Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-10-09

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ILL studio, facing each other.
i7Ni Karl and Olga were silent.
- There was look In karls
eyes that Olga had never seen before.
There was Il tumult In her heart that
she had never before felt. 1t was
Karl who first recovered himself and
tried to break the silence. trying to
speak lightly.
Don't be nervous" he said reassur-
ingly. This is the reception room OF
my studio Every woman ! paint
comes here"
And do you paint every woman who
comes here?" Olga asked slowly.
NO" Karl replied shortly.
There was another awkward pause.
Olga could not tell why she had asked
that question any more than Karl could
have told why he had asked Herman
If he was not afraid to leave them
alone. 1t was some unsupported jeal-
ousy that prompted it.
Did you understand my husbands"
Olga asked.
"Yes, think did"
"He said i trust you Why should
he say that? Why should it not be
matter of coursef"
"You don't think he is really jeal-
ous?"
Olga shook her head.
81 don't know" she said. During
the six years we have been together
and you have been our friend he has
often pretended to be Jealous. This
time there was something In his voice
that made me believe ii was more than
pretense. 1t is the first time lie has
ever left US alone"
They were standing. Karl near the
door, where he had hidden Herman
farewell Olga was Oh the opposite
side Of the apartment. In the alcove In
one corner an open fire burned brightly,
casting a red glow over the big, COM
Portable armchair drawn up before
1t. with its high. pulpit shaped back
toward them. Karl walked over to
Olga and said with quiet earnestness:
I'VE have tried to avoid 1t. Olga,
tried for six years. Now that the sit
uation Is forced upon us, why not be
honest? Let US talk about 1t frankly"
II think it was sweet not to discuss
1t for six long years." Olga said. smil-
ing at him. "A clean conscience is
like warm cloak, Karl. 1t infolds
US and makes US feel 80 comfortable"
She tried to make her mood seem
light, but Karl would not fall In with
It.
Last night when 1t was suggested
that l should paint your portrait you
gave me look had never seen be.
fore" he persisted. II wonder why"
81 don't know" Olga answered. her
fear returning. Don't let US talk
about 1t. don't want to-"
you must not be afraid of me.
Olga. If were any one else you might
be frightened. l am fond Of you, ses.
but respectfully. do not see what
harm can be done by talking every
thing over quietly. 1t seems SO long
ago-seven years-since they told me
that Herman was to be your husband
1t was on the anniversary Of the
day
"Oh, Karl! she protested. holding
out her hands to silence him.
1.-THE day we kissed each other" be
went on, speaking so quietly that 1t
seemed almost whisper. I'VE were
almost children then. was a poor
little chap, who gave drawing lessons
10 Herman and his sisters. You were
little waif, fed cake and tea at the
lniIlionaire's table. There we met, q
oeggar boy and a beggar girl. thrown
together In palace. We looked at
each other, and | think we under
stood"
Olga covered her burning face with
her hands, and Karl went on:
I'VE kissed each other quite limo
cently-just one kiss, the memory of
which has almost faded"
Eyes, Karl. faded" Olga cried eager
". I'VE have grown up senslbly, and
I've never mentioned it."
Karl seemed not to hear her Interrupt.
ton. He went on:
"You became Herman's wife and
went to live in a palace. found you
there when l came back from Paris
still fond Of you, but determined never
to tell you so, and when met you
again l, too, was somewhat changed
Still, when our eyes met, Olga. 1t was
with the same look of the two poor
longing little beggars Of the years ago
But we did not kiss again."
"Why not?" Olga breathed.
"Your husband and are the bes
Of friends" Karl said. Though W,
have met hundreds of times, you ant
l. we have not mentioned it."
| Olga turned to him gratefully ant
held out her hand to clasp his.
you are good, true friend, Karl"
Are you satisfied now?" Karl aske(
: her, smiling. "You are not afraid OF
me, are your"