The Marshall republican., 1909-09-03

On, you re not gong now, are you!
I've just come from her, you know.
and she'll be suspicious. Why mo-
give her time to forget a little? II
Isn't easy to wait. but I believe IT'S
better. Mrs. Ankony gives her dinner
tonight. You'd have a chance to talk
with her there. wouldn't your"
You're right" ! said; "Ill wait"
Mrs. Ankony was in high and be-
coming feather that evening. She
managed to veil her complacency I'M
til II missed being Objectionable. This,
however, % one Of the few occas-
ions which had come her way upon
which she could distinctly congratu.
late herself: a dinner in compliment
to my dear Barbara" a perfectly ap.
pointed dinner, too, and one / think
most Of her guests enjoyed. For my
self, l thought It would never end.
Most Of Barbara's friends were
there. and but few Of Ankony's. The
Forlorn Hope was there to a man,
seeking to present an unbattered
front. I had a kindred feeling for
them. Dan was not there. He simply
would not go. Bishop Winstanley sat
on the left Of the hostess, beside Miss
Streeter. He was delightfully."- fluent,
and she alphabetically attendant.
The soft light of the candles fell on
her hair, on her pure contour, on her
ivory skin and her pale shimmering
gown. She ate,' as the rest Of us, but
to me It was exactly as if a C~orreggio
or a Botticelli had leaned from her
frame to nibble a sweet wafer or trife
with a salad. Occasionally she spoke,
but ! did not hear what she said. I
seem never, somehow. to hear her
say anything, but when one looks as
she does what n says is immaterial.
Barbara was scintillant, with all
her old charm illuminated, as It were,
by something new and vivifying with
In. I watched her with a sinking
heart; surely she cared for Ankony or
she could not look like this. 7 told
myself so half a hundred times
through dinner, and after, finding her
with only three men dancing atten.
dance upon her, I promptly put them
all to rout that I might carry her of
and have II over.
Come out and see the roses" I
said.
Mr.. Ankony showed me them be-
fore dinner. They are beautiful"
But he didn't show you the moon,"
| smiled. trying to keep to the old
way Of chatting and laughter and so
not brighten her into being guarded.
There is a very benign lady smiling
out OF IL tonight, instead of our fat
friend with the round face and the
wide grin. Do come. You really must
see"
She arose with a laugh. "I ppo
may as well, or you'll be peopling Il
with all sorts of impossible creatures
just to tempt me-"
We went through the French win.
dows together. and 7 found her a
chair at the orne of the long porch.
I turned it about for her.
But It's directly in the light she
objected.
Exactly. | like you in the light. I
can see you better"
You could have seen me much bet.
ter indoors. II that is all YOU want"
1T isn't all l want. I am not so
modest. My wants are large tonight"
Were they ever otherwiseg" she
smilingly inquired.
"You ought to know. My prayers
have all been made to you"
"Oh, absurd! You don't expect me
to believe that, Mr.. Twining."
Those of them that have amounted
to anything" I modified.
THAT is better. But what is 1t you
want tonight? You make me curious"
Unable to keep up the bantering
tone longer and fearing a sudden in
%terruption, I leaned to her quickly:
II want you tell me the truth about
something, Barbara; will your"
She moved a little so that her eyes
were in the shadow.
II don't quite like the sound OF your
voice." she confessed; still lightly, lit
makes me a little apprehensive."
Wont you be serious, and honest?"
I begged.
Dear me. am I ever anything else
than honest?'
often, but come" ID
why. what can you be about to
ask me?"
only IL you are happy. Don't start
and ccu't be angry with me. And
don't ana yer hastily nor with evasion,
I am not to be evaded. You must un-
derstand how serious | am to have put
such a question to YOU"
ut is certainly the most extraordin-
airy behavior" she remarked coldly.
She vas looking at me with widely
questioning eyes, and she had grown
suddenly white. Did / know what
Dan had done? That vas what she
was asking herself. am sure. II am
entirely at a loss to explain why you
should have dared to ask me this"
y owe 1t to myself to make sure.
Barbara" ! told her. "Will you an
swer me1'
i ~ aaA4a -