Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-03-06
iCOpY1RL0TT By ZzE cx1vzLI2T CO.

II L
thin or so fatf"
Collingeford recovered himself. "Nei-
ther too thin nor too fat. 1t is per-
fection, not imperfectlon. that dis
mays man. You call it a short year?"
he added gravely. It's been an eter-
nity-not year,
But Aix was not to be diverted
from her tone of bsdinage. She looked
him over critically "Well," she said,
Il congratulate you. l didn't know be-
fore that bronze could bronze. What
lot of health you carry about with
you"
Collingeford smiled. "Cem said 1
looked as though had been living on
babies"
They sat and stared at each other.
Each found the other good to look up
on. Seen alone. Collingeford'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. AIix grew
grave under inspection, Collingsford
nervous. "There is no newsP he
asked.
None" said Aiix and a far-away
look came into her eyes as If her mind
were of, thousands OF miles, intent
on a search OF its 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 a
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 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 lie was going to
say word Alix gave him a full, meas
uring look and said almost hastily, "It
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 play
Colllngeford caught up with her and
said moodlIy, "Gf You call me Honor
able Percy again shall dub you Hon
est Allx."
They were walking down the ave-
nue.. "Honest Allx isn't half bad"
he continued thoughtfully. "The race
has got into the habit of yoking the
~ aAf n,aI
other peoples pennies but it's a good
old word that stands for trustworthy,
shame. mo, of course not he stam-
mered
"You see-or can't you see?" she
went on, that all this new life Of
mine I've hung on to q single hook of
faith. l could not break out from this
probation for any other man. / do
not mean that woman can love but
once-not necessarily. But l do think
that ones life must spring from a new
chrysalis to meet a new love fairly.
Second loves at first sight have a tang
of the bargain counter and the ready
made. Love is not chance tenant.
He must build or grow into a new
home"
They walked on In full silence.
ColliDgeford's shoulders dropped. For
the first time in his life he felt old.
"You are right--yOu are always right"
he said at last. II shall go away
somewhere where it's easy to sweat"
Somewhere where it's easy to
sweat"' exclaimed Alix. what an
ugly thought"
''It's only Bodsky," said Collingeford
reminlscently. "BoGssy 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 Colingeford.
81 was going 10 say, But what naked
languagep Perhaps 1t is one of those
truths one shrinks from because it
starts in by slapping ones face. Any
way, even if It is truth, it's horrid.
1t hurts woman to be forgotten"
Collingeford smiled. Just so," he
said and stopped before an uptown
ticket agency. DO you mindT he
asked, with a wave of his hand. They
went in and he bought passage for
England. He was TO sail the following
afternoon. He looked so glum over it
that Alix consented to lunch with him
and see him off.
He came for her the next day a lit
tie late but, when she saw bis face,
she felt 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 in night. He helped
her into the waiting cab and then
sank back into his corner.
Alix laid her .gloved hand on his
knee. "What is itY" she asked.
Collingefords face twitched. He
fixed his eyes through the cab window
on nothing. "Bodsky," he said, "is
dead. He has been dead for months"
"Oh," cried Allx, "Im sorry. I'm
sorry for you.' She did not try, to
say any more. She had put all her
heart into those few words.
Collingeford drew out his pocket
book and took from 1t solled sheet
of paper-a leaf torn from field note