The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-05-04

rather well. | think her mouth was
his-Dennis 's-final undoing. You see
he knew next to nothing about wom-
en-, and she was like on other on
earth. Her hair was dark-thousn
not darker than her eyes-and she
were it gathered in shimmery coil
on her white neck. And she was
ciear-brained and well read, and yet
utterly feminine So Dennis came a
crcpper and l have no doubt she
laughed at him. That is all.
And this happened in Belgium"
''In Belgium" repeated Colbridge,
steadily
The girl watched the dancers whirl
by them in silence, her face hidden
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-
rent. Butt thought l might know
her"
You do.
Co!bridge would deal out his punish
ment to the bitter end, though it tore
his heart to pieces.
And you are quite right he added
Il did care
Miss North rose and moved toward
curtained doorway that led to the
deserted conservatory.
Il am glad you told me. Perhaps |
can help YOU
Il think not" said Colbridge. The
distress in her face was Iitiful
Have l made q mistake? Were
you not speaking Of
Colbridge played his last card with
sick feeling of cruelty.
Il referred to Miss North" he said,
and turned away.
He felt her light touch on his arm.
II thought so, though l had for.
gotten you met her Is it possible tc
smooth matters over? l shall he sec
ing my cousin tomorrow"
'Your-cousin."
my cousin, Dorothy North She
was to have come this evening. We
have been good deal together, and
they say We are somewhat alike. She
is thoughtless, l know; but if
II have never met or heard of her."
said Colbridge.
The girl stared at him, pale. un-
comprehending. Then suddenly q
wave of color spread over her face and
throat. Colbridge faced her with
clenched hands, like a man in physical
agony.
do you understand" he said Il
have been fool, a presumptuous fool.
l tried to punish a woman. And lied
also. Dennis Myles never met your
cousin-he only saw you for one day;
and he left Oxford to become mis-
sionary. And | had never heard of
her existence untiT'- Light Broke
upon him suddenly, binding and stun
ming.
Il 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
Colbridge's face was set in an ex-
tremity Of shame and longing.
Wont you allow me to explain?"
Il cannot see that-that anything
would be gained"
Il have lost what l 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
Il 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 l 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 CT music. 1t was the lei Dora
do waltz. They had danced it togeth-
er at the hotel ball on the evening be-
fore she had left for England
He made no movement The girl |
lifted her eyes slowly to his,
els there no hope?" he said, hoarse-
ly.
"You were cruel.''
as there no hope?" he repeated.
Her answer was little soft, sobbine
cry, as he caught her in his arms in
naSSinn of ramnrco and &ondornocc