Mexico Missouri message., 1916-03-09
copvriRht by ~ century compan

I
were wonderfully in tone. Alix grew
grave under inspection, Collingsford
nervous. There is no news?" he
| asked.
"None," said Allx and a far-away
look came into her eyes as IL her mind
were of. thousands of miles, intent
on a search of Its own.
Collingeford broke the spSll. He
jumped up and said he had come for
just one thlng-to take her out for a
walk. It was one Of those nippy ear
~ 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 a warm afternoon after all-nl-
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 full, meas
uring look and said, almost hastily, 1T
Is too cold, after all. Quite chilly. 1t
was our walking so fast deceived u.s."
She rose and started tentatively to-
ward the gate. "Come on, Honorable
Percy" she said playfully.
Colllngeford caught up with her and
said moodily, "If you call me Honor
able Percy again 1 shall dub you Hon
est Alix."
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
word honest to our attitude toward
other peoples pennies but it's 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 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
1 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 1 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-lf you learn anything
anything you don't want to know-I
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 too
much-was too much at one with him
not to feel what he was going
through. 81 like your Honest Alix,"
she said, after a pause, "and Tm 60
ing to let her do the talking for mo-
ment. If / learned absolutely that
that Gerry can never come back to me,
| there is no man that l would turn to
| quicker than to you" Colllngeford
gave her a grateful look and the flush
under his tan deepened. Don't mis-
understand me-" she went on II like
you q whole lot, but have never
thought of marrying anyone but Ger
ry. I'd like to marry Gerry. I've new
er married him yet. Not really"
They walked on for some time in ST.
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 could ever love the
bearer of Ill tidings."
Collingeford flushed, this time with
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 a single hook of
faith. l could not break out from this
probation for any other man. do
not mean that a woman can love but
once-not necessarily. But do think
that ones life must spring from 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 a chance tenant.
He must build or grow into a new
home"
They walked on in a full silence.
Collingeford'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 80 away
somewhere where it's easy to sweat"
Somewhere where it's easy to
sweat" exclaimed Alix. "What an
ugly thought"
"Its only Bodsky," said Collingeford
reminiscently "Bodsky says you can
drown any voman's memory in sweat.
Good old Boi! l wonder where shall
find lin"
"oh," sid Alix, "if it's Bodsky's,
one musD't quarrel with 1t simply be-
cause 1t Is ugly. But"
but What| said Colllngeford.
81 was going to say, But what naked
languageP Perhaps it is one of those
truths one shrinks from because II
starts In by slapping ones face. Any
way, even II it is a truth, it's horrid,
IL hurts a woman to be fOrgotten.r