The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-06-21

paper - ''o'. ave.
In the half light of an October eve
ming the room was charming To the
man coming from the frosty outside
air il vas full of luxurious comfort.
The man paused an instant his eyes
taking in every familiar detail, then
they rested upon the woman standing
before the open fire.
The fates are indeed kind" She
said as he advanced toward her. /
was beginning to think myself for
gotten"
Never that" he answered. a smile
lighting his face. Think it the eXigen-
cies Of business. anything. but not
that"
A. he smoke he pushed an easy chair
nearer the fire and sank into it with
sigh of content. Il have lost much.
know You. who have ii always. cannot
appreciate the charm, the delight OF
such room as this to a weary man.
II is ALWAYS before me as a haven Of
rest and has so tautalized me this day
that | was forced to yield to my mood
although nv desk is piled high with
unfinished work"
Il am glad il was So" she answered
cordially. "Of nv many friends. your
presence is the most acceptable"
Are YOU not mistaken he ques-
toned grayelv. 1t has seemed to me
that | have lately been on the outside.
81, IN, .
face and said. Thus far, but no far
Their"
She dropned her fan and looked AT
him in silence. Then she said gently
Your voice sounds angry. Are you
irving to provoke a quarrel? DO not.
will not quarrel with YOU"
"Then why do YOU always fence with
me-" he asked impatiently 1t has
been this wav for months past, but it
Is unlike YOU. | value our friendship.
The privilege of coming and going as /
willed has for years been my chief
Measure. But this rift within the lutte
that Won will not explain away leaves
me stranded Our old-time friendship
is gone"
.Relieye me. have been most unfor.
tunate il nv manner has conveyed
sucb an impression." she said slowly
lack with a swift glance into his
|, gloomy face. for how long have We
been friendso"
For more wears than | care to re
member" he responded promptly.
Quietly she watched him. but there
, was a nervous tremble to her lips near
or to tears than laughter.
Il have been a fool" he exclaimed
abruntlv
, She let the accusation pass in 81
: lence.
And q coward"
You are beginning to see how un
reasonable you are?" she asked as she
, raised her fan to hide a smile.
, NO. On that point my opinion 1;
, unchanged. was thinking of the lone
illness of my life. The friendship or
my side has always been make believe
for | love you, Margaret | think
I. have always loved you. 1t is com
, monplace way of putting it, but then
> am commonplace man. would have
, told you long ago, but l was afrait
. that my dong so would END every
\ thing.
2 Il think you should also add cruel
} and selfish The words would be ap
7 plicable," she replied with hardly con
: cealed bitterness.
The years bad risen in flash before
r her: years in which she had trained
l herself in the difficult art OF friendship
when her heart was crying agains
t such dlsslmulation.
9 something IN her voice again al
}. tracted his attention, but her lace wa
Q still III the shadow.
:, i am in an unlucky humor this al
; ternoon else | would not have JeopaT
died my greatest pleasure VIII yo'
forget II ana let me come as hereto
l. fore!
n Forget it? No. She replied witt
deliberation. Il see no reason TO
/ changing the habit Of years because
mood forced confession from you.
J. well understand 1t was not volun
l. tary.
You anger me. 1t IS you VINO VII