Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-11-28
bout e. / don.t want to-

lou IuusC not De AFRAID or me.
Olga. If were any one else you might
be frightened. l am fond Of you, yes.
but respectfully. | do not see what
harm can bc done by talking every
thing over quietly. II seems SO long
ago-seveU years-sinee they told me
that Herman was TO be your husband.
1t was on the anniversary OF the
day
"Oh. Karly' she protested. holding
out her hands 10 silence him.
The day we kissed each other" he
went on, speaking so quietly that II
seemed almost a whisper. I'VE were
almost children then. l was a poor
little chap, who gave drawing lessons
TO Herman and his sisters. You were
a little waif. fed cake and tea at the
milliOnaire's table. There we met. a
beggar boy aud beggar girl. thrown
together in a palace. We looked at
each other, and l think we under
stood"
Olga covered her burning face with
her hands. and Karl went on:
we kissed each other quite limo
cently-just one kiss. the memory OF
which has almost faded"
Yes, Karl. faded" Olga cried eager
~. 1--WE have grown up sensibly. and
we never mentioned TT
Karl seemed not 10 hear her Interrupt
.ion. lie went on:
You becarNe Herman's wife and
went 20 live In palace found You
there when l came back from Paris.
still fond OF you. but determined never
TO tell you SO. and when l met you
again ], too. was somewhat changed.
StilL when our eyes met, Olga. It was
with the same look OF the two Door.
longing little beggars Of the years ago
But we did not kiss again"
"wby notT" Olga breathed.
''Your husband and | are the best
OF friends" Karl said Though we
have met hundreds OF times. you and
1. we have not mentioned It."
Olga turned to him gratefully and
held out her hand TO clasp his.
You are a good. true friend. Kari"
Are You satisfied nowT' Karl asked
her. smiling. You are not afraid OF
me, are your
mo. but there was something In my
husbands voice that frightened me-
Olga answered. HE knows what we
were 10 each other. and when he was
leaving us here alone think IL made
him feel uncomfortable. We aren't
in love any more. are we, KarlT"
NO. OF course not"
"And IL is sweet 10 think that we
have not entirely forgotten old times.
isn't IT."
Eyes" he answered absently.
"And Of course II we loved each 9TH
er sull YOU would not marry. would
you. Karlf"
"Of course not" he said shortly.
Now you viii get married and you
VIII be very. very happy. Aud /. too.
shall be happy. because / want you TO
marry, and / myself have chosen n
sweet clever girl for you"
Exactly" Karl acQuiesced dryIy.
And now let US think 10 more OF
H." Olga cried, her mood changing TO
one or gayety.
, She ran over to tho door and turned
and faced Kari, knocking loudly on the
panel
"Now for work. We have done
nothing" she said. Monsieur, / have
come 10 have my portrait painted"
Come in. madame" Karl said. bow
Ing gravely ana entering into her play.
Good morning"
Il have come 10 have my portrait
painted" Olga said again.
Karl forgot the playing and exclaim-
cd seriously:
"Ah. last night l made a memory
sketch OF you after got home
have made many. very many, but now
see you differently"
WHY" Olga asked. startled again
| by his vehemence.
Yesterday | saw the lines OF your
| figure; today ! see your soul" he said.
Yesterday you were a model; today
you are an inspiration"
Please, Karl; please, don't. We
agreed TO end everything" she pleaded.
1T is hard TO end everything so sud
denly"
Karl, my good friend. did wrong
I'm coming here" Olga said. "Now
that ! did come. let us work. Take
your colors and brush We must get
through with it as soon as possible"
You are right. Olga; as soon as pos
/ sible".
What shall do frstg' she asked.
Take OF your hat and coat, please"
Karl stepped toward her with out
| stretched hands as II TO help her. She
drew back, with a little gesture Of ap-
| prehensiOn.
You mustn't touch me-" she said.
AS she brushed him Karl caught a
Whit OF fragrance from her hair that
was Intoxicating.
do you use perfume on your halr7''
he asked. quite innocently.
Certainly not" she laughed.
"Oh. then, it is the natural perfume
OF your hair! Pardon me; 1 stood
too close to you"
Olga removed her hat and cloak. She
looked up and saw that Karl was re-
garding her intently.
You seem TO be studying my fea-
lures" she said.
| Il know them by heart, each one"
J he answered Il am thinking of a