The Dolores star., 1909-07-23

dering whether this could actually be
her greeting. He longed for some dem
onstration of love- and she spoke Of
breakfast The thought Of food sick
ened him.
"I'll tell Harris to have something
cooked at once" she said. You must
be famished after your journey. They
seldom prepare anything but an egg
or two for me-"
Pray don't trouble" he said. try
ing to hide his disappointment. I'm
not hungry"
Silence fell upon them for n mo-
ment. but she cloaked her embarrass-
ment, as before. with rush OF empty
words. He could not tell whether or
not she felt any real emotion, but It
was wholly evident she wished to dis
play none. She asked the usual Ques-
tions about his voyage. spoke Of the
defects Of the local train-service. keep
ing him rigidly In the conventional rut.
Her process dazed him. but he made
an effort to strike the personal note.
You have not changed, Coralie," he
said. Il was prepared to find you
aged"
She laughed-a shallow. little laugh
and dived back to the commonplace.
She had great deal to say to him
about q local bazaar In aid OF some
deserving mission, and he could not tell
whether any OF the old love lay hidden
beneath this flood of foolish words. 1t
was. at least, certain that she meant
to avoid scene, and he could not bat
tie against her volubility.
He found himself lying in wait for
some Indications OF her bright humor
oe Of the breadth OF mind that he had
80 confidently looked for. And. at last.
she did say something which might
have amused him from girl Of 20.
He responded to the poor little jest
with ghastly grin and q sinking
heart.
The butler announced breakfast.
Mansfield followed her to the break
fast.room. He would not admit to
himself that he was disillusioned.
"Coralie." he whispered fervently as
he walked after her through the long,
slippery hall. She did not hear him.
because she was talking fast over her
shoulder. Even the beloved name now
seemed cheap, tawdry. theatrical. 1t
suggested a music-hall artist.
Mansfield seated himself at the Ia
ble--their places had been laid many
feet apart-and tried manfully to eat
the food prepared for him. She. sitting
at the head OF the table. behind a bar.
ricade OF jugs and plated ware. talked
on incessantly. 1t required some effort
on his side 10 follow whst see .sata
The human interest was wholly lack
ing until, at the close OF the meal
she blundered upon something which
gave him the clue to his dIsillusion.
ment.
MRS. Huntley?" he said. II seen,
to remember that name. Is she .
friend Of yours?"
"Oh, no." she answered plaintively.
"a mere acquaintance. don't get on
with women, az you may remember
Il remember" he said; but sup.
posed you would outgrow that little
prejudice"
Women are SO jealous and spiteful
to their own SEX" she replied. with an
air of profundity.
He remembered that she had ex.
pressed the same generality In the
very same words at the age of 20.
Then he had thought her especially
astute. He perceived now that her
judgment was narrow and false, and
1t dawned upon him that Coralie'a
mind had aged as little as her body.
"You have not changed at ALL" he
said wistfully as he looked at the
foolish. girlish face above the barri-
cade Of jugs.
I'm 30 glad you think SOL" she said,
and slight blush confirmed her pleas.
ure. But perhaps you only say 1t AZ
. compliment, Herbert?" she added
softly.
mo" said Mansfield; "it's the lit.
eral truth"
Half-an-hour later he caught q train
to Southampton. Coralie never fully
understood why hs returned to South
America. 49, 2