Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-06-17


have come" she said. ard then paused.
Her eyes wavered. Was she glad he
] had come?
Colltngeford caught her mood. Just
what do You mean by thatT" he asked
graveS.
Alix' eyes came back to his face.
II don't know" she stammered.
They sat down. Collingeford dropped
his hat and stick and leaned for
ward A dull color burned in his
cheeks. "Alix," he said. ''has-has
anything happenedT"
NO" said Ally. mot what you
mean. Gerry is alive. He has writ
ten. He says he is coming back
some time"
Collingeford sprang to his feet. his
eyes flashing,
Some time! Did be really write
that? Some timer"
There was a petulant look about
Alix' mouth that belonged to an Alix
of long ago She tried TO shake it Off
with her mood. mo" she said duly.
after a pause. HE didn't write just
that but ii amounts to the same thing.
He wrote but he has not come"
Collingeford paced up and down the
little veranda. his arms crossed and
one hand pulling neryously at his mus
tache. He came to stop before Alix
and stood looking down at her. his
eyes eager but questioning. 'Well?"
he said
AK made little gesture of despair
with her two hands. II don't know
she repeated Then, quite quietly. she
began TO cry.
Collingeford caught her hands and
drew her to her feet. He put his arms
around her She laid her head against
his shoulder and sobbed. Collinge-
ford's heart was beating furiously.
His arms trembed. He longed to
strain her to him, but he only held her
firmly and patted her back. Some in
stinct told him that this was not the
moment OF possession.
When Alix could talk he knew that
his instinct was true. oh" she said,
what a little beast l am! Unfair to
you, unfair TO myself"
She disengaged herself and sat
down. With tiny square of cambria
she dabbed at her eyes.
Here said Collingeford. and held
out a big, fresh handkerchief
Alix took it and used it solemnly.
Then its bulk struck a sudden note
Of humor. She laughed and ColIinge-
ford smiled. AS he gave back the hand
kerchief she pressed Collingeford's
hand. 81 have been little beast"
No" said Collingeford gravely.
you have been unspeakably lovable."
1t would have been that if loved
you. But l don't. That's why I've
been a beast. To make you think"
| Collingeford interrupted her, You
made me think nothing. Somehow
knew. I knew it was just loneliness
running over from n full heart"
Alix nodded "How wonderful Of
you to understand" she said Lone
ly. Yes. I've been terribly lonely.
Never before so lonely"
you shall not be lonely any MORE"
said Collngeford. Every day I'll
come and talk to you. take you out
anything. I'm yours"
Alix shook her head from side to
side. Her eyes refused him.
"Alix." cried Colingeford, hurt,
don't you want me even for a friend 2"
Don't mistake what I'm going to
say, will you?" said Alx.
CollinEeford shook his head.
Gerry Is coming back" went on
Alix, butt don't know what he is
bringing back. Perhaps 1t is some
thing he can't share with me; perhaps
it is something l do not want. When
you went away I had only faith; now
have only doubt. Such big doubt.
That's why l said to you Il don't
know And while l don't know l will
not have You even for friend" Alix
flushed and fixed her eyes on Collinge-
ford's face. 'Do you understands"
Collingeford's eyes were glowing.
YES" he said, 81 think ! do. You
mean that perhaps-later on-you will
/ send for me-"
''Perhaps-only perhaps" whispered
! Alix.
: Collingeford picked up his hat and
stick. lie took Alix' hand and held it
long. She would not look up. He
stopped and kissed her fingers.
~ shall be waiting" he said.