The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-03-17
Copyright by The Century Company

quite a warm afternoon after all--al
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 tt
say a word Alix gave him full. meas
uring look and said, almost hastily, "Ii
is too cold, after all. Quite chilly. II
was our walking so fast deceived u.s.
She rose and started tentatively to-
ward the gate. "Come on. Honorable
Percy" she said playfully.
Collingeford caught up with her and
said moodily, IF you call me Honor
able Percy again 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 good
old word that stands for trustworthy
sincere, truthful and all tie other ad,
jectives that fit straight riding"
Speaking Of riding, Mr.. Coilinge'
ford, you're riding for fall Alix
glanced at him meaningly.
How did you know:" he stammered
and then went on rather sullenly,
Anyway, you're wrong. I'm not. But
I 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
1 mean. You'll break your stick and
it's the one I like
Collingeford turned a flushed face
to her. "Look here, Alix," he said,
you are honest and sincere and all
those things I said. Don't let's hedge
not just now. II 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
d'you think you ever would"
Alix did not smile. He was too
much in earnest and she liked him toe
much-was too much ut one with him
NOT to feel what he was going
through. 81 like your Honest Alix. y
she said, after. a pause, 'and I'm go
ing TO let her do the talking for a mo-
ment. If I learned absolutely that
that Gerry can never come back to me,
there is no man that I would turn to
quicker than to you.s Collingeford
gave her a grateful look and the flush
under his tan deepened. Don't mis-,
understand me-" she went on. Il like
you a whole lot, but I have never
thought of marrying anyone but Ger
ry. I'd like to marry Gerry. I've ney-
er married him yet. Not really"
They walked on for some time in 81
Ience. Collingeford's thoughts had
raced away southwards and Alix'
followed them unerringly. Don't
make one horrible mistake, Percy
she said when she was sure. "Don't
imagine that 1 could ever love the
bearer Of Ill udings."
Collingeford flushed, this time with
shame. mo, of course not he STAN
mered.
1ou SES~-Oi Nah Sou SJOs 'oA~
went on, that all this new life OF
mine I've hung on to a single hook OF
faith. I could not break out from this
probation for any other man. l dc
not mean that woman can love but
once-not necessarily. But do think
that ones life must spring from a new
chrysalis to meet a new love fairly
Second loves at first sight have tang
of the bargain counter and the ready
made. Love Is not chance tenant
He must build or grow into q new
home"
They walked on in n full silence
Collingefords shoulders dropped. Fol-
the first time in his life he felt, old
you are right-you are always right. .
be said at last II shall go away
somewhere where it's easy to sweat
Somewhere where it's easy to
sweat" exclaimed Alix What au
ugly thought
Its only Bodsky,' said Coilingeford
reminiscently. ''Bodsky says you can
drown any woman's memory in sweat
Good old Bod. wonder where shall
find him.
oh" said Alix, If it's Bodsky's $
one mustn't quarrel with it simply be
cause it is ugly. But
But what?" said Collingeford.
II was going 10 say, But what naked
language! Perhaps it is one of those
truths one shrinks from because il
starts in by slappins ones face. Any.
way. even if it is truth, it's horrid
It hurts a woman to be forgotten
Collingeford smiled Just So" he
said and stopped before an uptown
ticket agency. ''Do you mind?" he
went in and he bought passage for
England He was to sail the following
afternoon. He looked so glum over II
that 'Alix consented to lunch with him
and see him off.
He came for her the next day lit
tie late but, when she saw his face
she felt a shock and forgot to chide
him. Her eyes mirrored the trouble in
his but somehow she felt that it was
not the parting from her that had
turned him pale i'll night. He helped
her into the waiting cab and then
sank back into his corner.
Alix laid her gloved hand Oh his
knee. What is it?' she asked.
Collingeford's face twitched. He
fixed his eyes through the cab window
on nothing. "Bodsky." he said, IFS
dead. He has been dead for months
oh cried Alix, Pm sorry. I'm
sorry for you" She did not try to
say any more. She had put all her
heart into those few words.
Colingeford drew out his pocket
book and took from it soiled sheet
Of paper--a leaf torn from field note
book. He held it out to her with trem
bling hand. II wouldn't show it IL
anyone else. Trouble has made you
great hearted. Read It."
Alix puzzled over the slip Of papar