The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-01-08


ough woman of the world intelligent
without ever having followed an idea
to its source or conclusion; sympa.
thetic, without ever having in her
life been touched; caressing, without
ever having known what love was in
the course of her thirty-odd years. The
nearest approach to reality had been
her sentiment for the man to whom
for several years she had given her
time and her society. with whom fash
ion had linked her name No nature
could come into relation with Basil
Tempest without broadening; were It
as narrow as hair. it must expand
or break, and Letitia Ormond's had
expanded to its Utmost limit-so far
that It created a gene with her at
times that actually hurt.
Tempest had gradually drunk of the
deepest waters she had to offer. and
she knew 1t. The fact that she had
no more refreshing draught to give
him at his imperious demand, that he
had reached the bed of the stream,
would have desolated a woman who
really loved. But Lady Ormoud wanted
to escape-not Tempest, exactly. but
the fact Of her deficiency. She knew
she could never be again to another
what she had been to him, and that II
h. could come to her as he had orig
inally. with the like enthusiasm, the
like forceful demand, she would be
hi nhor
Tempest could not come again. In
their gradual drifting apart she had
not suffered; she had prepared her in
terests, new claims were ready to as.
sert themselves, and she grew to &C.
cept his frequent absences without re-
proach.
Lady Ormond was "up for Sunday"
to entertain some Americans passing
through London, and, standing under
the careful adjustment of lights, sur
rounded by half dozen of the n. ost
sought men in London, she looked
with surprise to see Tempest making
his way through the crowded room to
her. His eyes were on her and he
half stumbled against a chair in his
way. Awkwardness was foreign to
him-he was intolerant of 1t in others
and he was now so cruelty self-con
scious that Lady Ormond flushed for
him. rejecting the dark-red of his face
when he came up and put out his
hand.
Every one has been asking for yoa
Why did you not come to Gossmere;
When did you arrive"
He had been given place by hel
with common consent The men after
greeting him gradually slipped away
all save the American guest, who
gazed at Basil Tempest wide-eyed. al
one might at star.
II have arrived In town within thii
hour" Tempest said.
"Mr. Tempest"-Lady Ormond turn
| ed to the American-"knows how t,
maintain his popularity-he goe
away before his public have hal
| enough Of him. and returns befor,
they arc tired of wondering where h.
Ia. For my part hate brusque de
partures. I want to be prepared
don't like sudden good-bys"
Sho hold out her hand to the Amer
lean and said rather imperiously
Twill you ask Lady Winifred Sales t
dance. Mr.. cambridge? She is alon
over there by the palms." thus cuttin
short Mr.. Bainbridge's heroworship.
"And"-Tempest took her up sev
eral phrases back-"sudden returns
you dislike them?'
She was femininely conscious tina
he had taken note of every detail Q
her sparkling beauty, and meeting hi
eyes agreeably said with grace:
your returns are never sudden.
am always bringing you back in m
mind. You see, Basil. you are Away
expected"
His face frightened excessively
That's the prettiest speech I eve
heard woman make. Come, com
with me out of ms crush, can't you
l have something especial to say, an
you know that I do not understan
the art of waiting"
She nodded and smiled, delighted I
perceive herself glad to see him an
that his sudden return without war;
ing did not find her cold.
He followed her across the bal
room to the opposite side, where
room decorated with lys and orchid
gave them a corner planned and st
apart for just such causeries intime
as Tempest determined 1t should g
cure.
Lady Ormond sat down in a cornt
of little divan, Tempest beside he
"Letty"-he lifted her hand to h
lips-"Letty, l exaggerate in m
books-they would not be worth wri
ing or reading II l did not. nevt
really transcribe real life, althous
they call me realist. You never hear
of a great photographer. did you
Do you think there will be one r
membered by men in hundred veal
from now? Not unless he has mad
his pictures as unlike life as possibl
Well, don't exaggerate in my life I
speech. am plain-you have eve
called me brutal. Now l am speakir
| {uln In he