Evening star., 1913-11-02
BY GEORGE GIBBS

l
tear myself away in moment; but not until
"Don't be foolish, Olga, he whispered. You know
that can't mean YOU
q don't know she murmured wistfuly in a low,
even voice. her gaze the andirons. you've surely
surely given believe that you cared for
my society. | wrote you twice from New York, once
from Paris and from rouvile and you've deigned
me only reply. Such reply-with comments upon
the weather upon which was fully informed) and
hope that might meet in October in New York!
Sweet of you John when | came to Europe expressly
to you!'
AfE?. He rose walked the lesSgth of the room and
~ glanced anxiousy out of the window "Impossi-
ble' he said; then turned and stood by the mantel
his back toward the door, his voice tensely subdued
3See here, Olga don't YOU think IFS about time that
you stopped making fun of me, that you and under
stood each other? For reason after few years
of acquaintance, you've suddenly discovered that |
amuse YOU Why, l don't know. I'm not your sort.
not the of YOU find worth your while in the
long run, and YOU know it. And don't propose to be
caught in your sken mesh my DEAR to be left dry in
the when you find other specimen more to your
liking
Olga laughed silently, her head away from him, and
Markham after quick glance his shoulder went
whispering a-s
a gave you my friendship freely, unreservedy; but
you weren't satisfied with that. Hardly You wanted
me to be in love with you. There's no doubt of it.
He laughed. "Oh, anyone else would have done
WE'LL but happened along at favorable tirne-on the
back swing of the pendulum 1t hurt your pride, |
think that of my Arcadian simplicity should fail to
droop where others, sophisticated, had fallen
swiftly. Perhaps too might have fallen if you hadn't
warned me that you had heart. You did that
kindness"
He stopped, listening Ogas too alert for
a sound,-a tiny sound of no volume than that
which might have been made by that had come
from overhead.
"But you grew weary of that he went quickly.
"You wanted something to happen. Your reputation
was at stake 1t time for psychological crisis of
ortsand YOU arranged tin garden"
Olga had stopped smiling now and her brows
narrowing painfully "You have right to speak to
SO, she murmured.
dts true, he finished. "You didn't play fair, and
you know it."
She bent forward her elbows on her knees her gaze
on the ashes. "You hurt me-Jofn' she whispered,
scarcely audible. "You hurt me terribly
His eyes searched her keenly. Her head dropped to
her fingers which she pressed her temples nervousy
If he had not known her WE'LL he would have almost
been ready to believe her contriton genuine But in
moment she Strengthened.
@You advise me not to hope, then?' she murmured
with laugh.
Doubt fed. She mockng him. Her very pres
ence Knocked him. The rafters his discontinue;
though the attic heard not Was Hernia gone? He
fdgeted to his feet, listening. Olga intoerabe.
ooh, what's the use?' he muttered. "Ihe humor's
out of the thing
A CHANGE, subtle and underlined, came over his
visitors expression. She rose imperturbedly, and
walked about lingering things, reaching at last the book
next to the corridor, and slowly abstracted vol
ume, turning its leaves idly and facing the door spoke
with perilous distinctness.
at is charming here, ami she said gaily. "If
l had sent for you, things could not have been
agreeably arranged 1t is SO long since we've met And
I've missed you dreadfully. 1t mustn't happen again,
cher She lowered the book and leaned against
the doorjamb dreamily. "You shall remain here en-