The Parisian. (Paris, Tenn.) 1907-1962, 1914-08-28

who knows!- She wanted him 70
have IL over with, 20 learn the truth
that to Nora Harrigan he would never
be more than an amiable comrade. lie
would then have none to turn to but
her. What mattered 1t If her OWL
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 ali these years :"
"Twenty-six!" smiling.
We'll. that's a long time. Never
bothered my head about a woman.
Selfish. perhaps. Had a good time,
came and went as ! pleased. And
then met Nora"
Yes"
IF only she'd been stand-ofIish, like
these other singers, why, I'd have been
all right today. But she's such 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 a 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
English getting away from your"
No; | understand all you say" Her
hand rested trifle heavier upon his
shoulder.
Nora would be that kind of wife.
Honor, anger, valor fire., as Steven.
son says. Hang the picture; what am
| 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 Ssind 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
shouldn't like to be the tiger that
crossed his path. Wild; that's the
word for it,"
You are laughing All, 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 goes. and nobody can change his
habits"
He has had no AFFAIR.""
Why, Courtlandt hasn't any heart
It's 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 undeniably handsome in a
cedartinted 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-Balns 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 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
a 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 hated
Flora Desimone. as all Noras adher.
ents properly did, but with a hatred
wholly reflective and adapted to Nora's
moods.
CTo BE CoNTINUED.)