The midland journal., 1917-04-13
CHAPTER xVII-continued.

IL
81 think you can understand" said
K. rather wearily, "that if cared less,
Christine, it would be easier to inter-
fere."
After all, Christine had known this,
or surmised it, for weeks. But it hurt
like fresh stab in an old wound. It
was X. who spoke again after pause:
''The deadly hard thing, of course, is
to sit by and see things happening that
one-that one would naturally try to
prevent"
II don't believe that you have al
ways been of those who only stand and
wait" said Christine. Sometime, X,
when you know me better and like me
better, I want you to tell me about it,
will youY
"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"
His 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.
K. had brought her soft, tender little
things, and had stood over her until
her noisy touch became gentle. She
played for him 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.
'Tve taken your whole evening"" he
said remorsefully. "Why don't you
tell me am nuisance and send me
offY'
Christine was still at the piano, her
hands on the keys. She spoke with
out looking at him:
you're never nuisance, K, and"
Something in her tone caught his at
eention.
II forgot to tell you," she went on.
''Father has given Palmer five thou
sand dollars. He's going to buy a
share In a business"
"That's fine."
POSSIBLY. don't believe much in
PalmerS business ventures.
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
meath 1t he OWNED strain and repres-
sion.
II hate to go and leave you alone"
he said at last from the door. Have
you any idea when Palmer will be
back?'
"Not the slightest. X, will you come
here moment? Stand behind me;
don't want to see you, and want to
tell you something"
He did as she bade him, rather puz-
zled
"Here / am"
81 think am fool for saying this.
Perhaps am spelling the only chance
have to get any happiness out of life.
But | was terribly unhappy, X, and
then you came into my life, and L
now I listen for your step in the hall.
J / can't be a hypocrite any longer, &"
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.
"It's long time since have had a
woman friend, Christine" he said So
berly. "Your friendship has meant a
good deal. In good many ways, I'd
not care to look ahead If it were not
for you. I value our friendship so
much that +"
'4That you don't want to spoil it,"
she finished for him. II know you
don't care for me, K, not the way +
} But wanted you to know. 1t doesn't
1 hurt n good man to know such a
thing. And it-isn't going to stop your
coming here, is it?"
"Of course not" said K. heartily.
TBut tomorrow, when we are both
: oaear-headed, we will talk this over.
You are mistaken about this thing,
Christine; | am sure of ttPat. 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 a reaction,
Christine
He tried to make her smile up at
him. But just then she could not
smile.
If Rhe had cried. things might have
been different for everyone; for per-