Western Kansas world., 1914-08-22
The Hollow
12 Of Her Hand
George Barr McCutCheon
QOGO HE1zD Ss COfL24H\

eAE-@-C(
l Will not turn against one or the 9th
er of you some time and crush you to
satisfy personal grievance? How dc
you know, Brandon, that am not in
love with you at this very"
Good heavens, Sara." he cried
agape.
- at this very moment % she con
tinued. 1T would not be so very
strange, would it? 1 am very human.
The power to love is not denied me.
oh. am merely philosophizing. Don't
look so serious. We will suppose that
l. continued along my career as the
woman scorned. You have seen how
smart under the lash Well?"
But all that is impossible" said
Booth, his face clearing. You're not
il love with me, and never can be.
That. for your philosophy"
At the same instant he became
aware of the singular gleam in her
eyes; liquid, oriental glow that
seemed to reflect light on her lower
lids as she sat there with her face in
the shadow. Once or twice before he
had been conscious of the mysterious,
seductive appeal. He stared back at
her, almost defensively, but her gaze
did not waver. 1t was he who first
looked away. curiously uncomfortable.
STILL" she said slowly, Il think you
would be wise to consider all possible
contingencies
I'll take chances, Sara" he said,
with an odd buoyancy in his voice that,
for the life of him, he could not ex-
plain, even to himself.
Even admitting that such should
49, L i r.
roll judicially, Il don't believe you'd
in jeopardy, Sara So we will dismiss
the thought. Don't forget, however,
that you hold them In the hollow of
your hand. My original contention was
based on the time-honored saying,
what may turn up. The best laid plans
of men and mice oft"
Sara settled back among the cush-
ions with a peremptory wave of her
hand. The loose, flowing sleeve fell
away. revealing her white, exquisitely
modelled arm almost to the shoulder.
For some strange, unaccountable rea-
son Booths eyes fell
'I am tired, wretchedly tired. 1t has
been most exhausting day." she said,
with sudden note of WEAKNESS in her
voice Both men started up apollo
getically. Il will think seriously of
your plan, Mr.. Carroll. There is no
hurry, I'm sure. Please send Miss
Wrandall in to me, will you? Perhaps
you would better tell Hetty to come
in as soon as Vivian leaves. Come
back tomorrow afternoon, Brandon. i
shall be much more cheerful BY the
way, have you noticed that Dicky, out
in the library, has been singing all aft
ernoon as il his little throat would
split? 1t is very curious, but today is
the first time he has uttered a note
in nearly five months. Just listen to
him. He is fairly riotous with song"
Booth leaned over and kissed the
hand she lifted to him. He is like the
rest of US, Sara, inordinately happy"
A slight shiver ran through her arm.
He felt it.
81 am so afraid his exuberance of
spirit may annoy Vivian" said she,
with a rare smile. HShe detests vul-
garity."
The men departed. She lay back in
the chaise-lounge, her eyes fixed on
the hand he had touched with his lips.
Watson tapped twice on the door.
Miss WrandaIl could not wait,
ma'am," he eHtd, opening the door soft
ly. She will cal. --syain tomorrow"
Thank your Watson. VIII you
hand me the cigarettes ?"
Watson hesitated- THE cigarettes,
ma'am?"
Yes"
But the doctors orders. ma am. beg
ging your pardon for
Il have a new doctor, Watson"
'I beg pardon, ma'aml"
THE celebrated Doctor Folly" she
said lightly.