Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-04

ANONYMOUSLY I'D anu ITO the icii<tu Oh us
corridor, like man timing his stepi
to the heavy ache OF body or mind.
Once he went as far rs his own door,
entered and, stepping to the wash basin,
let the ley water run over hands and
wrists This sometimes helped 10
stimulate and soothe him. II did now
for awhile--long enough to change the
current OF his thoughts to the girl he
had hoped might have the imprudence
TO return for tryst, Innocent enough
In itself, yet unconventional and un'
reasonable enough TO prove attractive
to them both.
Probably she wouldn't come. She
had kept her fluffy skirts clear OF him
since cup day, which simply corrobo-
rated his vague estimate OF her, Had
she done the contrary his estimate
would have been the same. for uncon-
sciously, but naturally. he had pre-
judged her. A girl who could capture
Quarter at full noontide and In the
face of all Manhattan was girl equip.
ped for anything she dared. though she
was probably too clever to dare too
much: a girl to be interested In, to
amuse and be amused by; a girl to be
reckoned with. His restlessness and
his fever subdued by the icy water. he
stood drying his hands. thinking cool.
~ how close he had come 10 being
seriously i'm love with this young girl.
whose attitude was always a curious
temptation, whose smile was charm
beauty were TO him a perpetual chaI-
lenge. He admitted TO himself calmly
that he had never seen woman he
cared as much for; that for the brief
moment OF his declaration he had
known an utterly new emotion, which
inevitably must have become the love
he had so quietly declared 1t TO be.
He had never before felt as he felt
then cared as he cared then. Any
thing had been possible for him at that
tlme-any degree of love, any devotion.
any generous remuneration. Clear
sighted, master OF himself. he saw love
before him and knew IL when he saw
it--recognized II. was ready for It, Of
fered il, embroidered by her soft hands
so eloquent in his.
And In his arms he held Il for an in
slant. he thought spite of the sudden
inertia. spite of the according of cold
lips and hands still colder. relaxed, in
ert-held It until he doubted.
Then she had become intelligent
again with n little laughter, a little
malice. a becoming tint of hesitation
faa oil "a
arts. al the friendly sweetness Of
woman thorough in training. schooled
In self possession. clear enough TO be
audacious and perverse without danger
TO herself. to the man or to the main
chance
lie leisurely and mentally took the
measure OF his own state OF mind and
found all well. all intact. found him
self still master of his affections and
probably clear minded enough to re
main so under the circumstances.
BY instinct and experience normally
temperate only what was abnormal
and Inherited might work mischief
I'm this man His listlessness. his easy
acquiescence. were but consequent up
on the self knowledge Of self control.
but mastery Of The mister vice re-
Quired something different lie was
sick OF sickness. and because In this
sickness viii. mind and body are faint
ed. too. reason ard logic lack charity.
and 10 the signals OF danger his reply
had always been either overconhdent
or weak. and il had been always the
same reply: Not yet There is time"
And now. this last week. II had come
upon him that the time was now. The
si.irmish was already on. and il mad
CHARMED him suddenly to find that the
skirmish was already a battle. and
rough one.
AS he stood there be heard voices on
the stairs People had already begun
to retire. because late cards and point
shooting nj dawn do not agree. And
point shooting picnic I'm snugly elah.
crate blinds was popular with women.
or was supposed TO be-
Little by little the tumult died away.
He turned and looked grimly at his
bed: then. shutting of the lights. he
opened his door and went ont into the
deserted corridor, where the elevator
shaft was dark and only. the dim night
lights burned Mt angles in the passage
ways.
lie had his rain coat and cap with
him. not being certain Of what he
might be driven to. but for the present
he found he bay window overlooking
the swimming tank sufficient TO begin
the vigil
Secure from intrusion, as there We're
no bedrooms on that corridor. he toss
ed coat and cap into the window seat,
walked to and fro for awhile listening
TO the rain. then sat down. his well
shaped head between his hands. and I'm
silence he faced the enemy
How long he had sat there he did
not know When he raised his face,
all gray and drawn with the tension
OF conflict, his eyes were not very
clear. nor did the figure standing there
In the dim light from the hall mean
anything for a moment.
"Mr. Siwardr' In an uncertain voice,
almost whisper
He stood up mechanically, and she
saw his face.
Are you i'll? What Is III"
Oil? No" He passed his hand over
his eyes. II fancy I was close to the
edge of sleep" Some color came back
into his face. He stood smiling now,