Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1916-11-16

have come" ahe said, and then paused.
Her eyes wavered. Was she glad he
had Gomez
Collingeford caught her mood. "Just
what do you mean BY thatf' he asked
gravely.
Alix' eyes came back to his face.
I'll don't know" she stammered.
They sat down. Collingeford dropped
his hat and stick and leaned for
ward. A dull color burned in his
cheeks. "Alix," he said. ''has-has
anything happenedr
NO." said Alix, mot what you
mean. Gerry il alive. He has writ
ten. He says he 10 coming back
some time"
Collingeford sprang to his feet, his
eyes flashing.
"Some time!' Did he really write
that? Some timer
There was q petulant look about
Alix' mouth that belonged to an AK
of long ago. She tried to shake 1t OF
with her mood. mo" she said duly.
after a pause. HE didn't write just
that but 1t amounts to the same thing.
he wrote but he has not come"
Collingeford paced up and down the
little veranda, his arms crossed and
one hand pulling nervously at his mus
tache. He came to stop before Alix
and stood looking down at her, his
eyes eager but questioning. "Well?"
he said.
AK made a little gesture Of despair
with her two hands. al don't know"
she repeated. Then, quite quietly, she
began to cry.
Collingeford caught her hands and
drew her to her feet. He put his arms
around her. She laid her head against
his shoulder and sobbed. Collinge-
ford's heart was beating furiously.
His arms trembled. He longed to
strain her to him, but he only held her
firmly and patted her back. Some in
stinct told him that this was not the
moment Of possession.
When ak could talk he knew that
his instinct was true. "Oh." she said,
what little beast am! Unfair to
you, unfair to myself"
She disengaged herself and sat
down. With q tiny square Of cambria
she dabbed at her eyes.
Here" said Collingeford. and held
out big, fresh handkerchief.
Alix took it and used it solemnly.
Then its bulk struck q sudden note
Of humor. She laughed and Collinge-
ford smiled. AS he gave back the hand
kerchief she pressed Collingeford's
hand. II have been a little beast"
NO." said Collingeford gravely.
you have been unspeakably lovable."
ut would have been that If l loved
you. But 1 don't. That's why I've
been beast. To make you think"
Collingeford Interrupted her. you
made me think nothing. Somehow I
knew. I knew it was just loneliness
running over from a full heart"
Alix nodded. "How wonderful Of
you to understand" she said. Lone
ly. Yes. I've been terribly lonely.
Never before SO lonely"
you shall not be lonely any more"
said Collingeford. every day I'll
come and talk to you. take you out
anything. I'm yours"
r Alix shook her head from side to
side. Her eyes refused him.
"Alix," cried Collingeford, hurt,
don't you want me even for friends"
Don't mistake what I'm going to
say, will your" said Alix.
Collingeford shook his head.
Gerry is coming back" went on
AK, "but-I don't know what he is
bringing back. Perhaps 1t is some
thing he can't share with me; perhaps
1t is something do not want When
you went away had only faith; now
have only debt. Such big doubt.
That's why rbaid to you, 4 don't
know And while don't know I will
not have you even for a friend" Alix
flushed and fxed her eyes on Collinge-
ford's face. "Do you understand"
Collingeford's eyes were glowing.
"Yes," he said, II think I do. You
mean that perhaps-later on-you will
send for me-"
"Perhaps-only perhaps" whispered
Alix.
Collingeford picked up his hat and
stick. He took Alix' hand and held it
long. She would not look up. He
stopped and kissed her fingers.
II shall be waiting" he said.