New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

determined to base the memory OF past hap
pncSS through a long life was not to be al
lowed her! She faced the hard featured man,
50 eager to tear from her this tiny JOY, as
mother faces the enemy of her child. She
hated a lie as she hated everything morally
unclcan; but, without change in the in
Election of her voice or expression OF her eyes,
she leaned over, gathered the folds OF her
train in her daintlly gloved hand, and, bow
ing primly said:
IL am very sorry, Gentlemen, | do not
know where your Signor ACritclh is. Her
pardon me" as she passed through the lane
they formed was significant OF the fact that
they had taken great deal for granted and
that in holding her at bay in this manner
they were forgetting the courtesy due hcrseX.
"Shall we follow herr" asked one.
The manager shook his head. "She amt
Acritclli's sort. George here's had pipe
dream. She's too much the schoolma am
type for our friend. No. vel 60 back to the
Office and see if any OF the messengers have
trailed him: if not, we'll send some more.
MEANTIME, AIademoisclle was hasten
1Ni ing 70 the rendezvous. The color still
burned angrily in her checks, and after She
had run up the steps Of the elevated She had
TO stop TO catch her breath Her heart beat
furouslv. How dared they? She bought
her ticket, and, passing through the gate,
walked restleSSly up and down the platform
while she waited for the incoming train. Soon
the anger disappeared. Her color faded.
Conscience, commonscnSe, the judgment Of
the solitary woman who must meet and an
swerqucstions relating toherdestiny without
impulse, without prejudice, resumed their
sway. She viSuaizcd ACritch's diSappolnt-
rncnt when he learned Of his los, opportuni-
~. She had said TO herself in the first few
mad moments that the next day was nothing
% her. that al she wanted was this last
sweet evening with him, tha, aftcrward She
would bear the sorrow, the loneliness, even
The shame, Of having betrayed q friend.
She knew better now. With her tender
sensibilities, she would be unable 20 enjoy
one moment OF the ttte, one moment OF a
tortured tomorrow. The lie she had just
-Dotcn burned ike acid into her thoughts.
How could she ever have dreamed Of dong
him such a wrong,
She stumbled from the train and few
down The stairs. She zigzaggcd through The
crowded streets in imminent danger II augl-
r.r.-. A. The appointed corner she saw
him. ..r. handsome, with q Irgn. color IN
81. checks, the ends OF his black mus,achc
.ieh,,y -urleI and The amber .in,s in the
wonderful eyes.
Size c,aspcd his arm with both hands and
-gls .hokcd her voice at the relief Of Pcnt
-r emotions She did no, look IN his face.
r S voice has broken completely. They've
sent for you from the opera house. You
must 90 at once, at once, The house IS sold
out, and they're crazy. It's your opportu-.'
She looked up, TO see some flying coattalls
and the waving fist Of an iratc conductor,
who dragged Acritclli on the moving plat
form Of the croSstOwn car.
ALL through the long evening She sat
"A curled in a corner Of the easy chair
the only one her room contained. She had
carefully removed her gala attire, as if she
had been returning from real ftte and
DELAYED arrangements for the night, 50 that
she might enjoy the pleasure Of reminiscent
moments.
Once Acritelli had brought her tickets ior
- ~-oto-,-, .b,;-- Af-ar "a second Of de-