The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1916-07-20

have come" she said, ana then paused.
Her eyes wavered. Was she glad he
had come?
Colllngeford caught her mood. "Just
what do you mean by that?" he asked
gravely.
Allx' eyes came back to his face.
Ell 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. "Ahx," he said, ''has-has
anything happenedT
"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 a petulant look about
Alix' mouth that belonged TO an AliX
OF long ago. She tried to shake II of
witL-Ner mood. mo" she said DULY,
after pause. HE didn't write just
that but It amounts to the same thing.
He wrote but he has not come"
Collingeford paced up and down tbs
little veranda, his arms crossed aud
one hand pulling nervously at his nus
tache. He came to q stop befo7e AK
and stood looking down at Aer, his
eyes eager but questioninS Weir
he said.
Alix made a 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 heT
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 tC
you, unfair to myself"
She disengaged herself and sa
down. With a tiny square of cambria
she dabbed at her eyes.
Here" said Colllngeford, and held
out a big, fresh handkerchief.
Allx took it and used it solemnly
Then its bulk struck a sudden not
OF humor She laughed and Collinge
ford smiled. AS he gave back the hand
kerchief she pressed Collingefordi
hand. 81 have been a little beast.
mo" said Collingeford gravely
you have been unspeakably lovable.
1T would have been that If | love-
you. But l don't. That's why w
been n beast. To make you think
Collingeford interrupted her. "Yo'
made me think nothing. Somehow
knew. I knew it was just lonelines
running over from full heart"
Alix nodded. "How wonderful o
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 ColIingeford. Every day T.
come and talk to you, take you out
anything. I'm yours"
Alix shook her head from side {
side. Her eyes refused him.
AK" cried Colllngeford, hur-
don't you want me even for friend
Don't mistake what I'm going
say, will you?" said Alix.
CoIlingeford shook his head.
Gerry is coming back" went o
Alix, butt don't know what he
bringing back. Perhaps it is some
thing he can't share with me; perhap
It is something l do not want. Whe
you went away l had only faith; noV
have only doubt. Such big doub
That's why | said TO you, L don
know And while don't know l wi
not have you even for friend" All
flushed and fixed her eyes on Colling'
ford's face. do you understands"
Colllngeford's eyes were glowing
YES" he said, 81 think ! do. 70
mean that perhaps-later on-you wi
send for me-"
"Perhaps-only perhaps" whispere
Allx.
Colllngeford picked up his hat an
stick. He took Allx' hand and held
long. She would not look up. II
stopped and kissed her fingers.
ct shall no waiting" he said