Gilpin observer., 1916-09-28
Copyright By The Century Company

grave under Inspection, C0lllngSfOrQ
nervous. "There Is no news" he
asked.
"None," said Alix and q far-away
look came into her eyes as II 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 At q
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 1t 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 he was going to
say q word Alix gave him a full, meas
uring look and said, almost hastily, ut
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.
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. 1.-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 tie other ad-
jectives that At straight riding"
Speaking of riding, Mr.. Colllnge-
ford. you're riding for a 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
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 I like"
Collingeford turned a flushed face
to her. Look here. Alix," he said,
you are honest and sincere and all
those things l 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-I
can't say 1t right out-wOuld you
d'you think you ever would"
| Alix did not smile. He was too
much in earnest and she liked him too
much-was too much at one with him
not to feel what he was going
through. II like your Honest Alix,"
she said, after a pause. "and I'm 60
ing to let her do the talking for a mo-
ment. II l learned absolutely that
that Gerry can never come back to me,
there is no man that would turn to
quicker than to you" Collingeford
gave her a grateful look and the flush
under his tan deepened. Don't mis-
understand me-" she went on II like
you a whole lot, but I have never
thought Of marrying anyone but Ger
~. I'd like to marry Gerry. I've new.
er married him yet. Not really"
They walked on for some time In 81
ience. Colllngeford's thoughts had
raced away southwards and Alix
followed them unerrlngly. Dom
make one horrible mistake, Percy,
she said when she was sure. Don
imagine that 1 could ever love thu
bearer Of Ill tidings."
Collingeford flushed, this time will
shame. mo, OF course not" he STAN
mercd.
"You see-or can't you see?" sh'
went on, that all this new life o
mine I've hung on to II single hook o
faith. could not break out from thi'
probation for any other man. d.
not mean that woman can love bu
once-not necessarily. But l do thlnl
that ones life must spring from new
chrysalis to meet n new love fairly
Second loves at first sight have tani
of the bargain counter and the read!
made. Love Is not n chance tenant
He must build or grow Into new
home"
They walked on in full silence
Collipgeford's shoulders dropped. Fo
the first time In his life he felt old
you are right-you are always right,
he said at last Il shall go AWAY
somewhere where It's easy to sweat.
Somewhere where it's easy t
sweatv exclaimed Alix. "What al
ugly thought"
Its only Bodsky." said Collingefor
remlniscentiy. "Bodsky says you cal
drown any woman's memory lr sweat
Good old Bod! wonder where sha
find Eim." 't'
"Oh," said Alix, III it's Bodsky's
one mustn't quarrel with It simply bt
cause 1t is ugly. But-"
"But whatf" said Coilingeford.
81 was going to say. But what make
languagev Perhaps It is one Of thos
truths one shrinks from because
starts In by slapping ONES face. Any
way, even II It Is a truth. it's horrit
| In ho fOrDOttan ~