Evening star., 1909-07-17

Her eyes filled: she tried to speak. then
turned away her head. Gilbert stepped to
her side, leaned down and clasped the
lustrous jewels about her white neck. His
hand brushed the girls hair and a tremor
ran through her.
1T is cold for you here" said Gilbert.
seating himself on the other side of the
hearth. MY habits are those of a polar
bear"
Il am used to the cold" murmured
Stella. Il like it,
Il have ordered dinner at s." Gil
bert went on calmly. is not that too
long for you to wait? Wouldn't you like
to have bite now? 1t is not yet quite -
Z am not hungry. thank you." Stella
answered. She stared into the flames
with humid eyes. His thoughtfulness
touched her. but she found her mind go
ing back persstently to the flowers n
front of her photograph and the desire
to know If he had always kept them there.
The wish for this knowledge became inn
perative.
She turned to Gilbert: the warm, ruddy
light of the fire was reflected from her
face and neck and shoulders
Tell me- she said. have you always
kept flowers in front of my picture?''
Gilbert looked embarrassed. Stella,
watching him closely, recognized the con-
scious, chubby faced boy of the college
pictures.
Yes he answered 4 suppose you
will think me a sentimental chump, but
I've got TO think of that picture as a real
person" He star.d into the flames.
Poor IDEAL said Stella. softly. Poor.
dethroned lady of dream
NO" said Gilbert, ''she Is not de-
throned She still has my allegiance
and my faith in her..
How strange" murmured Stella She
leaned forward, her chin resting on one
closed hand, staring into the fire. The
crimson light glowed on her bare arms
and cleaned in the depths OF her half
closed eyes. Gilbert watched her closely.
1t was precisely thus that he had SO often
pictured her-sittng in front of his fro
and staring into the flames.
Il see nothing strange, he said, in my
having become attached to your picture.
There has been very little romance in
my life. There was no time for 1t; it
has been all cold. hard, grinding work.
Every man has some softening influence,
and that--was mine.
How odd" murmured Stella.
What is odd?'
That you should have been In love with
that photograph of me. when all the time
l was so fiercely determined TO hate your
Gilbert stared al her in astonishment.
You amaze me- he cried do you
mean TO say that ii was as bad as that?
You poor little girl
1t was my own fault"
1T nothing of the sort. They
should have brought US together. l should
have gone to see you-but / did not be-
cause i wanted first to succeed; to have
something to offer you besides what other
people had given me-"
He took several short, impatient steps.
What fool I have BEEN he cried, re-
morsefully. And to think of my SNUG
criticism of you yesterday. What fool
you must think me-and JUSTLY.
Stella rose to her feet and turned 10
him with radiant smile. But thought
nothing of the kind.'' she cried You
made me feel ashamed of myself"
Gilbert stepped quickly to her side.
Stella" he said, and thrill passed
through the girl as for the first time she
heard her name upon her husbands lips.
Il have done my best to make an awful
mess of our happiness l have behaved
like a pig-headed school boy. Will you
forgive me. dear?" He took her hand
in his. Perhaps it is better that l should
go away-and do penance, and come back
in time and try to win your heart just IS
though this ceremony had never taken
place. But before l go l mean to rell
you,'' his voice sank lower, that 1 have
always loved you-but / have never loved
you as | love you now.''
Stella looked up into his face
fGilbert-' she whispered-''my hus-
band, Oh do you really love me?'
The answer was told her in the clasp
of her husbands strong arms.
Copyright, I90sl