New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-09

The butler showed Markham into the
drawing room and took his card. He did not
know whether Miss Challoncr was in or not;
but he would see.
When she appeared in the doorway few
moments later he wondered if he knew her at
all. She was dressed for afternoon in some
cinging dark stuff which made her figure
slim almost % the point Of thinncsS. She
wore q small hat with a small plume and
seemed % have gained in stature. Her face
was palcr and her modulatcd voice and the
studied gesture rs she offered him her hand
did more % convince him that things were
not as they should be.
$50 good Of YOU TO come, Mr.. Markham,
he heard her saying coolly. 81 was wondering
il III have the pleasure Of seeing YOU here.
He stood uncertainty at the point Of Sclz-
ing her in his arms when he was made aware
of her reconciliation. The formality Of her
politcncss was ike a blow between the eyes,
and he pccrci blindly into her face in vain
for some sign Of the girl he knew
won't YOU sit down. she asked, and
dumblv he sat. 81 hear YOU were in Nor
mandy" She went on smoothly. Did YOU
havca good summer, You did lcaycuS rather
abruptly at Wcstport, didn't YOU; But then
YOU know Of course | understood that
HERNIA" he broke in in low voice,
IL what has happened TO you; Why
didn't YOU answcrmvlcttcrs, I've been near
~ mad with anxiety" He leaned forward
toward her. the words falling in a torrent.
But she only examined him curiously,
puzzled wrinkle at her browS wing with the
set smile she still wore. "Your letters, Mr..
Markham." she said in surprise. "Oh, YOU
mean the note about the sketch Of Thimble
island | did reply, didn't T. 1t was aw-
fully nice"
Great Heavens" he exclaimed rising.
"Havcnt YOU punished me enough now,
without this, with a wave OF his hand, this
extravaganza? Haven't | paid' | searched
Paris high and low for YOU, Hernia, haunted
your bankers and the hotel where you had
been stopping, returning here only at the
moment when my engagements in New York
made it necessary. Has it been kind OF you,
or lust, TO ignore my letters and leave me al
these weeks in anxiety and ignorance, I've
missed YOU horribly, and feared namcleSS
things, that YOU had forgotten me, that
YOU wanted everything forgotten"
As he came forward she rose and took a
step toward an inner room, her eyes still mar
rowcd and quizzical, watching him carefully.
"Hcrmia-Hermia." He stopped, the ten
sion breaking in a laugh. ooh, you want to
punish me, of course. Don't YOU think
you've paid me well already? See! I'm
pcnitcnt. What do you want? Shall | 60
down on my knees to you? have been on
my knees to YOU for wcekS-you must have
known it. My letters"
He paused and then stopped, puzzled for
she had not moved, and her gaze surveyed
him, coolly critical
You got my lcttcrs?' he asked anXiouSly.
She was silent.
"l'vc written you every day since YOU lett
me-pourcd my heart out to you. You
didn't get thcm2 Oh Hernia, you must
have known what life has been without YOU!
DO YOU think could forget what | read in
your eyes that day in the forest? Could YOU
forget what YOU wrote there; Only your
lips refused me. Even when they refused
me, they were warm with my kisses. They
were mine, rs YOU were, body and soul. y on
loved me, EIcrmia-from the first. These
nimsy barriers you're raising, III break them
down and take you-"
As he approached, she reached the cur
tainS, one hand appraised.
"You'rc dreaming, Mr. Markham" she
said distinctly. 81 haven't the least idea
what your talking about
"You love me" he Stammered.
"I?"