New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19

her 4, a matter OF course, a sort Of resident
incarnation Of truth: but he had been quite
willing that she should be a truth not quite
comprchcnded. She was comfortable girl
to confidc in, was Peggy. Yes, he was even
now thinking how he would write her all
about his latest affair How foolish the
word seemed now. But how could he The
ship took almost a week 70 cross; then an
other and another "Yc gods" he cried. 1T
will take nearly month to get an answer,
even if she replies at once.
Had he not been away 4 year at a time
often before and never thought anything OF
it, Why should he care now: Why this
sudden change, Wasn't he going over on
the same steamer with the girl whom he had
lust declared himself cray" about, 1t was
his own choosing only what fool he had
been. not to have seen the gold in front OF
his very eyes, and here he was chasing after
bit Of silver Bright, It's true, he cried;
but it seemed lcadcn fancy to the man in his
present state
OF his own volition he was leaving behind
the chum Of his life, the girl who had been
his staff and stay ever since his kmcker-
booker days.
~Oh. how blind I've been" he cried.
What a clod she must think me, and what
a conCcitcd ass she must believe mc--hear-
ing me rattle on like a harcbraincd idiot
about a girl that is merely playing with me.
And after his experience. that too hurt.
| He realized now, however, that 1t was merely
case of piquc. He had wanted what he
| thought he could not gct-mcrely because
he had thought he could not get it. And
now. if it were al suddenly his, what would
| he do with it.
When he compared his former feelings
with this new sensation with which his every
| fiber thrilled he was dumbtoundcd.
But what right had he to believe that the
| girl could look upon him with anything but
the old eye OF friendship How would She
take him in this new light, this novel role
| At the thought, he felt sick At heart, and
cursed this thing called friendship, which
ever goes hand in hand with perfect love.
| He felt almost as If he had been betrayed,
and he dropped his head into his hands.
He sat very still, and after awhile the mind
that had been wing half dormant, giving
| way to its enemy, Passion, came back, and
the man began to think cohcrcntly.
And as he thought, his vision cleared. and
he realized that if he might win his heart 5
desire. he must be worthy of her. And he
drew himself up-and Purpose. a new friend,
WAS gazing out OF MS eye, ana MS 'tlrct-E
| firm chin looked Squarcr.
When this determination took hold of
him, he felt as of old when on the football
field, that ii was win or die.
He now took down all the pictures of the
faircr sex with which his room was adorned,
and opening the bottom drawer of his bureau
threw them into it, all excepting Margaret
AlliStonS. This he placed where he could
see it the first thing upon waking. Then he
realized that he had taken off his coat, and
he put it on again, and coming back, bowed
before the picture.
Sleep was out of the question. He walked
up and down for a long while; then he
thought he would 60 to the library, where
everything was quiet, and where he had 50
lately babe his lady farewell. Perhaps 4
book, taken at random there, would tran
quilzc him.
X/HEN Westbury entered the library, he
w stopped moment and wondered why
he had not read more of the books with
which its spacious shelves were filled, in
stead of riding around playing polo and lead
ing cotillionS. What did his life all amount
to, anyway!
He was about to seat himself, when he
suddenly became conscious that there was
someone else in the room. y cold chill crept
up his spine at the presence OF the unknown;