Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-01-08


trgether in a palace. We looked a
each other, and l think we under
stood"
Olga covered her burning face witt
her hands. and Karl went on:
We kissed each other quite limo
ccntly-just one kiss, the memory o
which has almost faded"
Yes, Karl, faded" Olga cried eager
ly. I'VE have grown up sensibly, ant
we never mentioned It."
Karl seemed not to hear her interrup
ton. He went on:
You became IIerman's wife an(
went to live in palace. 1 found yol
there when came back from Paris
still fond Of you, but determined neve
to tell you so, and when I met yol
again I, too, was somewhat changed
Stfll. when our eyes met. Olga. 1t wa.
with the same look Of the two poor
longing little beggars Of the years ago
But we did not kiss again"
why not?" Olga breathed.
Your husband and l are the best
Of friends" Karl said. Though VT
have met hundreds of times. you ant
/, we have not mentioned it."
Olga turned to him gratefully ant
held out her hand to clasp his.
You are 4 good, true friend. Karl"
Are you satisfied now" Karl asked
her. smiling. You are not afraid OF
me, are YOU"
mo, but there was something in my
husbands voice that frightened me-
Olga answered. He knows what We
were to each other, and when he was
leaving US here alone l think it made
him feel uncomfortable. We aren't
In love any more, are we, Karl?"
NO, of course not"
and it u sweet to think that we
have not entirely forgotten old times
isn't it,"
YES" lie answered absently.
And of course IL we loved each 9th
er still you would not marry, would
you. Karl:"
''Of course not" he said shortly.
Now you will get married and you
will be very. very happy. And l, too
shall be happy. because l want you tc
marry. and l myself have chosen q
sweet. clever girl for you"
Exactly" Karl acquiesccd dryly.
And now let Us think no more OF
It," Olga cried, her mood changing tc
one of Gayety.
She ran over to the door and turned
and faced Karl. knocking loudly on tn,
panel.
Nov fer VOL. We have done
nothing" shr said. Monsieur, l have
come 10 have my portrait painted"
Come in. madame" Karl said, bow.
ing gravcly and entering into her play
Good morning"
Il have come TO have my portrait
painted" Olga said again.
Karl forgot the playing and exclaim
ed seriously:
"Ah. last night | made memory
sketch OF you after | got home.
have made many. very many. but now
l see you differently"
why" Olga asked. startled again
by his vehcmence.
yesterday l saw the lines of your
figure; today l see your SOUL" he said
Yesterday you were model; today
you are an inspiration"
please. Karl; please, don't. We
agreed TO ci.H everything" she pleaded
1T is hard to end everything so sud
denly"
Karl, my good friend. l did wrong
in coming here" Olga said. "Now
that l did come. let us work Take
your colors AID brush. We must get
through with 1t us soon as possible"
''You are right. Olga; as soon rs pos
sible."
what shall do firsti" she asked.
Take Off your hat and coat. please
Karl stepped toward her with out
stretched hands as II to help her. She
drew back. with Il little gesture of ap-
prehensiOa.
you mustn't touch me-" she said.
AS she brushed him Karl caught d
Whit Of fragrance FROM her hair that
was Intoxicating.
'Do you Use perfume en- your hair?'
he asked, quite innocently.
Certainly not" she laughed
''Oh, then. it is the natural perfume
Of eour hair. ra:t.ol me; | stood
too close to you"
Olga removed her hat and cloak She
looked up and saw that Karl was re-
gafding her intcntly.
You seem to be studying my fea-
lures" she said.
Il krow them by heart, each one"
he answered. Il am thinking Of d
pose. You know your husband wished
n half length IL evening gown"
Yes, | s.lov!d have preferred full
length il street costume"
Il agree with Herman. You must be
quick. 1t l.; setting dark"
What shall do"
Your waist You must take 1t Off.
You will find some shawls there from
which to select one for your shoulders.
l will go into the studio"
'Oh. Kari"
Don't mind. | shall close the door.
Oh. 1t is showing terribly" he added
as he moved toward the big studio.
Showing. oh, Karl. can't we post
pone this? l don't feel well today.
Tomorrow I could come and bring my
maid"
Certainly not. Your husband would
surely want to know why we did no
work today. Now | will leave you"
He left the room. closing the studio
doors behind him. Olga looked uppre-
hcnsively about her. Some mysterious
presence seemed TO Cypress her. She
fumbled with ncrvelcss fingers ut the
buttons of her waist.
"Oh, what folly" she cried to her
self. What Is the matter with me-"
Resolutcly she set to work and drew
from her beautiful shoulders and
cleaning rounded arms the silken
waist -. rN"':2l them. She turned
to get the shawl. and the waist fell to
the floor as she recoiled, with Il Shrek
of terror. from an apparition that arose
slowly from the depths of the big arm
chair.