The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-06

her spirits. Even the prospect of
spending the night in this place ap-
parently did not dismay her. They
descended TO the square again. stared
at all the way through open doors and
followed by subdued murnur of
comment Then they sat for IA long
time watching the stars.
AS if in despair over their impossible
predicament. Edith gave way to
spirit of reckless vivacity. and Kirk.
with Il mans somewhat exaggerated
sympathy for woman's sensitive feel
ings. Loyalty strove to help her make
the best of things in her own way.
There was no real concession of her
reserve-no sacrifice of the feminine
privilege of prompt and complete with
drawal. If he had struck false note
he knew that she would have turned
frigid in an instant
1t was OH their return to the house
that the climax came. leaving him
strangely shaken. Their course took
them past tiny cantina. Frightened
by drunken brawl within. she picked
up her skirts and fed into the dark
ness. Kirk stumbling along behind her
At last she stepped out OF breath. and
he overlook her.
You mustn't run through these dark
alleys" be cried sharply. You'll
break your neck Half impatient at
this hysterical beha vior. he seized her
by the arm.
''Oh. I'm SO frightened" she breath
ed, and he felt her tremble. She lifted
her white face. and her eyes were
luminous in the gloom.
Before he realized what he was do
ing his arms had closed around her
and his lips had met hers. 1t may
have been the romance of the night.
the solitude. the intoxicating warmth
of her breath. At any rate, he lost his
head and knew nothing save that she
was woman and he q man. As for
her, she offered no resistance. made no
sign beyond a startled sigh as their
lips came together.
But. impulsive as his action had
been, it was no more sudden than his
recoil. He released her and stepped
back. crying:
"Oh, my God. IL didn't mean that
Forgive me. Please" She said moth
| ing. and he stammered desperately
again: You'll hate me now. of course.
but don't know what ais me. l for
| got MISUNDERSTANDING 1t was
| objectionable, and ] ought to be shot.
He started off down the blind street
| his whole body cold with apprehension
and self disgust.
do you intend to leave me here in
the middle Of this
NO. no. OF course not I'm ratified
i that's all. I've just got a cowardly
desire to fee and butt my head against
| the nearest wall. That's what l ought
to do. | don't know what possessed
me. l don't know what you'll think of
me-"
1--WE won't speak Of it now. Try
to compose yourself and find our lodg-
ing place"
why. yes. of course. I'll see that
| you're fixed up comfortably. and then
I'll get out
"Oh. you mustn't leave mer' she
| cried in a panic. Il couldn't stay in
| little nearer to him. as if demanding
| his protection. A wave of tenderness
| swept over him. She was just a girl.
after all. he reflected.
II won't leave you. I'll stay near
you" he stammered.
| Il won't believe that you could have
| taken me for the kind of woman
| who
| No. no." he cried in an anguish of
self reproach. Il was fool
| NO" she said. Il DON'T couldn't
| bear to think that. Perhaps | was
| partly to blame. But l didn't think.
| | ought to have known that no man
can really be trusted. But | thought
our friendship was so beautiful. and
now you've spoiled it"
Don't say that" exclaimed Kirk.
Say you'll forgive me some time"
But instead of answering him direct
~ she proceeded in the same strain.
| probing his wounded self respect to the
| quick. making his offense seem blacker
| every moment.
| Although he assured her over rni
over that he had simply followed -"
| irresponsible. unaccountable impulse ~
| a moment-that he had regarded het
| only as the best of friends and re-
| spected her more than he could say
she showed him no mercy. The melan-
, choly. re-retful tone she adopted was
ten times worse than anger. and by
the time they reached the inn where
| they had dined he was sunk in the
depths of self amusement.
In reply to his knock an old woman
came to the door and sleepily admit