The Spectator. (Ozark, Ark.) 1911-1916, 1914-10-16

have it over with to learn the truth
that to Nora Harrigan he would never
be more than an amiable comrade. He,
would then have none to turn to but
her What mattered it If her own
heart ached so she might soothe the
hurt in his? She laid a hand upon
his shoulder, so lightly that he was
only dimly conscious of the contact
IT'S rummy old world. Here I've
gone alone all these years :"
"Twenty-six!" smiling.
We'll. that's a long time. Never
bothered my head about woman.
Selfish, perhaps. Had a good time
came and went as l pleased. And
then met Nora
Yes"
IF only she'd been stand-offish, like
these other singers, why, I'd have been
all right today. But she's such a brick!
She's such a good fellow! She treats
US all alike; sings when we ask her
to, always ready for a romp. Think
of her making US all take the Kneip
cure the other night! And we marched
around the fountain singing Mary had
little lamb Barefooted in the grass!
When a man marries he doesn't want
a wife half so much as good com
rade; somebody to slap him on the
back in the morning to hearten him
up for the days work; and to cuddle
him up when he comes home tired,
or disappointed. or unsuccessful. No
matter what mood he's in. Is my
ieh
No; | understand all you say" Her
hand rested a trife heavier upon his
shoulder.
Nora would be that kind of wife.
Honor, anger, valor, fire. as Steven
son says. Hang the picture; what am
l going to do with it?"
Honor, anger, valor, fire." Celeste
repeated slowly. Yes, that is Nora.
A bitter little smile moved her lips as
she recalled the happenings of the last
two days. But no; he must find out
for himself; he must meet the hurt
from Nora, not from her. How long,
Abbott, have you known your friend
Mr.. Courtlandt?"
Boys together" playing light tat
too with his mahlstick.
How old is he?
About thirty-two or three
He is very rich?"
Oceans of money; throws it away,
but not fast enough to get rid OF It,.
He is what you say in English
wild?"
Well" with mock gravity, Il
CHI 1ly1It 70 hA yhn tItar hnt
crossed his path. Wild; that's the
word for it,"
You are laughing. All, l know! L
should say dissipated."
"Courtlandt? Come, now, Celeste;
does he look dissipated?"
Moo"
He drinks when he chooses, he
fiirts with a pretty woman when he
chooses, he smokes the finest tobacco
there is when he chooses; and he
gives them all up when he chooses.
He is like the seasons; he comes and
he goes, and nobody can change his
habits"
HE has had no AFFAIR.""
Why. Courtlandt hasn't any heart,
It's a mechanical device to keep his
blood in circulation: that's all am
the most intimate friend he has, and
yet know no more than you how he
lives and where he goes
But look" she cried in warning.
Abbott looked.
A woman was coming serenely down
the path from the wooded promontory,
Woman npdaOia in
cedar tinted linen dress, exquisitely
fashioned, with touch of vivid scar
let on her hat and a most tantalizing
fash of scarlet ankle. 1t was Flora
Desimone, fresh from her morning
bath and a substantial breakfast. The
errand that had brought her from AK
les-Bains was confessedly a merciful
one. But she possessed the drama.
lists instinct to prolong situation.
Thus. to make her act of mercy seem
infinitely larger than it was, she was
determined first to cast the Apple of
Discord into this charming corner Of
Eden The Apple of Discord. as every
man knows, is the only thing a woman
can throw with any accuracy.
The artist snatched up his brushes.
and ruined the painting forthwith, for
all time. The foreground was, In his
opinion, beyond redemption; so, with
savage humor. he rapidly limned In
a score of impossible trees, turned
midday into sunset, with riot of col
ors which would have made the Chi.
nese New Year in Canton a drab and
sober event in comparison. He hatec
Flora Desimone, as all Nora's adher
ents properly did, but with hatred
wholly reflective and adapted to Morals.
moods.