"We-Uncle Howard and Tread in
the papers how they had all turned
against you, and he brought me over
here. He has been telegraphing for
you. This morning he went to town
to search for you. About an hour ago
as | have ever since the time | told
you about at Alva's. He persisted,
until at last | had the servant request
him to leave the house."
But now there's no longer any
reason for your staying. Anita" he
pleaded. "He has said you are free.
Why stay when you would really no
more be here than if you were to go,
leaving one of your empty dresses"
She had not for an instant taken
her gaze from me; and so strange
were her eyes, so compelling, that
seemed unable to move or speak.
But now she released me to blaze
upon him-and never shall I forget
any detail of her face or voice as she
said to him: THAT is false, Now
bray Langdon. | told you the truth
when | told you | loved him."
So violent was her emotion that
she had to pause for self-control. And
|? was overwhelmed, dazed,
stunned. When she went on, she
was looking at neither of us. yes,
loved him, almost from the first
from the day he came to the box at
the races. | was ashamed poor crea-
ture that my parents had made me.
| was ashamed of it. And | tried to
hate him. and thought | did. And
when he showed me that he no longer
cared, my pride goaded me into the
folly of trying to listen TO you. But
| loved him more than ever. And as
you and he stand here. | am ashamed
again-ashamed that | was ever so
blind and ignorant and prejudiced as
to compare him with'-she looked at
Langdon-"with you. Do YOU believe
me now-now that | humble myself
before him here in your presence"
/ should have had no heart at all
if | had not felt pity for him. His
face was gray, and on it were those
signs of age that strong emotion
brings to the surface after 40.
You could have convinced me in no
other way" he replied, after ST.
lence, and in voice | should not
have recognized.
Silence again. Presently he raised
his head, and with something of his
ole cynicism bowed to her
You have avenged much and
many" said he. Il have often had a
presentiment that my day of wrath
would come"
He lifted his hat. bowed at me with
out looking at me, and, drawing the
tatters of his pose still further over
his wounds, moved away toward the
landing.
|, sill in stupor. watched him I'M
til he had disappeared. When |
turned TO her she dropped her eyes.
"Uncie Howard will be back this
afternoon, said she IF | may. I'll
stay at the house until he comes TO
take NE.
A weary, half-suppressed sigh
escaped from her. | knew how she
must be reading my silence, but | was
still Unable to speak. She went to the
horse. browsing near by: she stroked
his muzzle. Lingeringly she twined
her fingers in his name, as if about
to spring to his back. That remind
ed me OF thousand and one changes
in hcf-little changes. each trifie
in itself, yet, taken all together, max
ing a complete transformation.
Let me help you | managed to
say. And | bent, and made step
of my hand.
She touched her fingers to my
shoulder, set her narrow, graceful foot
upon my palm. But she did not rise.
| glanced up. she was gazing wistful-
~ down at me.
Women have to learn by experience
just as do men, said she, forlornly.
Yet men will not tolerate 1t.
suppose must suddenly have
looked what was unable to put into
words-for her eyes grew very wide,
and with cry that was sigh and
| n1
in one, she slid into my arms and her
face was burning against mine.
DO YOU remember the night at the
theater," she murmured, when Your
! lips almost touched my neck?-I
! loved you then-Black Matt-Black
Matt"
And I found voice; and the horse
wandered away.
THE Enid