Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-07-06

The calm which had settled on Alix'
life puzzled her. She wondered If she
was beginning to miss Gerry less. She
was still debating the point when Col
hngeford arrived in the city. Upon
arrival he called on Mrs. ]. Y. and
then on Nance and then, of course, on
AliX. AS she came into the room he
felt strange tiuttering in his throat.
1t stopped his words of greeting He
suffered and stared. He had never
felt so glad at the sight of any one.
what are you looking so dismayed
about?" cried Alix with a smile and
holding out her hand HAS a short
year changed me so much? Am | 50
thin or so fat?'
COllingeford recovered himself. Mel
Their too thin nor too fat. 1t is per-
lection, not imperfection, that dis
mays man. You call it a short yearY'
he added gravely. It's been an eter-
nity-not a year,
But AliX was not to be diverted
from her tone of badinage She looked
him over critically. Well" she said,
Il congratulate you. l didn't know be-
fore that bronze could bronze. What
a lot Of health you carry about with
you"
CollingefOrd smiled. "Clem said I
looked as though l had been living ON
babies"
They sat and stared at each other.
Each found the other good to look up
on. Seen alone, Collingefori's tall,
tense figure or the fragile quality OF
Alix' pale beauty, would have seemed
hard to match. Seen together, they
were wonderfully in tone. Alix grew
grave under inspection, Collingsford
nervous. There Is no newsw he
asked
None" said Allx and far-away
look came into her eyes as If her mind
were off, thousands Of miles, intent
on a search of it's own.
COllingefOrd broke the SPELL He
jumped up and said he had come for
just one thing-to take her out for a
walk. 1t was one Of those nippy ear
ly winter afternoons cut out to fit
walk. Alix must put on her things.
She did and together they walked the
long length of the avenue and out into
the park.
By that time they had decided it was
quite a warm afternoon after all-8l-
most warm enough to sit down. They
tried it. Collingeford sat half turned
on the bench and devOured Alix with
his eyes. And just as he was going to
say a word Alix gave him a full, meas
uring look and said, almost hastily, ct
is too cold, after all. Quite chilly. It
was our walking so fast deceived u.s."
She rose and started tentatively to-
ward the gate. "Come on, Honorable
Percy" she said playfully.
ColIingeford caught up with her and
said modify, IF you call me Honor
able Percy again l shall dub you Hon.
est Alix"
They were walking down the ave-
nue.. Honest Alix isn't half bad"
he continued thoughtfully "The race
has got into the habit Of yoking the
word honest to our attitude toward
other peoples pennies but it's a good
old word that stands for trustworthy,
sincere, truthful and all the other ad-
jectives that fit straight riding"
Speaking Of riding, Mr. Collinge-
ford, you're riding for a fall" Alix
glanced at him meaningly.
How did you know?" he stammered
and then went on rather sulenly,
Anyway, you're wrong. I'm not But
was just going to-" He prodded vi
ciOusly at the cracks in the pavement
with his stick.
Don't" said Alix Don't do that,
| mean. You'll break your stick and
it's the one | like"
Collingeford turned a flushed face
to her. Look here, Alix," he said,
you are honest and sincere and all
those things 1 said Don't let's hedge
not just now. If your bad luck
doesn't let up-if you learn ANYTHING
anything you don't want to KNOW
can't say it right out-would you-
dy0u think you ever would"
ITO be Concluded)