Middletown transcript., 1917-02-17
CHAPTER xvll-Continued.

-If-
81 think you can understand" said
X. 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. 1t
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"
81 don't believe that you have al
ways been of those who only stand and
wait" said Christine. Sometime, H.,
when you know me better and like me
better, l want you to tell me about it,
will yOu?"
"There's very little to tell. l held
trust When l discovered that L
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 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.
"Tve taken your whole evening" he
said remorsefully. "Why don't you
tell me 1 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 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 a
share in business"
''That's fine."
POSSIBLY. 1 don't believe much In
palmerS business ventures.
Her flat tone still held him. Under
meath if 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;
don't want to see you, and l want tt
tell you something"
He did as she bade him, rather puz
zled.
Here am"
81 think 1 am d fool for saying this
Perhaps l am spelling the only chanc
1 have to get any happiness out OF life
But | was terribly unhappy, f., am
then YOU came into my life, and i
now l listen for your step in the hal
/ can't be hypocrite any longer, X.
When he stood behind her, silent an
not moving, she turned slowly abou
and faced him. He lowered there i
the little room, grave eyes on hers.
sIt's long time since l have had
woman friend, Christine" he said 81
berly. "Your friendship has meant
good deal. In a good many ways, L
not care to look ahead if it were M
for you. 1 value our friendship
much that L"
.That you don't want to spoil it
she finished for him. Il know yo
don't care for me, X, not the way L
But I wanted you to know. 1t doesn
hurt good man to know such
thing. And it-isn't going to stop yol
coming here, is it?"
"Of course not" said K. hearth
"But tomorrow, when we are bO
clear-headed, we will talk this owe
You are mistaken about this thin
Christine; 1 am sure of that. Thini
have not been going well, and just b
cause am always around, and all tn
sort of thing you think things tn
aren't really so. I'm only reactio
Christine"
He tried to make her smile up
him. But just then she could n
smile.
If she had cried, things might ha
Deen QlHerenL IOr everyone, IoT pe
haps i. would have taken her in h
arms. He was heart-hungry enoug
those days, for anything. And pt
haps, too, being intuitive, Christi
felt this But she had no mind
force him into a situation against /
will.
ut is because you are good" s
said, and held out her hand. "Goo
night"
LIE Moyne took it and bent over a.
kissed it lightly. There was In t
kiss all that he could not say of ]
snact of affection and UNDERESTIMATE