Middletown transcript., 1916-04-22
Copyright By The Century Company

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 a warm afternoon after all-al-
most warm enough to sit down. They
tried it. Collingeford sat half turned
on the bench and devoured Allx with
his eyes. And just as he was going to
say q 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 US. ''
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 1 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 n good
old word that stands for trustworthy,
sincere. truthful and all tie other ad-
jectives that fit straight riding"
Speaking of riding. Mr.. CoIlinge-
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 Allx. Don't do that,
l mean. You'll break your stick and
it's the one / 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
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
mot to feel what he was gong
through. 81 like your Honest Alix,"
she said, after a pause, land I'm go
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 would turn to
quicker than to you" COIlingefOrd
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 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.
lence. 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 l could ever love the
bearer of i'll tidings."
COllingeford flushed, this time with
shame. NO, of course not" he STAN
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. l do
not mean that a woman can love but
once-not necessarily. But l 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.
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. Il shall go 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 woman's memory in sweat.
Good old Bod! wonder where shall
find him."
oh" said Alix, 'it It's Bodsky's.
one mustn't quarrel with 1t simply be-
cause it is ugly. But"
"But what?" said CollingefOrd.
Il was going TO say. But what naked
language" 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" lie
said and stopped before an uptown
ticket agency. do you mind?" he
asked. with wave of his hand. They
went in and lie bought a passage for
England. lie was to sail the following
afternoon. He looked so glum over 1t
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 his 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 a night. He helped