Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-01-08

hope
| OLGA went nearer to Karl and spoke
; seriously.
'She Is very charming girl. Karl"
IF you say one word more about that
girl | shall fall in love with her imme-
! Giatcly. which would be ahead Of my
matrimonial schedule" Karl replied
/ jesting!y. You know l am not obliged
+ TO fall in love until tonight"
We'll. well. must be off," Herman
said rs he went up to kiss Olga. Good
by. dear l shall call for you at
O'Clock"
Almost against his will, Karl asked
Il question which he had never before
In all his life thought Of
Aren't you afraid to leave your
wife alone?
"AlOne"'
with me. mean"
Herman looked ut him and then
| spoke jeStingly. but with an effort. 81
am hurrying away because am afraid
l shall change my mind aud take Olga
with me-" he said.
| on UTc IlOt JculOuS. OlSu uSkeu.
IF you don't want the truth-no. l
am not" Herman replied. and in his
tone there was the peculiar meaning
which his words did not convey IF l
We're not afraid of becoming ridicu-
lous should say warningly. Children,
be sure to be good"
He paused and looked at both Of
them. Then he said:
| "GOodby."
IS he turned Karl followed and es-
sorted him through the door. Olga
stood frowning, worried, Ill at ease
Earl looked at her In surprise when
he returned.
What is the matter?" he asked
Olga started nervously and looked
ut him She pressed her hands before
her eyes and for u moment did not
speak. She looked away Us Karl ap-
preached her and said tenderly:
Are you afraid? Please tell me-
Il don't know what Is the matter
with me, but just now. when my hus-
band went away. l felt as if had
been left without n protector"
She broke Off abruptly, and Karl
urged her to explain.
What do you mean? l don't under
stand" he said
| Yes. you do. Karl" Olga said as
she turned and faced him. You know.
have fought against coming here for
six ycars-cvcr since my marriage"
She looked away from him, around
the studio. with its bizarre decorations,
and shuddered
Ugh. This place looks like devils
Kitchen" she cried. These strange
things, terrible monsters. cold, white
statues. heads without bodies. and you
In their midst like n conjurer-I did
not notice them while Herman was
here. but now
Karl turned swiftly toward her.
| But now" he asked.
| Olga looked ut him with an express
sion OF terror in her eyes. The two
stood thus ut bay,
CHAPTER V.
III EFT to themselves in the bi,
IL studio. facing each other,
/ IINENi7 Karl and Olga were silent
GO There was q look In Karl's
eyes that Olga had never seen before
There was IL tumult In her heart that
she had never before felt. 1t was
Karl who first recovered himself and
tried to break the silence. trying to
speak lightly.
Don't be nervous" he said reassur-
ingly. This Is the reception room Of
my studio. Every woman l paint
comes here"
And do you paint every woman who
comes here" Olga asked slowly.
NO." Karl replied shortly.
There was another awkward pause.
| Olga could not tell why she had asked
that question any more than Karl could
have told Why he had asked Herman
IL he was not afraid to leave them
alone l. was some unsupported jeal-
ousy that prompted 1t.
Did you understand my husband?"
Olga asked.
Yes. think 1 did"
"IIe said 4 trust YOU Why should
he say that? Why should 1t not be a
matter Of cOursc?"
"You don't think he Is really jeal-
ous?"
| Olga shook her head.
Il don't know" she said. During
the six years we have been together
and you have been our friend he has
often pretended to be jealous. This
time there was something In his voice
that made me believe 1t was more than
pretense 1t Is the first time he has
ever left us alone"
| They were standing. Karl near the
door, where he had hidden Herman
farewell. Olga was on the opposite
side Of the apartment. In the alcOve In
one corner an open fire burned brightly.
casting q red glow over the big. COM
Portable armchair drawn up before
It, with Its high. pulpit shaped back
toward them. Karl walked over to
Olga and said with quiet earnestncss:
! I'VE have tried to avoid 1t. Olga,
tried for six years. Now that the sit
4, uation Is fOrccI upon us. why not be
honest? Let US talk about 1t frankly"
Il think 1t was sweet not to discuss
1t for six long years." Olga said. smil-
ing ut him. "A clean conscience Is
like warm cloak. Karl. 1t infolds
US and makes us feel SO comfortable"
| She tried to make her mood seem
light, but Karl would not fall in with
II.
| Last night when 1t was suggested
that I should paint your portrait you
gave me Il look had never seen be-
FORE" he persisted. II wonder why"
Il don't know" Olga answered, her
fear returning. Don't let us talk
about 1t. cont want to-"
| You must not he afraid Of me.
Olga. If were any one else you might
/ - 81