The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-04-13
CHAPTER xVll-Continued.

II think you can understand" salt
K. rather YEARLY, "that'if I cared less
Christine, it would be easier to inter
fere"
After all, Christine had known this
or surmised 1t, for weeks. But it hurt
like a fresh stab In an old wound. Il
was X. who spoke again after pause
''The deadly hard thing, of course, is
to sit by and see things happening thai
one-that one would naturally try te
prevent"
81 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. held
q trust. When 1 discovered that
was unfit to hold that trust any longer,
I quit. That's ALL"
His tone of fnality 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 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 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.
"I've 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 a nuisance, K, and"
Something in her tone caught his at
tention.
81 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
tdllueT DuSlucSS NcHIultS.
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
Meath it 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
back?"
"Not the slightest. K, will you come
here a moment? Stand behind me; 1
don't want to see you, and want to
tell you something"
He did as she babe him, rather puz-
zled.
Here / am"
81 think 1 am fool for saying this.
Perhaps am spelling the only chance
[ have to get any happiness out Of life.
But 1 was terribly unhappy, K, and
then you came into my life, and L
now l listen for your step in the hall.
I 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 |
friend, Christine" he said So
berly. "Your friendship has meant
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 +"
'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 a good man to know such
thing. And it-isn't going to stop your
coming here, is it?"
"Of course not" said X. heartily.
But tomorrow, when we are both
we will talk this over.
You are mistaken about this thing,
Christine; am sure Of that. Things
nave not been going well, and just be-
cause am always around, and all that
sort Of thing, you think things that
trent really 50. I'm only reaction,
christine"
He tried to make her smile up at
lin. But just then she could not
mile.
II she had cried, things might have
'een different for everyone: for per-