The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-05

arc Of heaven seemed hung with fire.
opals; east. west, north and south
whichever way she looked, there was
dazzling iridescence. What a won.
derful world! What q versatile mis-.
tress was nature! Never two days
alike, never two human beings; ant
mate and inanimate, all things were
singular She paused at the rail and
watched the thread Of frothing water
that clutched futilely at the red water
line. Never two living things alike. in
all the millions and millions swarmina
the globe. What marvel! Even
though this man Warrington and Ar.
thur looked alike, they were not SO
in heart and mind they were as diff
ferent as two days.
She began her usual walk, and in
passing the smokeroom door on the
port side she met Warrington com
ing out. How deep-set his eyes were!
He was about to go on, but she looked
straight into his eyes, and he stopped
She laughed and held out her hand.
i really believe you we're going TO
snub me-"
Then you haven't given me up?"
Never mind what | have or have
not done. Walk with me. l am going
to talk plainly to you. II what say
is distasteful, don't hesitate to inter-
rupt me. You interest me, partly be-
cause you act like boy partly be-
cause you are man."
Il haven't any manners"
They need shaking up and read
justing. have just been musing over
a remarkable thing. that no two OBJ
jects are alike. Even the most ac-
curate machinery cannot produce two
nails without variation. So it is with
humans. You look so like the man I
know back home that it is impossible
not to ponder over you" She smiled
into his face. why should nature
produce two persons who are mis-
taken for each other. and yet give
them two souls, two intellects. totally
different? Is nature experimenting.
or is she slyly playing trick on HUI
manity?"
Let us call it trick; by all means,
let us call it that"
Your tone ;"
Eyes. yes" impatiently; you are
going to say that it sounds bitter. But
why should another man have a face
like mine, when We have nothing in
common? What right has he to look
like me?"
1T is puzzle" Elsa admitted
This man who looks like mel
have no doubt 1t affects you oddly
probably lives in ease; in fact, a gen.
tleman of your own class, whose likes
and dislilkes are cut from the same
pattern as your own. Well, that is as
1t should be. A woman such as you
are ought to marry an equal, man
whose mind and manners are fitted
to the high place he holds in your af-
fection and in your world. How many
worlds there are; man-made and
heaven-made, and each as deadly as
the other, as cold and implacable! To
you, who have been kind to me, have
acted like fool. The truth is, I've
been skulking. My vanity was hurt.
| had the idea that it was myself and
not my resemblance that appealed to
your interest. What makes you trust
me?" bluntly; and he stopped as he
asked the question.
why, / don't know" blankly. In
stantly she recovered herself. But
do trust you She walked on, and
perforce he fell into her stride
1T is because you trust the other
man."
Thanks. That is 1t precisely; and
for nearly two weeks I've been trying
to solve that very thing"
After pause he asked: Have you
ever read Reade's 'Singleheart and
Doubleface?"
"Yes. But what bearing has it upon
our discussion?"
None that you would understand"
evasively. His tongue had nearly
tripped him.
Are you sure?"
"Of this, that l shall never under
stand women"
do not try to-" she advised. "All
these men who knew most about wom-
en- were the unhappiest."
They made round in silence. Many
an eye peered at them; and envy and
admiration and curiosity brought their
shafts to bear upon her. It was some
thing to create these variant express
sions of interest She was oblivious.
I'VE stop at Penang?' she asked.
Five or six hours, long enough to
see the town."
I'VE went directly from Singapore
to Colombo. so we missed the town
coming out. I should like to see that
cocoanut plantation of yours"
1T is too far inland Besides. l am
persona non grata there AS, In
deed, he was. His heart burned with
shame and rage at the recollection of
the last day there. Three or four
times, during the decade, the misfor-
tune of being found out had fallen to
his lot, and always when he was en-
ployed at something worth while.
Elsa discreetly veered into another
channel. You will go back to Italy.
l suppose"
Yes, shall go to Italy once more.
But first l am going home" He was
not aware of the grimnness that en-
tered his voice as he made this state