The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-05-20
CHAPTER v.
Back to Life.


mind and manner which had once been
the mans began to find expression.
Physically, his voice became soft and
mellow; his hands became full of en-
phasis; his body grew less and less
clumsy, more and more leonine. The
blunt speech, the irritability in argu-
ment, the stupid pauses, the painful
study of cunning phrases, the suspi-
cion and reticence that figuratively en-
crust the hearts of shy and lonely men,
these vanished under her warm if care
less glances.
If the crust of barbarism is thick
that of civilization Is thin enough. AS
Warrington went forward Elsa stopped
and gradually went back, not far, but
far enough to cause her to throw down
the bars of reserve, to cease to guard
her impulses against the invasion Of
interest and fascination She faced the
truth squarely. The man fascinated
her. He was like portrait with fol-
lowing eyes. She spoke Familiarity of
her affairs always emitting Arthur;
she talked of her travels, of the ia
nous people she had met, of the won
derful pageants she had witnessed. 1t
was not her fault that, with the ex-
ception of Martha, who didn't count,
they two were the only passengers.
This condition of affairs was directly
boat reached Rangoon, Elsa was quite
willing to let fate shift and set the
scenes how it would.
The phase that escaped her entirely
was this, that had he not progressed
she would have retained her old poise,
the old poise of which she was never
again to be mistress. 1t is the old
tale-sympathy to lift up another first
steps down. And never had her SYM
pathy gone out so quickly to any NOR
tall Elsa had horror Of loneliness,
and this man seemed to be the living
presentment of the word. What strug-
giles, and how simply he recounted
them! What things he had seen, what
adventures had befallen him, what ro-
nance and mystery! She wondered
If there had been a woman in his life
and if she had been the cause of his
downfall. Every day Of the past ten
years lay open for her to admire or
condemn, but beyond these ten years
there was Chinese wall, over which
she might not look. Only once had she
his head. He was strong. Not the
smallest corner of the veil was she
permitted to turn aside. She walked
hither and thither along the scarps and
bastions of the barrier, but never
found the breach
"Will you come and dine with me to-
night?" she asked, as they left the
boat.
mo, Miss Innocence"
That's silly. There isn't soul !
know here"
But" gravely he replied, there
are many here who know me-"
(Which infers that my invitation is
unwise?"
Absolutely unwise. Frankly,
ought not to be seen with you
why? Unless, indeed, you have
not told me the truth. Where's the
harm?"
"For myself, none. On the boat it
did not matter so much. 1t was stu
alton which neither of us could foresee
nor prevent. have told you that
people here look askance at me be-
cause they know nothing about me,
save that came from the States. And
they are wise. / should be a cad If
accepted your invitation to dinner"
Then ! am not to see you again 2"
The smile would have lured him
across three continents. Tomorrow
promise to call and have tea with you,
much against my better Judgment"
ooh, if you don't want to come {. :"
Don't want to comet
Something In his eyes caused Elsa
to speak hurriedly. "Good-by until to-
morrow"
She gave him her hand for a mo-
ment, stepped into the carriage. which
already held Martha and the luggage.
and then drove OF TO the Strand hotel.
He stood with his helmet in his
hand. A fine, warm rain was falling,
but he was not conscious of 1t. Il
seemed incredible that time should
produce such change within the
space of seventy hours, little more,
a little less. AS she turned and waved
a friendly hand he knew that the DESC
lation which had been his for ten years
was nothing as compared to that which
now fell upon his heart. She was as
unattainable as the north star; and
nothing, time nor circumstance, could
bridge that incalculable distance. His
heart hurt him. He must see her no
more after the morrow. Enchantment
and happiness were two words which