Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-23
THE KISS.
BY E. N@sbit.

lery among the Egyptian and Assyrian
ANTIQUITIES at the British Museum. En-
thusiast though he was, he was urea
with the cold reserve of carved stone.
Then suddenly his eyes rested on ner.
fair and laughing and full Of the JOY OF
life, and his soul rejoiced because there
was still youth in the world.
She came along the gallery between
two other girls Their eyes met anu
STAYED together in look that lasted
very long time-almest half minute.
She came up quite close to him, Win
those others that did not count, and tneii
abruptly the three turned to the right
and the swing doors of the refresnmeht
room vibrated behind them.
Then he tried to analyze that look OF
hers-not bold or provocative. yet with
no timidity no bashfulness, no se1-coh-
seriousness. 1t was the look OF one Wno
trusts the world and thinks Wen OF IT.
Many girls nowadays have that frank,
fearless look The qualities which mace
the look a thing worth analyzing were
two; it's length and a singular quahly U,
recognition. Did she know him? 2Had
he ever met her before! NO, ne couio
not have forgotten her
His home was in Kent. and ne was go
ing to say goodbye to 1t for whlie. TOT
next week he started for the east.
The last days were full: HIS 1a sInnhs
for which Neville gathered the mate
rails had many last words to say: Also
his typewriting girl had gone on Ill, ana 40
there was a delay in getting another 30
Neville spent a good many hours III 'ne
work secretaries are paid lot
Then another spring came, and with IT'S
coming came Neville Underwood from
the dry east. He sent his luggage up
from the station in the dogcart that came
to meet him.. and he hlHseH "aiheu up
through the woods. r..r
Dear God, but it's good to see green
woods again." he said.
And It was here, among the woods that
he met her the second time.
II was a note of deep blue that caught
his eye.
He saw it through a tangle or WOOD
bine and wild rose trails. He Went ABOUT
and. Sinking the thicket, came to a ht.
tie clearing. And here was the olue. II
lay on the ground. her head on cusn-
ion of green leaves, one hand clencheo on
her breast and the other by her side' ner
body thrown there, with all the abandon
could hardly believe that she slept He
stood and gazed at her. Not a move
ment.
was she asleep? Could she nave
tainted? He came nearer-stooped We,
side her. His hand hesitated. Gould
one-dare one-lay ones hand under the
heart of a strange lady, no matter what
mad fear suddenly caught one! But as
he, kneeling, stopped more nearly 10 rs
ten for her breathing her eyes openeu'
1t was impossible. There he stood IN
the wood, and there she lay, eyes closed.
motionless as ever. Could one nave these
momentary dreams? For It had certain,
ly seemed to him that she had opened
her eyes and smiled. and then-that she
had put up an arm, soft and hrm, had
caught him round the neck. drawn MS
face down to hers till he had Kissed ner
on the lips Incredible imp o;s .ho Ah his
kiss had only been given as re)olnder,
an unavoidable rejoinder.
So he stood looking at her, and now ne
saw that, whether he had dreamed TINS
or not. site was not dead, nor 1a'nIins,
Of her face was flushed with rose color
He stepped back through the quiet
green and walked horne. The warm touch
of her mouth was on his all the way.
But it vanished when the aunts soIt,
faded cheek lay against his lips. 1t was
good to be at home, where one was so
loved, so desired.
Tea was served under the copper beech
"Are you expecting any one?'' Neville
asked. for the cups were four
said the aunt. 'Ah, here she comes"
And Of course it was the girl from the
museum who came across the lawn IN
her blue dress.
Neville heard his name and another
name and found himself bowling to the
girl whose lips BIT he heard nothing
distinctly because of the horrible new
certainty that sprang at him. 1t was true.
This girl, whose eyes had haunted him
among the Egyptian tombs more than
once-this demure girl had really, of her
own free WILL drawn down. 1.-THE head of
perfect stranger with that arm now
reached out for her teacup, had drawn 1t
down till the strangers lips lay on hers.
ut was beautiful in the woods she was
saying.
She was sitting there-talking to his
aunt and his father-quietly. as If moth
ing had happened. But she had not been
able to help blushing. 1t was that deep.
slow-fading blush that had enlightened
him-had shown him that 1t was no vi
sion, that she also remembered.
"Oh, bother" said Neville to himself,
now all the peace and pleasure Is gone
1t won't be like home with a wicked lit
tie cat like that about the place"
She was pretty. he decided, and In an
open-eyed. candid-looking way that did
not rhyme with the disgraceful conduct
of that girl in the wood
She went away presently with the IA
Their. Then Neville heard how she was
Psychologist, dead these three years, how
she was very clever at her work, very
good company. and altogether a dear
child. But you mustn't fall in love with
her, Neville" the aunt. said, because
she's got sweetheart already
''She would have, he told himself, "a
sweetheart-half dozen most likely
How. I know is that Mr.. Maulevere
asked her to share his heart and vicar
age-yes-before she'd been here a month.
But no. Then l got it out of her that
there's some one. else.
Il congratulate her." said Neville, lazi-
ly, land no doubt it's lucky for me that
I'm not given to that sort of thing
1t was that sort of thing'-an I'M
worldly romance-that had in his teens
caused Nevills relations to send him
for change of scene to southern chimes
He came back cured. despising love and
wearing round his neck a charm that a
gypsy woman from the desert had given
him. Wear it always" she had said.
1T will keep you from unworthy loves"
And it-or something else-had kept him.
1T has further power" the woman
had added. but that you will learn when
the time comes"
He was not superstitious man, but he
wore the amulet.
II hope" said the aunt. anxiously when
the father had gone to his study and Phi
lomela to her bed, II do hope you're
not going to dislike that girl. You hard
ly spoke to her all the evening.
Didn't I?' he said. 'I'll do better to-
morrow
So next morning when he saw her