Mexico Missouri message., 1916-04-20

have come" she said, and then paused
Her eyes wavered. Was she glad he
had come?
Collingeford caught her mood. "Just
what do you mean by that?" he asked
gravely.
AliX' eyes came back to his face.
"I-I 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 happened?"
NO" said Allx, mot what you
mean. Gerry is alive. He has writ
ten. He says he is coming back
some time"
Collingeford sprang to his feet, his
eyes flashing.
Some time! Did he really write
that? Some timer"
There was a petulant look about
! Alx' mouth that belonged to an Alix
OF long ago. She tried to shake it Off
/ with her mood. "NO," she said duly,
after a pause. "He didn't write just
that but it amounts to the same thing.
, lie wrote but he has not come"
Colringeford paced up and down the
little veranda. his arms crossed and
one hand pulling nervously at his mus
tache. He came to a stop before Alix
and stood looking down at her, his
eyes eager but questioning. "WellT"
he said.
Alix made little gesture Of despair
I 1. Iny,f 1rrN NNnyf
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-
fords heart was beating furiously.
Ills 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 Alix could talk he knew that
his instinct was true. "Oh," she said,
what a little beast 1 am! Unfair to
you, unfair to myself"
she disengaged herself and sat
|
she dabbed at her eyes.
Here said Collingeford, and held
out a big. fresh handkerchief.
Alix took it and used it solemnly.
Then its bulk struck sudden note
of humor. She laughed and Collinge-
ford smiled. AS he gave back the hand
kerChief she pressed Collingeford's
| oyt
NO" said Collingeford gravely,
you have been unspeakably lovable." ."
1T would have been that If / loved
you. But 1 don't. That's why I've
been a beast. To make you think"
Collingeford interrupted her. "You
made me think nothing. Somehow l
knew. l knew 1t was just loneliness
running over from 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"
| ~AllN LCl htdNl lIOLl SluS "
side. Her eyes refused him.
"Allx." cried Collingeford, hurt,
don't you want me even for friend ~
Don't mistake what I'm going to
say. will you?" said Alix.
COllingeford shook his head.
GERRY is coming back" went on
Alix, '!but-I don't know what he is
bringing back. Perhaps it is some
thing he can't share with me: perhaps
it is something do not want. When
you went away had only faith; now
have only doubt. Such a big doubt
That's why 1 said to you, 4 don't
know And while don't know will
not have you even for friend" AliX
flushed and fixed her eyes on Collinge,
ford's face. "Do you understand"
Collingeford's eyes were glowing
yes" he said, 81 think 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 il
long She would not look up. He
stopped and kissed her fingers.
Il shall be waiting" he said.