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

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"Letty,"-.He Lifted Her Hand &c His
Lips.
Nippant speech his statement would
have called forth from Lady Ormon!'s
humor did not pass her lips. She gave
his hand a gentle pressure.
Basil, you look horribly ill-whA
Ia the matter? You are changed"
Am II" He threw up his he; d
rather defiantly and impatiently, as IL
to shake off commiseration. I've
studied my face enough, God knows,
these days, but ind 1t the same"
where have you been-at Cra-
vsl?"
EYES. Shut up like q bear in his
cage"
and you sens out to bite. sup
pose?'
Hush" h said frowning. Don't
for Gods sake Be Aippant. l am not IN
any mood for 1t. I've had them all
the noods-hsavsn knows, but tbs ts
Q peculiarly grim one tonight II you
can, In any way. second 1t. l vii be
grateful"
She looked at him curiously but not
unaffectionately. I'll be as grim as
you like. Basil. What do you want
me to feel?"
Tempest had covered his eyes with
his hands, gesture growing now
second nature to him. He laughed
softly as she spoke. How perfect Of
you, Lefty! What do l want You to
feel! Why, do you then command
your sentiments at call? Can l have
them up at touch, have you so many
more for me than one?"
He uncovered his eyes and looked
at her smiling. His expression was
cynical and amused. 81 don't want
or not want you to feel in any partic-
ular way. l want to know how you do
feel and to act accordingly"
She started-with him. at all events.
| crisis was reached in their relations
| She said, to gain time and to collect
herself: you are quite your most
singular self to-night-Je ne suis pas
une femme tragique, and l think you
might return after a four weeks abb
sence in little more soothing mood!
| You are mysterious, and l am hewil-
dered at mysteries. What has gone
wrong? Are you dissatisfied with
some new creation, or have you lost
money!"
He shrugged impatiently. You
know how little the last would affect
me. am going away on a longer
Journey than four weeks, and L want
you to come with me-"
She withdrew her hand, which he
still held-not snatched it, but sbwly
and .iaeditatively withdrew it. Tenn
pest fcl, sensitivsly her complexidn Of
!, pRid-Ae had surprised, but MOI
Jhocked her. Leaning towards her
in a low toas he pleaded with her
storning her citadel. whose weakness
he knew Afterwards. she thought IL
reviewing the moment that he hat
pleaded as one for ;ife-as for raj
to be thrown to a drowning man. Wa
It possible he loved he; like this?
DO you realize what you are ask
ing me to do?" she said II . pause.
YES" he said shortly. live up
London and a husband whose life i
notorious. whose existence 10 . plasu
to you, reputation amongst thos
who have none themselves, a false SIT
uation for sincere one, for a III
with the man whom you say you love
OrmoRd will divorce you, and vii
marry you at once"
Lady Ormond had believed the oris
inal Tempest who had made her fol
get everything but himself could nc
return with the old charm and in
perious challenge. She had bee
wrong then in her belief, for he wa
talking her over again out of hersel
} and beyond her control.
why are you like this?" she mul
INJURED with some emotion. will 20
be like this always? If thought it,
could not hesitate"
, At her tone, certainly not the on
of brusQue denial he had anticipated
: Tempest experienced a curious mil
Cling of exultant victory and of siI
cere regret
, Tomorrow, Lefty" he said, an
, took her hand again. you must com
/ with me tomorrow"
, In her utter surprise Lady Ormon
was finding herself equal to Tempest
demands. She did not hesitate fs
r one moment to make concession h
. had never asked before. He was ric
} ~ ould be richer-famous, not yet
? the zenith of his celebrity. There wa
: IN sharing his life just one sacrifice
r and that she determined not to max
, II she could avoid it.
l "Basili"-she leaned towards hin
! lifted her head in way to reveal tn
: clear, pure lines of her neck and chi
) her face like a flower turned to tn
. sun--"Basil, am not cavilling, b,
J. you are so impetuous and impracti
r able. Let me get the divorce fro
4 Ormond. 1t 10 merely a form-one
) can have for the asking. You don
I Wtsh tn m crif1ce ma uoad1oas1v 4