New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-03-02
CHAPTER XVlI--Continued.

IL
81 think you can understand" sal,
X. rather YEARLY, that if | cared less
Christine, it would be easier to inter
fcrr."
After all, Christine had known this
or Surmiscd it, for weeks. But it hur
like n fresh stab in an old wound. |
was *. who spoke again after Il pause
"Thc deadly hard thing, of course, f.
TO sit by and see things happening tina
ono-ihat one would naturally try I,
prevent"
81 don't believe that you have al
ways been of those who only stand ant
wait" said Christine. "Sometimc, X.
when you know IN" better and like mt
better. | want you to tell me about it
will you?"
"There's very little to tell. | hclo
81 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 We're on
him often that evening, puzzled, rather
sad.
They talked of books, of music
Christine played well in II daShing way.
Il. had brought her soft, tender little
things. and had stood over her until
her noisy touch became gentle. She
played for him II little, while he sat
back in the big chair with his hand
screening his eyes.
When, at last, he rose and picked
up his zap, il was nine o'clock.
i've taken your whole evening" he
said remorsefully. "Why don't you
tell me | am a nuisance and scnd me
off,"
Christine was still at the piano, her
hands on the keys. She spoke with
out looking at him:
you're never II nuisance, X, 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 IL business"
'That's fine
"Possibly. | don't believe much in
palmcr'S business ventureS.'
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
meath it he OWNED strain and repres-
sion.
- hare &c 20 and leave you alone,'
h.. epid n last from the door. "IIave
you any idea when Palmer will be
back?"
aN'At fI,n cliHhtAGt Il will won nA,,
here II moment? Stand behind me; |
don't want to see you, and | want to
tell you something"
He did as she babe him, rather puz-
zled.
Here I am"
81 think | am n fool for saying this.
Perhaps | am spelling the only chance
1 have to get any happiness out of life.
But | was terribly unhappy, H., and
then you came into my life, and L
now | listen for your step in the hall.
i can't he "A hypocrlte any longer, X"
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 n long time since I have had Il
oma friend, Christine,' he said So
berIy. Your friendship has meant IA
not care to look ahead if it were not
for you. I value our friendship so
much that I"
THAT you don't want to spoil it,"
she finished for him. 81 know you
don't care for me, X, not the way /
But wanted you to know. 1t doesn't
hurt Il good man to know such n
ihins. And it-isn't going to stop your
coming here, is it?"
"Of course not" said X. heartily.
tomorrow, when we are both
clear-headed, we will talk this over.
are mistaken about this thing.
Christine; | am sure of that. Things
not been going well, and just be-
cause l am always around, and all that
sort of thing, you think things that
really 50. I'm only d reaction,
He tried to make her smile up at
him. But just hen she could not
smile.
If she had cried, things might have
been different for everyone; for per-
haps X. 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
him into q situation against his
will.
ut is because you are good" she
'aid, and held out her hand. "Good-
LIE Moyne took it and bent over and
kissed 1t lightly. There was in the
Kiss all that he could not say of re-
Ipect, of affection and understanding.
Goodnight, Christine" he said, and t
rent into the hall and upstairs.