The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-05-09
CHAPTER xVii-Continued.

II think you can understand" said
K. rather YEARLY, that If cared less,
Christine. 1t would be easier to inter
fere."
After all. Christine had known this,
or surmised it, for weeks. But 1t hurt
like fresh stab in an old wound. 1t
was X. who spoke again after pause:
'"The deadly hard Thing, of course, Is
20 sit by and see things happening that
one-that one would naturally try to
prevent"
Il don't believe that you have al
ways been of those who only stand and
wait" said Christine Sometime, K,
when you know me better and like me,
better, want you to tell me about it,
will your
There's very little TO tell. I held
"A trust. When | discovered that /
was unfit to hold that trust any longer,
quit. That's ALL
Els tone of finality closed the discus
sion. But Christine's eyes were on
him often that evening, puzzled, rather
sad.
They talked of books, of music
Christine played well in a dashing way.
X. had brought her soft, tender little
things. and had stood over her until
her noisy touch became gentle. She
played for him a little, while he sat
back In the big chair with his hand
screening his eyes.
When, at last, he rose and picked
up his cap, it was nine o'clock.
1--WE taken your whole evening"" he
said remorsefully. 'Why don't you
tell me / am nuisance and send me
Off"
Christine was still at the piano, her
hands on the keys. She spoke with
out looking at him:
you're never q nuisance, K, and"
Something in her tone eight his at
$ention.
II forgot to tell you," she went on.
Father has given Palmer five thou
sand dollars. He's going to buy
share in business"
''That's fine"
POSSIBLY. 1 don't believe much in
Palmer's business ventures"
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
meath 1t he OWNED strain and repres-
sion.
81 hate to go and leave you alone"
he said at last from the door. "Have
you any idea when Palmer will be
Oack?"
mot the slightest K, viii you come
here a moment? Stand behind me; I
don't want to see you, and want to
tell you something"
He did as she babe him, rather pus-
zled.
Here I am"
81 think am fool for saying this.
Perhaps / am spelling the only chance
have to get any happiness out of life.
But l was terribly unhappy, K, and
then you came into my life, and l.
now | listen for your step in the hall.
can't be hypocrite any longer, K"
When he stood behind her, silent and
not moving, she turned slowly about
and faced him. He lowered there In
the little room, grave eyes on hers.
Its long time since have had a
woman friend, Christine" he said So
Derly. "Your friendship has meant a
good deal. In good many ways, I'd
not care TO look ahead if 1t were not
for you. / value our friendship so
much that l."
'That you don't want to spoil it."
she finished for him. II know you
don't care for me, K, not the way L
But wanted you to know. 1t doesn't
hurt good man TO know such
thing. And it-isn't going TO stop your
coming here. is it?'
'Of course not" said f. heartily.
But tomorrow, when we are both
clear-headed, we will talk this over.
You are mistaken about this thing,
Christine; am sure of that. Things
have not been going well, and just be-
cause am always around, and all that
sort OF thing, You think things that
aren't really so. I'm only reaction,
Christine"
He tried TO make her smile up at
MIn. But just then she could not
smile.
II she had cried, things might have
been different for everyone: for per-
haps K. would have taken her In his
arms. He was heart-hungry enough,
those days, for anything. And per-
haps, too, being intuitive, Christine
felt this. But she had no mind to
force him into a situation against his
VIII.
1T is because you are good she
said, and held out her hand. Good
night"
lie Moyne took it and bent over and
kissed it lightly. There was in the
kiss all that he could not say of re-
spect, of affection and understanding.
Goodnight, Christine" he said, and
went into the hall and upstairs.