The Washington times., 1913-06-22


question, for Cicely dared not
stay out later than $50 p. m Then
luminous idea came to Douglas
why on earth shouldn't you come to
my rooms?'' he asked. 81 can give you
some decent coffee and reao you 'he
first chapter of my novel
She hesitated. but barely for a mo-
sIt sounds delightful she admitted.
"Tp come Glad to. Isn't II lovely TO
be In this great city. and to know what
freedom is-to do what seems well ana
hear nothing of that everlasting other
people say?
He beckoned hanson, handed her IN.
and somehow forgot to release her
and the springs easy. They glided into
the sea of traffic with scarcely sense
Life" he said. lis full of new sensa-
tions,'' holding her fingers a little
tighter. ,,,,, !. sho rn,--
INJURED, gently, but firmly. withdrawing
them. I'm a years time all this VIII
seem crude to you"
.In a years time" he answered, look
ing down at her, suddenly thoughtful,
'I will remind you of that speech"
She sighed. but her gravity was only
for a moment She was chattering
again gaily by the time they reached
the street where Douglas rooms were.
He LED ke- up the stairs. ill-carpeted
and narrow. His room had never
seemed so small and shabby as when
at last they reached 1t and he threw
the coor open.
She walked at once to the window.
The houses of parliament, Westminster,
the Thames, were all visible A hundred
lights flashed upon the embankraents
and across the bridges, away opposite,
q revolving series OF Examinations pro-
claimed the SURPRISING quality OF a
well-known whisky. Westward. a glow
Of fire hung over the city from Leices-
ter square and the theaters. She gazed
at IL all, fascinated.
what wonderful view, Douglass
she exclaimed.
He rose up, hot from his struggles
with a refractory lamp. and came to
her side A sound of bubbling and a
pleasant smell of coffee proclaimed the
result of his labors.
Il have never yet tired of looking at
It," he answered. Il have no blind, as
you see, and at night ! have had my
writing-table here and the window open.
Listen
He threw up the sash. A deep, monot-
onous roar. almost like the incoming
tide Of the sea, fell upon their ears.
You hear IT," he said. That is life,
that rolling of wheels, the falling of a
thousand footsteps upon the pavement,
men and women going to their plea.s-
bearing them company. 1t is like the
sea. It is always there. 1t is the ever
beating pulse of humanity"
He closed the window and led her to
an easy chair.
"Cissy," he said. do you know, this
is what we always talked of-that
should write a story and read 1t first
to you? Do you remember"
Yes she answered, softly, Il re-
I'VE didn't anticipate this. He looked
around. Don't Judge me altogether by
my surroundings. To tell you the truth,
when / started i went too much to the
other extreme. i discovered / had made
self in debt am earning plenty of
money, but / have to econonize to get
clear. This novel is going to set me
going straight
He took some loose pages up in his
hand. She looked over his shoulder.
You haven't improved a bit in your
writing" she exclaimed. do let me
type II for you
You shall. with pleasure, he an
swered; & Il believe you're the only per-
She laughed and took her coffee from
him.
"Please light a cigarette she begged
Il loathe the taste, but the perfume is
He obeyed her. and she arranged the
lamp so that the light fell upon the
sheets which he had gathered up into
his hand.
Then she leaned back in her chair and
listened
''WeIl7'
She sat up and faced him, her face
flushed with excitement, her eyes flash
ing soft fires
There is nothing I can say beyond
this" she cried; ''it is the sort OF book
which ! always hoped and believed that
one day you would write
You like it?''
Like is no word. 1t is magnificent"
He laughed at her.
''If all nv critics were like you."
81 am only afraid Of one thing" she
said when il IS finished and pub
lished you will be a great man. You
will te so far off. think ] wish that
II were not quite SO clever. 1t makes
me feel lonely"
He came over and sat upon the arm
of her chair. She was very sweet, very
dainty, very pretty.
"Cissy," he said. ''you need never be
afraid of that. Whatever might happen
in the future, ! shall never enjoy an
evening more than this one. II rests
with you to say whether we may not
have any more"
with me?'
She looked I'D at him quickly. From
where he sat he could see her bosom
started suddenly away-Ciceiy sat up In
terror, grasping the sides of her chair.
There was a sharp knock at the closed
door.
"Is Mr.. lesson mr. Q soft voice ask
"a