Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-10-30

lnI until she walked over 10 him
and touched him on the shout
~ der. Then be sat up imps-
tiently.
did / not promise to call al your
housey' he asked angr1ly. Why did
you come here?'
"Are you ashamed because ! came
while all those people were here"'
Mimi asked. hurt and drawing away
from him.
"Oh. no: not at all. I promised TO
call and l can't understand why you
did not wait" Kari answered.
Mimi timidly leaned down and put
her arms around bis neck. Then she
said pleadingly:
"Oh, Karl. dear, please don't get
married"
Don't; you'n spoil my collar" Karl
exclaimed. trying to avoid her em-
brace. Mimi began to cry softly.
Before ! saw these people ! hardly
ever thought Of your marriage" she
said. but now. Karl. dear. my heart
aches. Please don't get married"
Kari was touched by her grief in
spite Of himself. He reached over and
patted her cheek.
There, don't cry. dearie; please
don't cry" he said. 1T makes you
homely."
Mimi frightened instantly. and her
tears vanished. leaving her face smil-
ing.
Il am a silly little girl" she said.
Eyes. you are. but ! like you very
much" Karl said. taking her in his
arms. Now. Mimi, suppose we talk
over our marriage quietly aud sensibly,
You may as we'll stay, now that you
are here. Take OF your hat and your
jacket"
He arose and was helping her of
with her red wooden jacket. Then he
Rugged her and said as be kissed her
lips:
II am your best friend, after all
Mimi, and you are my
The door opened silently, and Millar
entered. taking up ksrrs speech with:
My Overcoat. 1t Is here somewhere.
Your servant gave me yours"
Karl and Mimi drew away from each
other. and Millar looked at them, smil-
ing.
Its very singular" be said, but
each time enter your studio find a
lady disrobing. You might think this
was ladies' tailoring establishment"
Mimi looked ut Karl jealously a. he
glared ut Millar. Then she burst into
tears and ran out Of the room. Karl
watched her, and as she slammed the
door he turned to Niliat. aud quietly
said:
THANK you very MUCH"
"Oh. don't mention it,"
II will get your oyercOat, and don't
let me detaln you." said Karl. with sig
nifcant emphasis.
Il broke the hanger. Your man is
mending it and viii bring it here"
Millar said coolly, IL boring the marked
impOliteness.
Karl said nothing more. and after O
few minutes OF silence Millar resumed
Il just saw something that touched
he deeply-Mme. Hoffman, clinging to
her husbands arm US If she were beg.
ging him to protect her,
Protect herr Karl exclaimed angri.
~. You don't mean to protect her
from meT'
Look here, Karl do you think you
Are wise to be foolT'
Il prefer not to discuss this subject, u
Karl answered coldly "You don't
seem to understand my position. Why
1t is absurd. have seen this woman
every day for years: met her and bel
husband. We have been good friends
That's all absolutely, and had
thought Of anything else should laugh
at myself. In wealth, position. every
thing, she is above me-"
mo woman Is above her own heart,
Millar replied cynically. Look at her
She Is yours II you want her. JUS,
stretch out your hand, my boy. and
you have your warmth, your happi
ness. your joy-unspeakable Joy, thu
most supreme Joy possible to human
being-and you are too lazy to react
out your hand. Why, another mar
would toll night and day, risk bis life
and limb, for such a woman, yet sh,
drops into your arms unsought, a found
treasure" E''''.
Karl laughed bitterly.
"A found treasure" he repeated
perhaps that Is why am indiner
ent."
Miliar moved over to where thu
young artist was seated on the couct
and sat beside him. He leaned TOWARD
Karl and spoke low and earnestly
keeping his big, black, glittering eye.
fixed on him.
Last fall. on the 9Th of September
shall never forget the date-I had .
singular experience" he said. Il pu
on an old suit Of clothes one had no
worn for some time. and as l picket
up the waistcoat sovereign droppe,
out from one of the pockets. 1t ha,
been there no one knew how long.
picked it up, saying to myself as
turned the gold piece over in my hand
4 wonder when you got there 1t slip
ped through my fingers and rolled int
some dark corner.
Il searched the room trying to fin,
1t, but my sovereign had gone. be
came nervous. Again ! searched, wit
no result l became angry, took VI
the rugs, moved the, furniture about
and called my man to help me.
grew feverish with the one though
that l must have that sovereign. Sud
denly a suspicion seized me. l spran