Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-06-10

Oumpany.
Copyright 1900. by Robert w. CAanbsr&
rnat II rignpened her, but before she
could speak again his voice was sound
ing In her ears, patient, unconvinced:
81 don't recognize your voice. Who
am i speaking TOT"
Sylvia"
There was no response, and she spoke
again
II only wanted to say good morning
IL is afternoon now. Is ii too late 70
say good morning."
"No Pm badly ratified. Is It you,
Sylvan
Indeed it is. am in my own room.
IL thought
Eyes: | am listening"
IL don't know what | did think. Is
It necessary for me TO telephone you a
minute account of the mental proc
esses which ended by my calling you
up out Of the Vastly deepT
The old ring in her voice, limiting OF
the laughing undertone the same trail
ing sweetness Of inhection-could he
uOuDt ms SENSES any longer
Il know you now" he said.
Il should think you might l should
very much ike TO know how you are
If you don't mind sayingY
"Tbank you. l seem to be all right
Are you all right, Sylvan"
"Shamefully and outrageously well.
What a season too. Everybody else is
IN rags makeup rags! Isn't that a dis
agreeable remark? But I'll come 10
the paint brush, too, of course. We
all do Doesn't anybody ever see you
any moref"
She heard him laugh to himself IN
pleasantly-then, Does anybody want
toY'
Everybody, of course! You know it.
You always were spoiled to DEATH"
"Yes-to death"
"Stephenr
"Yes?'
"Are you becoming cynicalT
az? Why should IT'
"You are. Stop It! Mercy on us!
II that Is what is going on In certain
house on over Fifth avenue facing
the corner u certain streets, It's time
somebody dropped in to-
ITO whatr
''To the rescue! I've a mind to do 1t
myself They say you are not well
either"
"Who says that?'
"Oh. the usual little ornithological
cockatrice-or, rather, cantatrice. Don't
ask me- because l won't tell you.
always tell you too much anyway
Don't ~
do your
"of course l do. Everybody spoils
you, and so do l."
Yes am rather In that way. /
suppose"
"What wayT
"Oh-spoiled."
"Stephen"
"Yesr
And in lower voice. "Please don't
say such things-will Your
"No"
Especially to me-"
Especially to you. No. I won't,
Sylvia"
And, after a hesitation. she continu-
Cd sweetly
ct wonder what you were doing. all
alone In that old house Of yours, when
called you upf"
'T? Let me see. Oh, was superin-
tending some packing"
"Are you going OF somewheref'
81 think So"
"whereY'
/ 81 don't know, Sylvia"
II decline to be snubbed. I'm shame
less, and wish to be informed. Please
tell me-"
I'D rather not tell you"
every well. Goodbyl But don't ring
or just yet, Stephen. Do you think
that some time you would care to see
any people, mean when you begin TO
20 out AGAIN.
"Who, for example7"
"Why, anybody
mo; l don't think should care TO.
I'm rather too busy to go about, even
if were inclined to-"
Are you really busy, Stephen
'Yes-waiting That is the very
hardest sort Of occupation, and I'm
obliged to be on hand every minute"
But you said that you were going
out of town"
"Did 1? Well. did not say 1t exact.
~, but l am going to leave town"
"For very longT she asked.
Perhaps. l can't tell yet"
stephen, before you go, II you are
going for a very, very long while-per.
haps you will-you might care to say
goodby."
do you care to have meT'
"Yes, do"
There was a silence, and when his
voice sounded again It had altered.
81 do not think you would care to
see me. Sylvia I-they say | AMI
have changed-since my-since a slight
Illness. l am not over It yet, not cured
not very well yet, and a little tired,
you sea little shaken. am leaving
New York TOTO try once more to be
cured. expect to be well-ene way or
another
stephen, where are you golng7 An
swer meg'
ct can't answer you"
els your illness seriousr
"A-it is-it requires some-some
care"
Her fingers frightened around the re.
eeiver whitened to the delicate nails
nnder the pressure. Mute. struggling
with the mounting impulse, voice and