The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-10-27

down to my finger tips-the ones you
are squeezing and the others--and !
feel all bubbly near my heart, just like
that liquid in your glass. And Is that
what all the other men are saying to
the ladies here that makes them smile
and look so pleased"
Once more, after puzzled look, the
man gave vent to prolonged laughter
Il give it up" he said at last 81
only know you are the most entranc-
ing and battling bit of femininity
have ever encountered in my varied
career"
Later as they were slipping their
coffee the man inquired, What would
you like to do now? It's rather late
for the theatre; would you care to
look in at a ball?'
Pierette considered and pursed her
pretty mouth in the effort.
81 think | should like to ride in the
carriage you brought me in; that
didn't make noise or smell horribly.
May we?"
Certainly; anything you like"
Soon they we're dashing through
brilliantly lighted and thronged thor
oughfares to plunge suddenly into a
still and silent street lined with dig
nifled and solemn houses. Then again
the glare and noise and movement
After time Pierrette said, "And now
would like intense quiet and peace
and green trees and gardens"
Obedient to her whim the motor was
whirled about, and ere long they were
rolling smoothly into fresher, sweeter
air and along silent roads. Above a
young spring moon made shadows Of
swaying branch and leaf. Pierrette
sank back against the cushions with a
sigh of supreme content.
What glorious night" said the
man, looking up at the stars.
Don't" murmured Pierrette ner-
vously. "Pierrot might
What did you say?" inquired the
man.
"Oh, nothing" She shivered lit
tie The man reached for her own
cloak lying on the opposite seat, but
Pierrette stopped him. mo, no, I'm
not cold yet"
Presently she found one of her
gloveless hands nesting contentedly in
that of the man. She liked the warm
human clasp. She was very we'll sat
isfied and leaned a little nearer to
him.
And this is really real, isn't it?"
she whispered.
ut seems to me more like a dream
than anything | have ever expert.
enced," said the man quietly. Very
tenderly he put an arm about her and
drew her to him. She did not resist,
but trembled with shyness and GER
tain sweet delight. She lay against
his arm, her heart beating to suffoca-
ton, but with an infinitely pleasing
palpitation.
In the penumbra of long line of
dropping trees the man bent to her
lips. For an instant she yielded to the
new, divine madness; she became gid
dy, then, burning through her brain
like white hot iron soaring all else
away was the thought, What would
Pierrot say?" She could not tell him
this.
She tried to draw away, but the man
held her close.
NO, no. sweetheart; l can never
let you go. Witch or sprite-what-
ever you are-you have woven spell
about me that | cannot understand,
but l know you can never break.
care not who nor what you are /
want you and shall have you and keep
you with me forever, though 1 fight
the whole world to get you. Dearest,
look at me; let me see your eyes"
All! this was real, real.
Pierrette struggled frantically to
free herself. ''You must let me gol
You must let me go!" she painted,
why won't you let me go?"
Because / love you"
mo, no; this is not love. I know
NJ" -Nillo 1911 ltdi. real IOVc means
sacrifice, subservience of self, and all
DEVOTION She broke into sobs and
fell back quivering. I'm cold, so cold,
and frightened"
The man caught up her cloak and
put it carefully about her, and then
Softly but swiftly she floated up in
the still night air-and on and on, up
and up. The noise and roar of the
city's streets gave way to an ineffable
silence and coolness; the great belts
of Illumination became again tiny
points of light. Sweet and fresh the
rarefied night air famed her hot
cheeks.
With little cry of joy and relief
she slipped upon a low hanging cloud
and began to scramble up It's side.
There, In the half-light was some one
standing, who now came to her with
outstretched arms.
"Pierrette!"
"Pierrot!" And she was sobbing on
his breast and clinging to him with
frantic clutch. Never, never let me
go again; | found all the real things
down there were only pretence while