Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-02-05

St4Ntu 10 see Tue game tuIOUSu.
Karl stared at her. rage giving place
t. amaZemcnt. then to despair. For
full minute no one spoke. The music
noatcd in softly from the ballroom.
mingled with the hum Of voices and
laughter. Olga was the first to break
the stiffness. but she did not look at
him as she spoke.
Karl, this Is the first time l have
had chance to talk with you tonight"
She said.
What Is that?" Karl absently asked.
lie had not heard. His mind was
confused. bewildered. Millar. cynical
ly misunderstanding his question. said
quickly:
"Why, that Is an opera cloak"
Olga turned quickly. fearful that the
remark might cause an eruption which
she could not control. She cried i'm
pulsively. seeking to divert the threat
cning train OF conversations:
The ball Is a great success. Every
one Is merry; every one dances as II 1t
were the first affair Of the season. The
girls are all as happy as young Wild
ows who have just taken of mourn
ing"
81 have observed It." Millar agreed.
with enthusiasm. ut Is splendid. But
why IS Karl SO sad amid all this ner-
rymaking" he added.
"Why are you sad, Karl?" Olga
asked. turning to him.
oil Iv - Xovl nrlnd
with forced gayety. II never felt hap
pier in all my life"
There was n touch of hysteria In his
voice that made Olga's heart 60 out to
| him.
II am glad you are having such .
good time" she said.
"Ycs. yes: feel like a schoolboy."
Karl cried wildly. like a young tiger
I'm mad with JOY. will get drunk to.
night l will drink. drink. drink. until
the angels In heaven sing to me. as
you said this afternoon" he added
turning to Millar.
NO, no, Karl" Olga pleaded. thor
oughly frightened. "Why. you never
drank. Why should you drink to
night"
because anu doing things tonight
never did before" Karl replied bitter
ly. Il have never been engaged before
Tonight shall lac engaged"
"Goo.l. lire. Kari" Millar exclaimed
"SAt l.; splendid girl"
"Splcn,iid gil. What do care what
sort OF Il girl she Is. It's not the girl;
it's marriage something new. l want
TO see what 1t is like"
For Il bridegroom you are not very
gay" Millar said tauntingly.
Gay. Why should be gay? nm
drinking the last bitter drops OF my
bachelor days. but I'll swallow them,
and then-purity."
bravo. Karl" Olga said.
''Oh. ] don't care what any one else
thinks about it," Karl sneered Mt her.
Il am doing this to please myself"
Olga was hurt and surprised ut his
tone. She had never seen him SO COM
plciely beside himself before. She
had Fever heard him speak so bitter
| ly, SO vindictivcly. AS she watched
him he looked Mt her. and spasm OF
pain contortcI his face. lie pointed
his finger ut her uccusingly and cried:
why are you wearing that cloak I'm
the house.
Mime. Iloifmann may be cold" Mil
lar suggested quietly.
"ics. yes: am cold" Olga said hur-
1 rInIlv Al r.., VIII thn clnol- hnr
more closely.
you are fortunate to have such a
beautiful cloak" Millar said, determin-
ed now to keep them at the main point
Of his game
| Suppose we do not Talk about the
cloak! Olga said You and Elsa
seemed to get on nicely tonight, Karl"
| YES" lie replied absently.
Really. 1t was charming to watch
such a devoted young COUPLE" Millar
said
Karl flashed II look Of hatred ut him
and turned again to Olga.
THAT cloak is lined with fur, isn't II p
Before She could reply Millar had
interposed In his silken, insinuating
voice:
"Yes-soft, smooth fur"
Il did not speak to you" Karl cried
Mt him savagely. "Well" he demand
ed Of Olga.
soft. smooth fur" Olga replied. 1T
is cold In here"
Nonsense! 1t Is hot. ! feel stiflIng."
Karl declared.
Il feel chilly" Olga insisted.
Perhaps madame Is not dressed
warmly enough" Mlllar inslnuated.
you should wear plenty Of clothes In
the winter time or you may run the
chance Of taking cold"
Olga caught her breath, and then she
answered:
Il love to take chances"
"iou do. eh?" Karl cried.
Yes. What is 1t to you" she asked
tauntingly.
| Karl threw his self control to the
winds. With flaming face and u voice
that shook with anger he cried:
| Aren't You two afraid Of me?"
olga WAS afraid. and she looked nj
him apprehcnSively. Mlllar smiled his
cynical. sinister smile and answered:
Afraid? I'm not afraid Of the hus-
band. Why should l he afraid Of q
mornlizlng. joyless brIdegroomY'
Mari took step toward him when
Herman entered the room. All three
were silent. and Herman looked at
them In surprise
| What Is this. II conspiracy" he
asked gayly.
"Oh. no: merely n conversation" Nil.
lar said.
well. Karl. how are you getting
along with Elsa?" Herman asked, tax.
Ing the boy by the arm and walking OF