Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-05-26

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.
"I-I 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 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 it amounts to the same thing.
he WEOt0 Out ue Has uOl NOhC.
Collingeford paced up and down the
little veranda, his arms crossed and
one hand pulling nervously at his mus
tache. He came to a stop before Alix
and stood looking down at her. his
eyes eager but questioning. "Well?'
he said.
Alix made a little gesture of despair
Iynnw ~
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 a little beast am! Unfair to
you, unfair to myself"
She disengaged herself and sat
| down. With a 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 Collinge-
ford smiled. AS he gave back the hand
kerchief she pressed Collingeford's
hand. 81 have been a little beast"
"Nc" 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 full heart"
Alix nodded. "How 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"
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 mistake what I'm going to
say, will your" 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
| it is something l do not want. When
you went away l had only faith; now
1 have only doubt. Such big doubt.
That's why l said to you, L 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-
fords face. "Do you understand"
Collingeford's eyes were glowing.
eyes," 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 Alix' hand and held it
long She would not look up. He
stopped and kissed her fingers.
81 shall be waiting" he said.