Rocky Ford enterprise., 1916-10-20

have come" she said, and then paused.
Her eyes wavered. Was she glad he
! had come?
Collingeford caught her mood. "Just
what do you mean by that?" he asked
gravely.
Alix' eyes came back to his face.
IL 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 happened"
"No," said Alix, 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 he really write
that? Some timer"
There was 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 it amounts to the same thing.
He wrote but he has not come"
|
little veranda. his arms crossed and
one hand pulling nervously at his mus
tache. He came to stop before Alix
and stood looking down at her. his
eyes eager but questioning. "Well?'
he said.
Alix made little gesture of despair
with her two hands. IL 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 trembled. 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 little beast l am! Unfair to
you, unfair to myself"
She disengaged herself and sat
down. With a tiny square Of cambric
she dabbed at her eyes.
Here" said Collingeford. and held
out big. fresh handkerchief.
Alix took it and used 1t solemnly.
Then its bulk struck a sudden note
of humor. She laughed and Collinge-
ford smiled. As he gave back the hand
kerchief she pressed Collingeford's
hand. ~ have been little beast"
NO" said Collingeford gravely.
"you have been unspeakably lovable."
| hnr ha ff \
you. But / don't. That's why I've
been a beast. To make you think"
Collingeford interrupted her. You
made me think nothing. Somehow l
knew. 1 knew it was just loneliness
running over from 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 Collingeford. "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 Collingeford, hurt,
don't you want me even for friend?"
| DON'T mlStake wnat In going 10
say, will you?" said Alix.
Collingeford shook his head.
Gerry is coming back" went on
Alix, 'but-I don't know what he is
bringing back. Perhaps it is some
thing he can't share with me; perhaps
1t is something | do not want. When
You went away had only faith; now
l have only doubt. Such big doubt.
That's why l said to you. 4 don't
know And while don't know 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. He took AliS' hand and held 1t
| long. She would not look up. He
stopped and kissed her fingers.
II shall be waiting" he said.