Evening star., 1909-04-16
3y BRAN STOKER

comment she would have said In her
genial cynicism:
"A woman-or a man either-can only
fall in love once in a lifetime with the
same person.
Athlyne telephoned his chauffeur. to
whom he had already sent wire to be
prepared. and in a time to be computed
by minutes met him outside Ambleside.
There he took the wheel himself telling
the man to meet him little before
o'clock. He felt that he must be alone.
He went slowly so long as he was near
town. but when he found himself on a
long way ahead, the index went round to
speed" and as the car swept over the
ground its rush kept pace with his own
thoughts.
He went about hundred miles before
he regained anything like calm. Trying
thoughts. he never could arrive at any
sort Of conclusion regarding them.
The only thing definite in his mind was
that he wanted. to see Joy again. and
out after tea time. which meant. he
knew, something after 5 o'clock. and not
for q world OF chrysolite would he miss
being there. Outside Ambleside he met
the chaffeur. whom he sent back to Bow
ness: he did not want his car to be too
much en- evidence at Ambleside at pres
ent. He had a wash and q cup of tea at
another hotel. and at 5 strolled back to
his nook in the garden.
By this time Joy had made up her mind
that he might come back that evening.
though-with still her protective instinct,
partly for herself but more for him-she
had quite made UP her mind that even
II he should not come she would not be
disappointed. He was not TO be blamed
In any way, now or hereafter How
could he be-? It would not be fair. A few
minutes before she took her place at
the window. but sitting SO far back this
time that she could not be seen from
without. She herself could see out but
only by raising her head high. This she
did now and again. but very cautiously.
She felt a sort OF dihhdence. certain
measure OF shamefacedness lest he should
see her again and suspect anything. we
are very sensitive as to the discovery OF
truth by others when we are ourselves
trying to deceive ourselves. The few min
utes passed slowly. very slowly. Then
when once more she looked out great
thrill OF Joy shook her. He had come
II doubt there had been. it could no
flushed, she trembIed with sort OF
ecstasy: the waves OF high passion swept
her. She was half inclined to stand
boldly in the window and let him see her;
out to him and fall into his arms. There
Is no boldness that love viii not commit
when 1t is true! She felt this. though not
consciously. There was no need for con-
sciOuSnesS, for thought TOT argument. SHe
knew!
1t was. perhaps. just as we'll that her
father came into the room. He brought a
sense Of sanity with him: she felt that
consciously enough. Her mere faint sigh
Of reKret was su6icient proof.
Joy did not walk down the staircase:
she foated. as though matter had ceased
to exist and the soul was free She stood
for a minute on the step looking out at
the view: but presently kept changing her
pose SO that her face might be seen with
both profiles, as we'll as the full face. II
he had come there to see her he should
not be disappointed-if she could help It,
That drive was a dream. an ecstasy. At
first there was a miserable sense that each
turn of the wheels took them farther
apart; but shortly this was lost In the
Overwhelming sense OF gladness. She
could have OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Sc
wanted some physical expression of her
feeling Then the excitement settled down
to a quiet tingling happiness. a sense OF
peace which was ineffable and complete.
= il that all OF animated nature
Be but organic harps diversey frsmed
That trembc into thought DER them sweeps
Plastic and vast ono intellectual breeze
A; once tho soul OF each and God Of all.
So sung cen -ury before. a poet OF that
sweet cult of the school centered in the
very area in which she moved; and IL his