Evening star., 1909-04-24


This time her laugh had a tinge of bit
terness in it. And you have found it
what yoI mean?''
Don't misunderstood me-" he pleaded.
Il have been holding your happiness N
view quite as much as my own"
Il don't misunderstood you: on the con-
trary, / think I understand you perfectly.
You are willing to make some sacrifice
and to run some risk. You asked me
once what / had read; long time ago l
read a book In which there is a man
called Mr.. Worldly Nlseman. l think
Mr.. Worldly Wiseman was never honestly
in love-with any one but himself
"Ca it what you will, Marguerite
"Madge," she corrected, but he went on
headlong over the Interruption have
been a conventional fool. But 1 do love
you dearly-and for yourself alone. More
over. 1 need you
She refused to be placated. Il don't
want to be needed in that sense" she
retorted. giving him back his own word.
You don't know much about women,
Mr.. Eandenberg. You said once that
reminded you Of the Amazons; l shall
never say Yes to man who is not
stronger than amin every way"
X
Recalling it in after time, Vandenberg
could never remember the phrasing of the
passionate appeal wherewith he sought -
shake her resolution. But that was pe-
cause of the thing that came between.
In the midst Of his plea he saw her eyes
fill with a very womanly terror, and she
broke him with word.
"Look"' she gasped, pointing past him; !;
and he did look, to see the water trickling
over the top Of the landslide dike-to see
the dixie itself crumbling and sliding
down upon them at the bidding of the
mighty pressure Of the pent-up flood be-
hind it.
1t was a sufficient proof of Vanden-
berg's complete recovery that he played
the strong mans part in what followed.
With that one backward glance for the
sliding avalanche he stopped, gathered
the small one in his arms, and ran with
her up the steep slope of the canyon side
with the plunging torrent Of mud and
water and grinding powders swapping at
his heels as he climbed.
1t was all over in a minute or two; but
he held her close till she asked to be put
down. But now he found their parts were
quite reversed; and when they came TO
make their way down the canyon. which
they did In the tremulous silence which is
the natural aftermath of any narrow es-
cape, she took his offered arm and chung
to him as any girl might.
Winters and Peter OF Tennessee saddling
In hot haste to go and look for them,
alive or dead; and there was a pean of
repoicing not to be measured in set
phrases or cold-type words. Vandenberg
considerably forbore to press his suit;
but before he went back to the hotel ne
had final word with Madge.
II leave the Park tomorrow he said
MAY I come back In the autumn-for
your"
mo; not for me-" she said; and so it
ended, with Vandenberg ambling for the
last time back to the summer camp inn,
the great blue vault of the attitudes un-
changed and unchanging overhead. and
the bottomless pit of life-disappointmeat
opening before him.
4 +
There was a goodly gathering of art
lovers in Mrs. Calmaine's spacious draw
ing rooms on Colfax avenue on the night
Of the reception given to her young guest:
and Vandenberg, who was tarrying a few
days in Denver. was one Of the hidden
ones. ITO meet Miss Margaret Beau
champ" was the way the invitation read;
and he had accepted because MS frienu-
ship with the Calmaines antedated by
many years his late literary success.
He argued this all out with himself on
the way to the hospitable house at the
back OF Capitol Hill. 1t was for Mrs.
Calmaine's sake he was going. He knew
Miss Beauchamp only by repute as a ris-
ing young sculptor; and with a craftsman's s
offishness would have avoided rather than
sought reception" meeting of her. But
friendship has it's claims; and so Van
d~nberg went to do the conventional
thing.
Arrived at the house he found that he
was more than fashionably late: and so
had some difficulty in finding his hostess
in the throng.
"one favor, Mrs. Calmaine.' he begged,
this after the greeting and apologies.
please don't introduce me to too many
people. can find my way about
"Oh, but 1 want you to know Mar
guerite," said the good lady, making a
place for him at her side. Don't lose
yourself till find her.
The drift brought him in due course 10
the rearmost of the open rooms, and to
an alcove portiered, and lighted from
above by studio toplights. A draped
bench stood in the curtained
space, and upon it some of the young
smaller pieces in the clay were
on exhibition.
Then some one at the piano began to
play an accompaniment: and when the
crush drifted musicward Vandenberg was
left alone in the miniature studio
He lifted the damp cloth covering from
one of the pieces at random. 1t was a
replica Of one OF the Sirius bronzes; the
rior and the Amazon IN high relief that
tho silken-strong figure of the little noun
taineer had called to mind at their first
meeting.
by Jove." he said to himself; and
then he lifted another of the damp cloths
lifted it and started back with a still
stronger exclamation.
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