The Marshall republican., 1909-12-31
cHAp n xl.

~ fStDhh hHa ~ ASoN So ga NhhN
studio and found her occupied with o
pupil. He had forgotten II was her
day for pupils. She would be busy
until four o'clock.
II will come around and walk home
with you'll I may"
"very we'll" she assented.
They stood In the doorway. Just out
Of sight OF the pupil, He was watch.
ing her face a%nxiously. He fancied
that she looked pale and worn, as II
she had not slept.
"You are tiredy" he questioned in q
low tone.
She admitted that she was--"a 1T.
tie"
Perhaps I would better not come
for you tonight"
mo. Come. It will rest me to
have some one to talk to-"
But n ! come. ! shall speak," he In.
sisted.
She did not raise her eyes to his 40
he had half hoped. She hesitated for
. moment, and then only said. as she
turned towards the studio, II will
wait for you"
He left the building, q tumult Of Joy
and doubt In his heart. She had given
him permission to speak. but she
seemed to have refused his demand
before II was made. He dared not
hope. He hoped In spite OF fear.
Az the day wore on the fear sub.
sided and the Joy Of love took pos.
session OF him. That. at least, she
could not take away. no matter what
she might refuse.
He found her alone, at work in the
gray afternoon light.
II am improving the last minutes"
she said, looking up 40 he entered and
speaking lightly, as II eager to put
their meeting on . commonplace foot.
ing.
He did not answer. but seated him.
self on the long couch opposite her.
He watched her az she sketched In
the outline of a still-life study. She
was sitting as usual, with the light
falling full upon her. Yes, he had been
right. Her face was pale.
Wuat u III uS dbhtu nut ultiyi ~
last, in a low tone.
II am afraid Of IT," she answered
quietly.
why"
Because things will never be the
same again"
II hope not" he responded quickly.
II want them to be. ! don't want
them to change" she replied as
quickly,
"Then they shall not. I won't say
anything more"
A silence fell on the studio. The
shadows In the corners grew darker
and heightened softly toward the ZEN
ter OF the room. The light suited the
room. Derring thought, as he sat wait
ing for her to speak. The harmonious
tones and subdued colors seemed to
gather and center In the quiet figure
under the skylight. II was always 30.
She would always gather the light and
life In everything and transmute II to
something softened and human,
she was trying the colors on the
edge of her block, making ready to
wash In the sketch, She spoke slow
". without looking up. But you know
that l love your"
Derring started suddenly. mo,
didn't know-you hadn't told me-"
Their y es met, and they broke into
a laugh.
} .You will marry met" he said
bluntly.
mo"
"Why notf" r
She had become absorbed In the
edge OF her sketch and was draw
ing futile, ineffective lines.
"why not?" he repeated,
"It's so selAsh"-after a pause.
"Selnsh Yt-blankly,
"yes, two people fall in love and
they forget everything else and mar
~. They seem to think that love jus
tihes everything"
ut does"
Slut there are other claims"
He was looking at her intently.
Grace must be sent to school and
the boys are hardly able to take care
of themselves; and there Is mother
They all depend on me-. Don't you
I see that II would be selish?" She wal
leaning forward and looking at him
I~mpsrsonaily. with the old air Of com
radeship.
"But I would help"
II know. Hut you have no right Il
marry yet. There would be children
and the children OF Bohemia are mo-
aiwAys so Happy as their parents. u
IA not fair that two people should b
happy at tine expense OF 90 much
Y Probably marriage was meant TO b
right but It Is all Was a. thing
are now"
Spoken With quiet conviction. rap
Idly. VIII ever she decided must b
right Hat one phrase stirred hi
pulses.
'sThat two people should be happy,
ne repeated. lyon think--'