The Marshall republican., 1909-12-24
CHAPTER X.

Nichard'e promotion came sooner
than he had dared hope. The art critic
was to take o trip to Europe, and
Derring was offered the position.
Something In the quality OF his ar.
tioles had attracted attention; and he
had even handed In several specials
on his own account, that were ac-
cepted with some show of interest.
He owed his rapid advancement
partly, too. to something that, for
want Of better name, we call per-
sonality. Those who came near him
felt its influence. The ONCE boy ap-
proved Of him; the managing editor
stood ready to help him. That he gave
no return to the liking he inspired
seemed to make NO difference. His un.
satisfied heart was magnet, drawing
to itself the particles of humanity and
holding them.
His new work took him to the Art
Institute and into the world OF artists,
and be saw his new friend often.
Sometimes they stopped for word In
the halls: sometimes he sought her
studio in the intervals Of work. Their
relation had become that Of good.com.
radeship. DerrinG supposed that he
felt towards her as he would have felt
towards man--if there were such q
man. He turned to her with each new
interest. They discussed every sub
ject in the range OF art, literature ana
life. But their intercourse was free
from even hint Of love-making. She
had only the grays and browns Of her
apparel.
With his promotion and increase Of
salary Derring had changed his board
Ing place to q pleasanter part of the
city. He had not thought to ask her
where she lived. II had not occurred
to him that he might happen on the
same place until the first night at din
ner when he raised his eyes from his
plate and found her on the opposite
side of the table, smiling quietly at his
surprise.
That she saw the surprise was evil
dent. But that she OWNED the accom-.
panying vexation could be guessed
only frcsn the care she took to put
him al ease. II was, like her. She
would not be SO stupid as to misun-
derstand him any more than a man
would have done.
1t was three months after the be-
ginning of their acquaintance that he
hurried into the studio one morning
TO ask her to lend him book he had
seen In her bookcase. lie was short
Of material, he explained. He wanted
to work up the Arundel collection. IL
she would lend him that book 1t would
save him trip to the library.
In his haste he did not notice
though he remembered Afterwards
the slight hesitation with which she
took the book from the case and hand.
ed 1t to him. II was a small, leather
bound pocket edition, such as tourists
carry. and bore in gilt, on the side,
"The Masterpieces of Europe and
England"
Yes, that is IT," He opened it at
random, running the leaves through
his fngers. ~ will bring IL back
soon"
With the book still open in his hand
he hurried from the room. II
Five minutes later he appeared
again In the doorway.
Il shall have to go to the library
after ALL" he said. abruptly. Il have
brought back your book"
Il am sorry you did not find what
you wanted" She did not look up
from her work. She could not have
seen the color in his face and she may
not have noticed the slight tremor in
his voice as he replied:
TITS no matter. can find il at the
library.
1t had become a matter of course
that he should come and 60 in this
easy way, with no ceremony; but It
had not become matter Of course
that he should leave the studio with
his pulses laundering in his ears, Yet
nothing had happened. He had turned
the leaves carelcssly In his hand as he
went down the stairs
1t had stared at him from the white
page ITO John Dalton, with love.
Helen Gordon"
II rang In his ears as he hurried on
hat and coat and hastened to the H.
brary. 1t danced before his eyes be-
tween the pages of books. with
love- That meant history. And
she had the book now There had
been either parting or death.
Stupid He had not guessed or
dreamed. The restful quiet Of her life
covered q dead secret
He fund himself. through the day
and as he walked home at night, re-
peating over and over, as II It were a
refrain: "The ashes OF dead love-
Yess that was what Il was like--that I
restfulness of hers--passion burned
10 ashes. Why had he never guessed?
And was II deads Would she love
again?
The question stung him, He quick
cned his pace. He had not thought Of
her before as q woman And yet Il
was strange that be had not Il came I,