Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
CHAPTER XIV. The Devil and the Deep Sea

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were
LH1z%XISA Natalie had gone to the 56th-st.
AlN house, where she had intended to
SNyIEhDNBE1qA stop awhile and alone and undis-
T6AS WE6< turbed try to find some way out of
lWllME her troubles She had been surprised
3WK to see Rene when he came; but did
EWW4 not question him to how he had
N.Y. learned that she was there. But there
w he was, and she that
- she glad to see him. They had
AKA sent to restaurant for food, and now
~ sig5rssss: y Natslis ;:. e5ss j ;a g!eysd
though they were daringly artificial, and her eyes
sparingly. She had offered Rene explanation, and
he was clever enough to know from her mood that it
would have been futile to ask questions.
1t was Rene's tact that had won him way in the
service of the State Department from an obscure con-
sular clerkshp to his present appointment; short
in which his appreciation of the fobles of women
had taken conspicuous share. And so he wise
enough to be thankful for his good fortune without
questioning Providence too closely. When Natalie
more composed she would tell him what he wanted to
know and in the meantime it his mission to be
cheerful and patiently wait. He begued her with the
latest gossip from Washington told her few amusing
incidents in the recent of newly arrived Western
Senator, and made known his plans for the imme-
date future. To all of which she listened asking per-
functoTy questions, answering shortly, with nervous
mods and gestures But Rene was philosopher and
epicure.
But Rene was not disturbed. The handsomest wo-
in New York was his vis-dvis. What could
the soul of require? The gods good It meant
something that Natalie had sent him away. And so
he smiled at her and shifted at the rim of his glass of
Chateau Yquem.
TT not until the servant had withdrawn that he
sensed the moment of condolences
Tell me-" he murmured at last, what is it, Ma
taller"
She frowned at her coffee cup but smiled when she
replied. II think-Tm glad-you discovered me-"
rs that a?" he laughed.
Il think so. Don't you feel fattered that matter
how much dislike other people, am always content
to be with your"
"Content!' he scow1ed THAT'S poor food for
starving man nan Won't you tell me what has happened9
She refused reply to his question and turned the
topic with laugh.
''You don't really look hungry, Rene"
II am. You've starved me all summer. Do you ex-
pect me to be content like you? Content is poor
word it misses undesire only by the breadth of hair
To be content is to be provincial Content suggests
the honest husbandman his good wife, and rustic inertia
Content is negative term.
"And yet I'm quite positive about it," she insisted
with smile
He laughed at that and sank to the leather chair be-
side her is it because you know how irresistible your
indifference is that you elude so? What is the use
of assimilation? Can't you be honest? Don't you
think you've kept dangling long enough? Isn't
there spark of the old feeling the spark you had that
night this house, in this very room the night before
you married? You loved me them know it.
You would not kiss me, even,-you never have-but
read what wanted to read in your eyes. You needed
me then, and you need me now.
And still she would not reply.
Il hoped when learned you had come here that it
was because you wanted to me; that you did not
want to think of my going so far away without you;
that perhaps you had at last decided that the life you
were living was intoerabe; that perhaps you were
ready to leave all this and go abroad as once recon-
mended to you that you do.
Il had thought of going abroad she stammered
He put his arm around her and drew her close to
him. Did your he whispered. "And with me?"
No, alone!' There was nothing in the touch of her
hand to encourage him; for lay his fingers like an
inanimate thing Tim glad to learn your plans"
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