The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-03-04
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AS AliX and Collingeford left the
dining room she said, '"rhey weren't
all butterflies after all. l saw a man
and woman"
'Not really" said Coilingeford.
"Who?"
ALAN Wayne and Dora Tennel."
At Alan's name Collingeford's face
lit up with interest. "Ten Percent
Wayne, eh? Yes, you're right. He's
a man. And Dora Tennel, ex-Lady
Braeme. Yes, she's a woman too-in
way
HAS she furnished reputation?
Collingeford stopped short in his
stride and looked keenly at Alix. My
dear lady," he said. that is ques-
ton one does not put to Il man. How
ever, it doesn't embarrass me to an
swer it in this case She has not.
What on earth put it into your head 2"
II don't know" said Alix. ooh, yes
I do. remember. Someone told me
once that Alan surrounded himself
with furnished regulations"
Each followed the train of his own
thoughts until they reached the pier
Alix did not get out of the cab. She
leaned from the window and said
good-by. Collingeford held her hand
and her eyes long. then he turned
away and hurried into the elevator.
When Alix got home she sat down
and wrote note to Hlan-just line
to tell him that she was ready and
wished to see him. He came the fol.
lowing afternoon. At first he was q
little awkward, straining just the least
too much not to betray his nervous
ness. But the sight of Alix put him
at his ease. She had become true
Woman-true in the sense of honor
and she was tempered as steel. but
soft with the sOftness of motherhood.
About her there was the peace Of an
inner shrine. She drew him into it un.
hesitatingly and he suddenly felt I'M
clean just as he had felt unworthy on
that other day when he had recoiled
from Nance's loving arms around his
neck.
you're not looking very well, Alan,''
said Alix when he was seated.
mo, I'm not on the top of the wave
just now," replied Alan. "Touch OF
river fever. It's like memory-a hard
thing to shake"
I'm not trying to shake mine," said
Alix calmly. "My memories have made
me-"
"No wonder you don't quarrel with
them" said Alan in frank admira-
ton.
"Alan, when are you going to come
back? Don't you ever tire of life as q
variety show? Wouldn't you rather
have one real steady star in life than
q whole lot of furnished Hnsel onesy
Alan jumped to his feet, stuck his
hands in his coat pockets and started
walking up and down the somber
room. They were in the library. "a
steady star" he repeated. "What q
find that would be! I've raised many
star on my horizon, Alix, but the
longer l look at 'em the more they
twinkle back It's easier to down con
science than to down blood"
'In the end" said Alix, "a man
must down blood or it downs him
downs him irrctrievably. Blood un
checked is just common beast"
"Do you think don't know it?'
flashed Alan. Each day | find an
old haunt denied to me. l am i'll al
ease. My world has left yours behind
There is a pale. Behind it lies Red
Hill. Do you know 1 haven't been ia
the Hill for three years? Behind II
lies Nance, the faithfullest, most trust
ing foster-sister a waster ever had
And now you. You lie behind it and
toy with my soul through the bars"
AK sprang to her feet and laid
strong, nervous hands on Alan's shout
ders. She shook him and turned him
SO that he faced the light. Alan did
not laugh. There was fire in AK
eyes. "You little thing" she said
tensely, mot to see that the bars are
down"
He turned under her hands and she
let him go. He stood looking out OF
the window at the bare trees Ali1
watched him. "Alan, you can come to
the Hill tonight. They-we-are all
going to be together here. It's Clem's
birthday. II you can feel the pale
that's enough for me. I want you to
be with u.s."
"Alix, believe me or not, it's be.
cause feel the pale that won't come
If there's a ship sailing for the ends
Of the earth before night it shall carry
me. This big city isn't big enough to
hold all the Hill and leave me room