New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
SUNDAY MAGAZINE

only square thing was 10 come 10 you'
"You were vcry-couragcous.
There was a matter for reflection III ner
choice of adjective; but Buckley, VINO
feared the worst, accepted it at ITS facc
value with gratitude that manifested itScn
in startling phenomena. His pink face be-
came crimson, his eyes moist, his nether mp
tremulous.
aNIiss Milburn-Ann,' he stammercd,
"sincc you've said that, | want you to know
that couldn't have spoken as ara II l ilau
thought there was a chance that
Ann saw the goal toward which ne was was
now unmistakably bound and took SWiiC
measures TO save his pride. you are
friend worth having, she whipped in, giving
him her hand. 81 want to keep you as Il
friend as long as ! can. -.
Buckley stopped, stared, gulped MS
avowal, and then returned her clasp con
vulsvcly. "Count on mel he said. count
on me every time"
CHE thought he presented rather path,et-
- ;c 6q,rc rs ne left her at the door OF her
hotel. and she did him the honor OF "A whiln-
sical wish that ne might yet encounter
nar,qon among women who deemed aVoir-
dunois not a blcmish, but a charm. Altcr
that Door Bucklcy's lacerated feelings did
not long dctain her. He was overshadoWed
nv his message. For the moment ne EN-,
bodied the word-the world when nad
served notice that her position was untenaDie'
For q week thereafter her first thought
at waking and her last at night was OF tilc
noet She no longer regretted the warmth OF
her letter 10 Oliver. She would have had II
warmer still She calculated the day 1t
would reach Verona, the hour he would re-
ccivc if. the time he would need 10 despatch
his reply. TO the writing Of that reply She
assiqned the brcfcst of intervals. She iIg-
urcd him dashing il of in a fever Of lmpa-
ticnce to let her know that she remained the
Iodcstar of his existence. She was sure ne
loved her. What else had signihed that
tragic face seen across the abyss! AS for
hcrsclf-wcll when his letter came she
would be better able to define her feeling.
As the week slipped by she had to alter
her picture Of the impctuous letter writer.
He had evidently paused to weigh his words.
He found il hard to cffacc the Wrctched mem
orv of the acrodromc. Ignorant OF the
motives that undcrlay her appeal TO him
there. ne could not comprehend the violence
of her reaction. II must seem to him an
act Of needless caprice, childish, irrational.
He would require time to recall her IN gen
tier moods. to remember her rs she really
was. woman lovablc and not incapable OF
loving. He would read and rercad her let
ter. Sleep on it perhaps, before he sat
down to reply. That a response 50 deIiber-
atcd might lack the assurance she sought,
She would not consider. 1t was first OF all
an answer she must have.
EIGHT days after Pages departure a letter
Il marked Verona, but addressed to ustin
Blair. reached the family living room sinful
tancouslv with Rodoslav's morning tribute.
Iustin slit the cnvclop with the gratifying
knowledge that his nicce's eyes neglected the
flowers. and when he had read the missive
himself he CONSIDERABLY brcted Its contents
for whom they might concern.
"Olivcr writes that he had comfortable
trip. he announced. "Evcrything is ship
shape at the plant, and he leaves for Russia
tonight-no. last night. He says he is glad
to be busy again after his loafing spell here
AIMS heart sank. If work was a relief,
Pau must indeed be a weary memory! "Does
he mention hearing from me-"
40" said Justin, wishing he could say
yes. The rest Is pure business in reply to
note Of mine.
"Of yours! Did you too mail him letter
the night he LETT"
40. Mine did not 60 till day or 50 after.