Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-12-12

60 der Then DE sat up lmpa
tienuy
did I not promise 20 cau ~ YOU
hOusef' De asked aurrily why oil,
you come bcrcF"
Are YOU ashamed because I cam.
while an those people were here ~
Mimi asked hurt and drawing away
from him
"Oh. no; NOT at au I promised @
call and ] can't understand why yor
did not wait" Kari answered.
Mimi timldIy leaned down and put
her arms around Dis neck Then she
said pieadiuely.
"Oh. kari dear please don't get
married"
Don't; your spoil my collar" Kar
exclaimed. trying Co avoid beer en-
brace. Mimi began Co cry softly.
Before 7 SAW these people Z hardly
ever thought 10 your marriage" she
said. "but now. Kari dear. MY heart
aches. Please don't gct married"
Kari was touched hy her crief In
spite OF himself He reached over and
patted her cheek
There, don't cry. dcarie. please
don't cry" be said "lt makes you
homely"
Mimi frightened instantly and her
tears vanished leaving her face smn
ting.
Il am silly little girl" she said
'Nes. you are but , ike you very
much" karl said taking her in his
arms. Now. Mimi suppose we talk
over our marriage quietly and sensibly.
You may as well stay. now that you
ere here Take OF your hat and your
5ackct"
He arose and was helping her or
with her red wooden jacket. Then he
huggcd her and said as he kissed her
lips:
81 am your best friend. after all.
Mimi. and YOU are my
The door opened silently. and MWar
entered, taking up Karrs speech with.
MY overcoat II is here somewhere
Your servant gave me yours
Kari and Mimi drew away from each
other. and Milan looked az them. smi.
ing
Its very singular" be said. 'but
each time I enter your studio ] find O.
lady disrobiuC You might think thI-
was ladies' uiloriuc establishment"
Mimi looked 40 Kari .oalous.y ais l.
glared 40 Muar Then she burst ut
tears and ram ouJ of the room En.
watched beer ana as she slammed Old.
door be turned TO Muar aud quietly
said.
"Tbank YOU ve-y mr.A"
"Oh. don't mention r'
u viii get yon- ovarcoat ."f DOM
Yet me detsn you." said Kari. with sig
nificant emphasis
Il broke the hanger. Your man is
mendlng Il and will bring 10 here d"
Millar said cOolly. Ignoring the marked
impoliteuess.
Kari said nothing more. and after a
few minutes OF silence Millar resumed:
Il just saw something that touched
me deeply-Mme. Hoffman, clinging 70
her husbands arm as II she were beg
ging him 10 protect her"
Protect herr Karl exclaimed angri-
~. You don't mean 70 protect her
from me?"
LOOK here. Karl. DO you think you
are wise 10 be a fool?"
4 prefer not 10 discuss this subject. &"
Karl answered coldly. You don't
seem to understand my position Why.
IL Is absurd. have seen this woman
every day for years; met her and her
husband We have been good friends
That's al absolutely and had ]
thought OF anything else l should laugh
at myself In wealth. position. every
thing, she is above me-"
''No woman is above her own heart {"
Aillar replied cynically. Look at her
She is yours If you want her Just
stretch out your hand. my boy. and
you have your warmth. your happi-
ness. your Joy-unspeakable joy. the
most supreme Joy possible to a human
being-and you are too lazy to reach
out your hand. why. another man
would toll night and day, risk his life
and limb. for such a woman, vet she
drops into your arms unsought 8 found
treasure"
Kari laughed bitterly.
"A found treasure" he repeated.
Perhaps that is why l am indirer-
emit"
Aillar moved over 10 where the
young artist was seated on the couch
and sat beside him. He leaned toward
Karl and spoke low and earnestly.
keeping his big. black. glittering eyes
fixed on him.
Last fan. on the 9th OF September
i shall never forget the date-I had a
singular experience" he said Il put
on an old suit OF clothes. one I had not
worn for some time. aud as l picked
op the waistcoat sovereign dropped
out from one of the pockets. II had
been there no one knew how long
picked II up. saying TO myself as 1
turned the gold piece over In my hand,