The herald., 1919-12-18
15e
Soul Kiss
oo
By GENEVIEvE ULMAR
Copyright, 1913. BY the Western News.
paper Union)

NlUe, SpOhc AuI IAN L CuANS' AN-
eating his floor to the elevator con-
ductor
Eight, please" supplemented
mischiefeyed girl at his side. she
had once done stenographic work for
the young lawyer and they were on
pleasant speaking terms. She empha-
sized the please" and Adrian recog-
nized an implied reproach, but he
spoke. low enough for the conductor
to hear.
81 said please in my heart, Miss
Adams, feeling duly grateful for the
willing and pleasant service we all
receive on the cars in this building.
Do you know that l shake hands In
spirit with every smiling person l
meet? AS upon any little tot who
looks at me 1 bestow a mental hug
and it brightens my day."
"And l am so far from babyhood!"
mourned Myra Adams daringly, ana
left at her floor with a bewitching,
though flirtatlous laugh.
1t was that evening that Myra men
toned Adrian to her closest friend,
Adele Bartlett. There was wide
gap socially between the two girls, for
Adele was an heiress, but their moth
ers had been close friends in their
youth. Adele, sedate and lovely, for
both her parents were dead, was very
fond of her less fortune favored
friend, whose bright free ways showed
happy spirit under all circumstances.
"The only fault with Mr.. Pearce,"
observed Myra, ais that he doesn't in
the least know what flirting means. 1
think he is the finest gentleman ever
met. He has very little business, for
they say he will never take a case
unless his client is absolutely in the
right. He Is the soul Of goodness and
never seems to begrudge his services
for the poor and distressed. He got
me my present position"
"He must, indeed, be a model man"
said Adele.
"You should know him, Adele" de-
clared Myra; 'yOu must know him.
Somehow he is Just your kinda great
thinker and so original. All he seems
to care for Is exertipg a good influ-
ence."
But Adrian Pearce was neither I'M
canny nor an eccentric. There had
been born In him a purity Of impulse
and thought that distinguished him
from ordinary men. He was intuitive-
~ humane and law was to him justice
sheer and simple. He was invited to
the Bartlett house by Myra during a
social function and there was a
dreamy, satisfied expression in Adele's
eyes after he had. left.
Adele's fair cheeks paled and her lips
tremored as Myra said one day: "Mr.
Pearce Is about to give up his office
on account of improbable practice
and Is going to South America VITA
some great railroad project" and
when Adrian called that evening
Adele found 1t difficult to conceal her
vivid emotions. AS he held her hand
at parting his words bore an under
tone of sadness. 81 shall miss you
greatly, Miss Bartlett" he said. Il
shall not cease to think Of you always.
If succeed 1 shall return"
"Oh, 1 so hope you will" spoke
Adele fervently, and his eyes light
ened and expressed emotions that
caused her to thrill and culver. She
sat alone after he had left, unable to
cast off the spell his coming had
evoked. In a dreamy mood akin to
half somnolence she suddenly started
up. To her overstrained senses it
seemed as though an impalpable pres
ence had entered the room and that
she felt soft caressing pressure upon
her lips. She flushed and palpitated.
Had this mysterious man in whom she
was so interested, who sent his
thoughts out after others to console,
to cheer, waited to her true "soul
kiss"
A new life was born in her. She
arose, ordered her automobile and fol-
lowed out an urgent impulse. Only q
few days before a friend, Mrs.
Wynne. widow, had told her Of a just
claim for a large amount she had
against the wealthy former partner Of
her dead husband but had not the
means to prosecute it. For hours
Adele was closeted with this lady.
Adrian Pearce did not give up his
office. There came to him the next
day the widow friend Of Adele. He
had no knowledge of their mutual &C
quaintanceship. The case was placed
in his hands and its merit involving
just claim aroused his truest inter
est and attention. He won the case
and was the recipient Of a large fee
besides acquiring fixed professional
prestige.
1t was few days after that when
he entered his Office to hear voices In
the inner room. Mrs. Wynne was
there, and Adele. He heard the lat
ter say:
Il must hurry away, for If Mr..
Pearce met me here with you he
might suspect"-and just there she
came face to face with the young law.
yer and flushed crimson.
II overheard you, Miss Bartlett"
spoke Adrian gravely. gently. You
sent me this client and financed the
case. / am glad l can repay you, but