The Columbus journal., 1907-01-30

lightly. DO you Kiss everybody Hike
that you are introduced to? Perhaps, {"
she went on presently. II say only
perhaps. I have sometimes noticed
you before tonight
Four months had passed. In the
boudoir of Fifth avenue nat young
man lay half recumbent on q settee.
Over him bent q woman. The man
looked rather wearied. His eyes
sagged slightly. And the woman
peered down at him attentively.
Arthur"
My darling?"
Look at me-look right up into my
eyes"
Rather reluctantly he turned his
gaze up to hers.
Arthur" she said, after q little
while. during which she had seemed
to him to peer into his very soul:
tell me, Arthur, have you loved any
woman but me since that night-since
the night We met? Tell me the truth. -
why, of course I have not" he re-
piled with emphasis, which though ex-
aggerated, carried no conviction.
You lie!" she exclaimed, her whole
attitude changing on the instant. You
lie! And yet you swore to me you
wOuldn't-y0u sw0re you would never
more love anyone but met"
Her eyes seemed to glitter. She
was trembling strangely. A great
wave of feeling appeared to control
her. And yet at that moment she
looked to the man more enhancing
than ever.
Really, Phoebe. my darling" he be-
gan, but she checked him.
You should not lie to me-" she said
presently, more composedly and seem
ingly half in jest. 1T is dangerous to
lie to me-"
He laughed at her a little as he
flung aside his cigarette and made
himself more comfortable.
Phoebe" he said. 81 love you
dreadfully. as told you the first night
we met. and always shall love you. "
AS he spoke he drew the beautiful
face down to his and kissed it.
She offered no resistance. Somehow
on this evening she appeared to him
more seductive than ever. Presently
he wondered then he had not no
ticed it before-her breath seemed to
fall quite heavily upon his brow. He
could not quite tell why, but as it did
q sense of intense qualification came
over him, feeling that was strangely
soothing. And now he felt distinctly
she was breathing purposely upon him
and allowing. perhaps also purposely.
her breath to fall across his face 1t
held him spell-b0und. His very will
was fast weakening. His mental
faculties were dying.
"You like that?'
The voice sounded at . distance.
He sighed heavily.
At once she bent over him still
more Now her eyes were riveted to
his.
Then, of a sudden, all life was
blotted out from him. his heart and
brain throbbed painfully; reason and
consciousness alike had fled, leaving
him pulseless, stupefed, inert.
With a visible effort she recovered
herself and rose. Her face was
flushed Her eyes glistened curiOusly.
A strange, unnatural fever made her
hot and restless. She crossed the
room and rang twice. Her own maid
the summons.
Call a cab, Aphelie," she said
quickly. HE is ILL"
The cab arrived soon. As Phoebe
heard it stop she turned.
"Come, Arthur" she cried rather
loudly. you must be going now.
Come along"
He rose and looked stupidity about
him. She helped him into his coat,
then handed him his hat.
"GOod night" she said, extending
her hand.
Good night-Ph0ebe- darling"
His speech was slow. His voice
hollow. His eyes, widely dis
tended, with enormous shining pupils,
lacked all intelligence. Mechanically
he took her hand. Mechanically he
passed slowly down the fight of stairs.
he pulled himself into
the cab and told the driver his ad-
dress.
1T is extraordinary-m0st extraOrdi-
nary"
The speaker was one Of three mem
bers of the medical profession who
chanced to be seated together in the
otherwise empty smoking room OF
rather we'll known club.
ITO what do you yourself attribute
leath?" asked another member of the
group.
81 can throw as much light on the
oc 10th - un,, ~on-whinh ia