The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-07-31


she seen them SO amiable toward each
other They were positively friendly.
And why not? The test Of the morn
ing had proved each Of them to his
own individual satisfaction, and had
done away with those stilted manner
isms that generally make rivals ridicu-
lous in all eyes save their own. The
revelation at luncheon had convinced
them Of the futility Of things IL gem
eral and of woman in particular. They
were, without being aware of the fact,
each consolation to the other. The
old adage that misery loves company
was never more nicely typified.
If Celeste expected Nora to exhibit
any signs of distress over the ap-
preaching departure, she was disap-
pointed, In truth, Nora was secretly
pleased to be rid of these two suitors,
much as she liked them. The Barone
had not yet proposed, and his sudden
determination to return to Rome elimi-
mated this disagreeable possibility.
She was glad Abbott was going be-
cause she had hurt him without inten-
ton, and the sight of him was, in spite
Of her innocence, constant reproach.
Presently she would have her work.
and there would be no time for loneli-
ness.
The person who suffered keenest
was Celeste. She was awake; the ten
der little dream was gone; and bravely
she accepted the fact. Never her agile
fingers stumbled, and she played re-
markedly well. from Beethoven,
Chopin. Grieg. Rubinstein, Mcdowell.
And Nora, perversely enough. sang
from old light opera.
When the two men departed, Celeste
went to her room and Nora out upon
the terrace. 1t was after five. No one
was about, so far as she could see.
She stood enchanted over the trans
formation that was affecting the noun
tains and the lakes. How she loved
the spot! How she would have liked
to spend the rest of her days here!
And how beautiful all the world was
today!
She gave frightened little scream.
A strong pair of arms had encircled
her She started to cry out again, but
the sound was muffied and blotted out
by the pressure of a mans lips upon
her own. She struggled violently. and
suddenly was freed.
"If ] we're man. she said. you
should die for that!"
1t was an opportunity not to be
ignored" returned Courtlandt. 'Tt is
true that was fool to run away as
I did, but my return has convinced me
that should have been as much fool
had remained to tag you about, beg
cling for an interview I wrote you
letters. You returned them unopened.
You have condemned me without a
hearing. So be it. You may consider
that kiss the farewell appearance so
dear to the operate heart" bitterly.
He addressed most of this to the
back of her head. for she was already
walking toward the villa into which
she disappeared with the proud air Of
some queen Of tragedy. She was q
capital actress.
A heavy hand fell upon Court
landt's shoulder. He was <irresistibly
drawn right about face.
Now, then, Mr.. Courtlandt," said
Harrigan, his eyes blue and cold as
ice, perhaps you will explain?"
With rage and despair in his heart,
Courtlandt flung of the hand and an
swered: Il refused"
"Ahi. Harrigan stood OF few steps
and ran his glance critically up and
down this man of whom he had
thought to make friend. You're a
husky lad. There's one way out OF
this for you"
$50 long as it does not necessitate
any explanations, indifferently.
'In the bottom of one of Nora's
trunks is set Of my old gloves There
will not be anyone up at the tennis
court this time of day. If you are not
a mean cuss, IL you are not an ordinary
low-down imitation OF man. you'll
meet me up there inside of five min
utes. If you can stand up in front of
me for ten minutes, you need not
make any explanations. On the other
hand. you'll hike out Of here as fast
as boats and trains can take you. And
never come back"
+ am nearly twenty years younger
than you, Mr.. HarYigan."
"Oh, don't let that worry you any"
with truculent laugh.
Very we'll. You will find ma there.
After all. you are her father"
"You bet ami"
Harrigan stole into his daughters
room and soundlessly bored ioto the
bottom of che trunk that contaiaed the
relics of past glory. AS he pulled them
forth, folded oblong strip OF parch-
ment came out with them and fiut-
tered to the floor: but he was too
busily engaged to notice it, nor would
he have bothered il he had. The bot
tom of the trunk was Uttered with old
letters and programs and operate
scores. He wrapped the gloves in a
" axuanorcp md GOT owav rrifhn,& ~