The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-08-12

| eAciAouoiy udppy.
During the afternoon OF the first day
out she ensconced herself in a decl
chair and gave herself over to the idle
dreaming which invariably mingled It
self with the soft swell of the waves
and the steady throbbing Of the huge
engines
She must have dozed into at least
semfconsciousness for she realized
with a sense Of expectancy. that the
chair next her own had been claimed
Its occupant was Britisher. or that
she was certain; the shaggy brown
tweed of his coat told her that From
the manner In which his legs projected
beyond the steamer chair she judged
him to be all of six feet In height.
Muriel began to speculate as to what
ne looked like. She dare not turn and
stare at him. but her eyes travelled up
as far as they might without apparent
curiosity.
Her rug had been slowly slipping
from about her feet.
| You will have cold feet In another
moment" He was out of his chair and
wrapping her up before she knew It.
Let me tuck you up"
Thank you." Muriel said, but you
were SO comfortable before"
Never mind that-I'n manage to
get comfortable again" He drew out
his tobacco pouch. II hope you don't
mind my smoke-Ttswill blow in your
direction
Smoke is one of the most lovable
things about men-I ehink."
The man paused In the act of light
ing bis pipe. He turned startled eyes
on Muriel.
"A man who doesn't smoke" she in
sisted hurriedly. lis like a woman
who doesn't fiirt"
"Oh-h!" Allen Tweedie's eyelids
drew together as he used the peculiar.
scooping syllable which Muriel grew
to love. "Then-you are a fiirt, are
your"
81 most certainly am" Muriel
smiled wickedly. Il simply love to
dirt sometimes think would flirt
with Hon tanner should / happen to
meet one"
"And-what about a tanner of wom-
en-"
Il have not had the pleasure Of
meeting one"
Tweedie's brows went up slightly
then closed again over the heightened
brilliancy Of his eyes. Then he said
slowly. IF were not practically tied
down to single blessedness for the.
next few years | would take great
pleasure In giving you that expert
ence"
Muriel laughed mockfngly, her eyes
bantering and irresponsible. I'm so
ssrry," she said through her ringing
laughter. that you are SO comfortably
supplied with a reason"
Allan Tweedie's lips frightened and
his eyes narrowed themselves into
green points of light. He changed.
You are amusing. at least" he said.
lightly.
Muriel turned her eyes full upon
him. For a second Allan Tweedio
glimpsed the thin film of tragedy be-
meath the surface OF the girls mock
ing spirit. She spoke with an impetu-
Gus haste, entirely forgetting that the
man to whom she spoke was an abso-
lutte stranger. Your cruelty was rath.
er uncalled for I think-since we ara
merely ship-board companions where
all"
I'm SORRY" he put in quickly but
she interrupted him swiftly.
1T doesn't in the least NATTER
never let these little stabs hurt me-
perhaps deserve them. But listen"
she unveiled her inner thoughts with
rapid words: Light as I NAV seem
to you'll would give anything In this
world II some man could make me
love him. don't mean the common
attraction which draws a man and
woman together-I've had a surfeit
of that"
And It has never zsted?"
mot once" Muriel paused a long
moment and then turned to him. II
have been on the verge Of marriage
three times. and-it seemed like an In
PREVENTION of Fate that should have
sung at some concert Just before tax
ing the step. In each case. the an
plause and the honor of frfendships
given me SO dwarfed the love that
was about to accept as life that could
have none Of It Man-to me has
never risen to the height Of an individ-
ual-he is only part of the universal
man"
Evidently you have not met the
man who could let you have both ana
still stand out a. part Of your hap
piness." ~ -
There are 50 few men who really
take pleasure IN sharing the object Of
their love with the world. And how
miserable would be In loving a man
who failed to appreciate the infinite
happiness which my music affords me
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