The Spectator., 1915-01-22
minor detail being attended to with

when all was dcCOupllSueO, luo worker came to the doorway where he had paused on that long past autumn morning of his first awakening there, and stood gazing for the last time upon what had been the field of his labors these many months; and as he looked about, 1t seemed as though his heart would break at the thought of leaving it. But go he must.
 Clenching his hands. he called him. self fool, speaking aloud in his pain. For moment the wild hope came to him that he might, after all, stay on; or, at least, return; and then with re- newed clearness the urgent reasons for departure came surging back. His secret. which Iris knew, was no longer safe. His mother, whose entreaties he dared not face, was living in the very same city, and might at any mo- ment meet with him. Then there was Hill. He had found Iris, and all must be well between them, for had not Bell Milligan told how they had gone of | together? This happy occurrence would end Hills reasons for staying away. More, the painter had returned Mir. Jones. the only pledge Pedro had | given him, thereby ending the bargain. | Then, too, in few weeks 1t would be | spring, and the hedgerows would awaken. new-clad in green, and the broad highway would call and call.
 But none of these is the great req son!" cried Pedro aloud Holy moth | CT, have mercy upon me! The real reason Is Leigh! It is he. 1t is he whom cannot endure to leave! Yet go l must. Suppose he should suspect me! What would he say to such as 1 Ia wild holden thing who had defied and broken all the ties of womanhood? Holy madonna. Have pity!"
 His arms flew wide as if to em- brace the knees of the Virgin, and his face was drawn with anguish.
 'I can never atone for my actions!" he thought If he discovers that l am woman. he will always despise me! Better leave to him the memory of a boy friend whom he loved and who ran away!"
 Then. gathering up his courage, he went final round of the dearly loved workshop. caressing each object as he passed, as though it had been ami mate. Everywhere were things that reminded him of Leigh. There they had sat and talked on such a night; here he had perched while he showed some tricks of technique; together they had stood at this window looking over the roof-tops at the city which they had talked of beautifying, and beside this table he had often drawn a chair, when they sat down to share scanty meal and an abundance of talk on subjects dear to them. Oh, it was too cruel, too full of poignant memories, this place! Nothing was to be gained by tarrying, but wounds fresh wounds, added to that which he was doomed to carry forever. Since going was inevitable. best go quickly and be done To run away down the dark stair, along the cold street. away, away. to the blossoming South land and the search for forgetfulness
 With set lips he put on hat and coat extinguished the candle, and by the dim glow of the banked fire, began to gather up the belt of the knapSack Then a sound on the staircase caused his heart to give great leap. after which it seemed to stop beating alto gether. Nearer and nearer came the familiar step, and then. without pause 1t crossed the landing and the door was burst open to admit the towering figure of Abraham Lincoln Leigh.
 
 Are you there?" the deep voice asked commandingly. as the man peered into the gloom.
 'I-yes!" answered Pedro weakly.
 Thank God," exclaimed Leigh Then. as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness. he placed her.
 'I was just going" began Pedro faintly, T."
 Sit down beside me-" said Leigh gently but firmly, Il want to say sev' eral things to you"
 Yes, but" protested the girl.
 Sit down. my dear" said Leigh striking a light.
 There was a tense silence while he lit the lamp, the soft glow presently revealing them to each other. Then Pedro slowly obeyed the strangely put command, and they sat silently for a long moment. Joking into each others eyes with that perfect understanding that had been theirs from the first Oh! How could she have doubted him for an instant" There was no misun derstanding the meaning of that "dear"-nor of the tone in which he had spoken 1t. A wild tingling sensa' tion began to dance through her veins, and at the light in his eyes deep flush began to creep over her face, feminine enough now. despite it's frame of close-cut curls. At length she spoke never taking her eyes from his.
 "So you know" she said superflu ously.
 Yes"