The midland journal., 1916-04-21

have come she said, ana then paused.
EIer eyes wavered. Was she glad he
had Gomez
COllfngef0rd caught her mood. "Just
what do you mean By that9" he asked
gravely.
Alix' eyes came back to his face.
"I--T don't know, she stammered.
They sat down. CoIlingeford dropped
his hat and stick and leaned for
ward. A dun color burned in his
cheeks. ssAiix," be said. .shas has
anything happenedY'
"No." said Alix, mot what voc
mean. Gerry Is alive He has writ
ten. He says he is coming back
some time
Collingeford sprang to his feet. bis
eyes flashing.
"Some time! Did he really write
that? Some timer"
There was a petuIant look about
Alixs mouth that belonged TO an Alix
of long ago. She tried to shake It OF
with her mood. "No." she said duly,
after q pause. 'sHe didn't write just
that but IT 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 nerv0usly at his mus
tache. He came to a stop before Alix
and stood looking down at her, his
eyes eager but questioning. "Wellg'
he said.
AK made q little gesture of despair
with her t.7o hands. "I-I don't know, Z
she repeated. Then, quite quietly, she
began to cry.
CoIllngeford caught her hands aad
drew her to her feet. He put his arms
| around her. She laid her head against
his shoulder and sobbed. Coifinge-
ford's heart was beating furiously
His arms trembled. He longed to
strain her to him, but he only held heI
firmly and patted her back. Some in
stinct told him that this was not the
moment of possession.
| When Alix could talk he knew thai
his instinct was true. "Oh," she said
what little beast am! Unfair tc
you, unfair to myself"
She disengaged herself and sal
down. With tiny square Of cambria
she dabbed at her eyes.
Here" said CoIlingeford. and held
out big, fresh handkerchief.
AHx took it and used it 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. 81 have been a little beast. =
'No," SAID Collingeford. gravely
.'you have been unspeakably lovable. :
1T would have been that IL loved
ynu. But I don't. That's why I've
been beast. 10 make you think
Collingeford interrupted her. "You
made me think nothing. Somehow
knew. knew 1t was just loneliness
running over from full heart"
Alix nodded. slow wonderful OF
you to understand" she said. "Lone.
". Yes. I've been terribly lonely
Never before so lonely"
"You shall not be lonely any more, Z
said CoIlingeford. ''Every day III
come and talk to you, take you ont
anything. I'm yours"
Alix shook her head from side tc
side. Her eyes refused him.
"Alix.r cried Collingeford, hurt
"don't you want me even for friend ??
"Don't mistake what Tn going tc
say. viii you?" said Alix.
Collingeford shook his head.
Gerry is coming back" went on
Alix, ebut-T don't know what he is
bringing back. Perhaps 1t is some
thing he can't share with me; perhaps
it is something do not want. When
you went away had only faith; now
have only doubt. Such big doubt.
That's why said to you. I don't
know And while don't know I will
not have you even for friend" Alix
flushed and fixed her eyes on Collinge-
ford's face. 'sDo you understands"
Collingeford's eyes were glowing.
eyes," he said, ST think I do. You
mean that perhaps on-you will
send for me-"
Perhaps only perhaps" whispered
Alix.
Collingeford picked up his hat and
stick. He took Alix' hand and held 1t
long. She would not look up. He
stopped and kissed her fingers.
II shall be waiting" he said
AT17 n R7?fPrN.