The Detroit times., 1915-06-01

other and together they all make n
chain which binds us irrevocably 70
our destiny,
For an instant. apparently, sub
mitted to Mr.. Barlowe's kiss. But
Il was not exactly submission. II
was only really that his caress had
so taken me by surprise. He had
been seated upon the piano stool
playing and singing. and had
drawn so close 20 him In my rapt
attention. My mind was far from
any thought OF possible love making.
Then suddenly he had risen. caught
my face between his two hands, and
kissed me. was scarcely conscious
Of his touch until realized his blue
eyes were still gazing down into
mine, and that he was about to kiss
me again. | did not reason. | did
not know IL were angry or
ashamed, or merely surprised II
was az though some instinct swept
over me and possessed me until !
was but an instrument in its hands.
/ tore myself furiously from Mr..
Barlowes embrace. stood facing
him, my checks and eyes blazing.
my lips quivering, and my. hands
clenched.
why did you do that?' de-
manded: and as he did not answer
at once stamped my foot. why
did you do that" | cried again.
Slowly the amazed expression on
the mans face changed to some
thing semi-humorous.
why do you think most men kiss
girls?" he asked.
was not pacifed.
But nice men don't kiss nice
girls" I protested
This time Mr.. Barlowe laughed
outright.
Don't they?" he queried in turn.
I'm sure don't see why they
shouldn't am perfectly certain
am a nice man and | should really
much prefer TO kiss nice girls than
nasty ones
oh" | cried, and turned my
back on him. "Oh how dare you
make fun OF me, won't stand IL,
II" and here broke down and
began to cry. "I'll do something /
don't know what I'll do. but I'll do
something TO you for this
heard Mr.. Barlowe coming to-
wards me- In his voice when he
spoke was soothing tone, and |
thought some genuine surprise.
my dear girl he protested. "Are
you really as cut up as all that
about one little kiss? Did no man
ever kiss you before. really"
heard him coming still closer,
and dreaded his touching me; but
was not a coward really. | dashed
the tears from my eyes with my
handkerchief and faced him.
"As 1t happens" | told him. "one
man has kissed me lots OF times. |
was engaged TO be married before |
started To work on the stage; but ]
never heard OF just perfectly strange
men kissing nice girls And It isn't
right know il isn't. And you
frightened me: and I don't think
you ought to have done t."
"By George" said Mr.. Barlowe
looking at me quite puzzled by this
time. II believe ! have frightened
you. believe you aren't acting at
all. Well what do you think OF
that? Here's the prettiest little girl
in the world and IL seems she has
never been kissed.
| turned away from him again and
walked toward the window. Some
thing in the mans cheap attitude
toward me. and light words, hurt
me 10 the quick. | had thought he
honestly liked me, admired me; and
now, so soon. he was making fun
OF me. OF the girlish ideals that
somehow I had managed TO cling TO
through all my chaotic childhood,
The red hung room and the shaded
lamps were no longer beautiful to
me: and the man with his flashing
smile and too easily tender glances
seemed no longer handsome.
wanted to go home. turned
from the window and walked across