Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-05

it until his arrival He had come over to New York to
plan frieze for Louis Quinze musicroom, and it
Cured to him to to Middleton to close the sale
of the property himself He took the train OH the dav
that he thought of it, and arriving in Middleton next
morning. inspected his old home with his agent gave his
instructions and found himself with half day to
spare.
He turned at once to Judge Hasses cottage. He was
himesf he was always dissocated in his own mind
from the events in which he figured that his own respon
sibty never occurred to him. That he had had hand
in whatever Jane had become did once cross his
mind They had reacted upon each other for time that
was all; why was he to blame to praise to be
responsible for standards that she had chosen feel
thereafter? 1t did not occur to him.
1t pleasant to that nothing about the place had
changed The arbor, the white gable in the green the
marigold bed, were all sereney in place Even as he
looked little pink frock fitted out of the arbor, and
then another Catching sight of him entering the gate
both little figures drew back abashed and the next mo-
It's Rudolph" cried Eva.
"Wudolph" echoed Margery ecstaticaly.
Rudolph stared at them. Who they? How did
they know his name?
They laid hold upon him by each hand and led him
down the path, pouring secrets in his ears.
You've been way off" Eva informed him.
"On the boat" supplemented Margery.
Have you to take all back with you?" de-
nanded Eva point-blank.
"On the boat?" inquired Margery, feverishly.
She said you'd back any more" cried
Eva I'm going to tell her."
where's all my nice candy? inquired Margery eye
ing his pockets suspiciousy.
lessly after Eva, who had just clamorously upon
Jane, bringing her book to the arbor.
Oh, come on and see Rudolph" called Eva joyfuly
:" You said he'd back, but he is F."
Jane him in the door of the arbor under the vel
low roses. She stood still, and her hand clasped little
Evas till the child looked up in terror. Then they went
together quietly enough, and Jane put out her hand
" How strangel " she said.
She stood looking up Rudo1phs face-the face that
she had hungered and thrSted see her eyes Selling
upon the remembered soft hair, and tender mouth and
deep curious atmosphere of unrealty was about
him; used had she to her dream of him that
his presence was almost that of stranger. But how
like-how like!
"Im so glad Jane" said Rudolph, looking wonder
ingy into the face that had much womanliness
Are you glad too?"
Jane sank the arbor seat and he sat opposite her.
watching this new Jane with great returning tender
ness her eyes were on the ground and she strug
Cling with strange impression of resentment Why
had he come Why had he from the grave to
find her and to mock her peace? She spoke the words
aloud
"Why have you come bact?" she asked perplexedlv
The words reused Rudolph.
Now, really, he cried, lightly what welcome for
a returned wanderer! have come to see yo of course
You are to say at once that you glad see me-"
His words put Jane at her If this were to be
his attitude she knew what to do
Indeed, am glad" she said, relaxing; Eva please
ask Mary for bottle of raspberry wine and some seed
cakes"
time to question her about them, absorbed was he in
wonder at the gentle retcence and the quiet that had
to her.
ell me OF you, SAID Jane, feeling lnStlnctVey that
to encourage to talk of themselves is the only
refuge from personalities. Rudolph fell a willing vic
tim and he talked freely, panstakngy and uxuriousy
of himself He told her of his life in Paris of his work.
of the admrations the tributes, the dinners all but the
affairs indeed, that had been his He spoke idly of this
school and that cult and now and then he dropped into
of his old ecstac moments of the worship of somc-
thing good. Jane listened in amazement The sanity
and reality of her life made her sit above him she
did above some gorgeous butterfly waving its wings
admiringly at its own shadow.
And now said Rudolph, finally, what of youa
What of you, Jane? Tell me-"
Eva and Margery came back them little Hebes of the
raspberry wine and yellow cakes
"The cakes are just baked, mother explained Eva.
Rudolph started at the address.
Jane he cried Why Jane no one has told me'
Jane poured the sweet wine, strange little smile upon
her lips =,
mo" he assured her. Who is your husband, Jane?"
Jane handed the delicate, beady drauqghtt.
He is dead" she said, meeting Rudophs eyes. He
died long ago."
Rudolph murmured his sympathy and looked at her
with eyes he drained his glass.
How owe exquisite she ted %a @ how I wpan mar .% hoy s her
him-this whom another man had won for his
own. She was apparently happy, and he himself though
looked through the twisted arbor rosebouehs, and the
hum of the peaceful garden came pleasantly and
ingly to his His eyes sought James.
dead long ago" he repeated "Oh, Jane" he said,
like tired child do you think-do you think that you
could love me-now?
"Jane slipped her wine, and met his eyes, and smiled
"f!" she said TRANQUILITY. II would be lost in Paris"
"Iet us stay here them" cried Rudolph, with inn
petuous determination will not sell the hill house.
Come there with Let lis make home, and be one
anothersl"
Jane shook her head still smiling.
Indeed cannot" she said, gently; indeed cam
not"
Rudolph, his amazement whetting his decision, grew
eloquent and his wounded dignity spoke for him. Jane
smiled and slipped her raspberry wine.
"Indeed | cannot" she repeated.
"Oh is it." he asked finally, with some bitterness,
that you are one of the women who are true to
aYes,' she answered "that is it. true to
memory"
When he went away, trying in vain to assuage his hurt
bv pretense of amusement at himself Jane looked after
him through the rose boughs with suffering, no Bit
terness no regret The childrens voices came to her
calling Rudolph clamorous goodby from the gateposts
over the marigold bed "'The never-ighted fire., she
said how many it warns!