Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-09
CHAPTER I.

CHATTER 1.
TONY ADMINISTRATIONS,
You KNoW!"
The man who had taken shelter in
the stone pavilion hesitated before
taking q place on the curved bench
before him. He had the air Of awaits
ing some sign of welcome or dismissal
from the seats occupants; receiving
none, he sat down and turned his gaze
toward the broad Drive, where peo-
pie We're scattering before the sudden
furry of rain. 1t suggested spring
rather than autumn, this shower that
had swept out of a wind-blown cloud
and was already passing.
After a moment he drew q cigar
case from his pocket, then paused.
Obviously, he was not familiar with
the etiquette Of the public parks, with
their freedom and lack Of formalities.
He was beside a woman-a girl. He
had no wish to be inconsiderate, yet.
to speak-in suspicious. sardonic New
ton, or a Irritation. Still
May I smoke?" he suddenly and
b%rusquely shot his question.
The girl turned towards him. Her
eyes we're as gray as the rain; heavily
Swallowed by their lashes. their ex-
preston a a misted aloofneS suG-
costing thoughts hastily recalled from,
remote distances. He realised that
he might have come, smoked. and
more than a blowing leaf. She was
no a beauty. but he liked the clear
ing frankness of the glance with
which h Judged him, and judged
Alright. He liked it. too, that she did
not smile, n hat her steadfast re-
gard showed neither invitation nor
hostility.
Thank you," she answered. please
The form Of her reply seemed to
him peculiarly gracious and unexpect-
I'd, as il she gave with both hands in
stead of doing out the merely neces-
sary. He never had known a woman
who gave: they always took, in his
experience: Cnconsciously he lifted
his hat in acknowledgment Of the tone
rather than the permission. That
was all, of course. She returned to
her study of river and sky. while he
drew out his cigar. But afterward he
looked at her, un%obtrusively.
n was dressed altogether in
black, but not the black Of mourning.
ne judged. The costume, plain but
not shabby. conventional without be-
ing up-to-date. touched him with q
vague sense of familiarity. yet escaped
recognition. It should rave told him
something of her, but it did not, ex-
cept that she had not much money for
frocks. He was only slightly inter
ested; he might not have glanced her
way again if he had not been struck
by her rapt absorption in the sunset
panorama before them. She had
gone back to that place of thought
from which his speech had called her;
Withdrawn from all around her as one
who goes into a secret room and
closes a door against the world. And
she looked happy, or at least serenely
at peace with her dreams. The man
sighed with envious impotence, striv-
ing to follow her gaze and share the
enchantment.
The enchantment was not for him.
The brief storm had left tumbled
masses of purple cloud hanging in the
deep-rose tinted sky, in airy mockery
n imitation Of the purplish wall of
n Palisades standing knee-deep in
the rosy waters of the Hudson: Along
the crest Of the great rock walls
lights blossomed like flowers through
the violet mist, at the walls base
half-seen buildings flashed with light
ed windows He saw that it was all
very pretty, but he had seen it so a
hundred times without especial emo
ton.
His cigar was finished, yet the girl
fore, he spoke to, her, as he moved
to leave.
What are you looking att" he de-
manded. "Oh, I'm not trying to be
impertinent-I would like to know
whaty you see worth while? You have
not moved for half an hour. I wish
you could show me, something worth
that
Again she turned and . considered
young face bore the scrutiny; she an
swered him.
81 am seeing all the things 1 have
not got"
over there?"
She yielded his lack Of imagination.
well, yes; over there. Don't you
know it is always Faeryland-the
place over there?"
1T is only jersey"
She corrected him. |
The place out of reach. The place
between which and ourselves. flows q
river. or rises a cliff. One can i'm
agine anything to be there. See that
grim. unreal castle, there In the
shadows, its windows all cleaning
with light from within. Well. 1t is a !
factory where they make soap-pow-
der, but from here I can see. Fair
Rosamond leaning from it's arched !
windows, il l choose, or armored and !
plumed knights riding into its gates."!
obi" Disappointment made the ,
exclamation ~listlees. "Story-making,
You were? 1 am afraid 4 can't see
that way. thank you; I haven't the
head for it."
For the first time she smiled, with
a warm lighting of her rain-gray
eyes and a Madonna-like' protective
ness of expression. He felt as distinct
an impression as II she had laid her
hand on his arm with an actual touch
of sympathy.
But I do not see that way, either"
she explained. THAT was an illustra-
ton. 1 mean that one can make pic
lures there Of all the real things that
are not real for ones self; at least,
not yet real; II is . Fame to play, I
II do not understand"
h made a gesture OF resignation,
and was mute. He comprehended
that confidence would 60 no farther.
Thank you" he accepted tho re-
buke. 1T was good Of you to put up
With my curiosity and-not to misun-
derstand my speaking"
"Oh, mol! hats to misundsrstand,
ever; it II SO stupid
Although he had risen, he did not
go at ono The evening colors fad
ed, first from river, then from sky.
With autnnan's audiences, dusk swept