The Washington times., 1920-07-24
tContiaaed from Yesterday

80 Nhc ohiy "eS -
any woman. know my sex
You're a typical man, entirely de-
pendent on logic and reason-or
think you are. All men think they
are. But logic and reason are OF
no use in dealing with us unless
you have our affections, too. Good
by l do like you. III come again
Alone in the quiet house. with
his memories for companions. the
J young fellow tried to face the fa-
ture-tTied to learn to endure the
staggering blow which his fathers
death had dealt him-stroye reso-
lutely to shake OFF the stunned in
difference, the apathy through
which he seemed to see the world
as through a fog.
Gradually, as the black winter
months passed. and as he took up
his work again and pegged away
at II, the inevitable necessity for
distraction developed, until at last
the deadly Stiffness OF the house
became unendurable, driving him
out once more into the world OF liv-
ing men.
So the winter days dragged, and
the young fellow faced them alone
In the sad. familiar places where,
but yesterday. he had moved and
talked with his only and best be-
loved
Perhaps IL was easier that way.
He had his memories to himself.
sharing none. But he did not share
his sorrow, either. And that is a
thing that undermines.
Ar first he WaS afraid that n
would be even harder for him when
Stephanie returned at Easter. The
girl arrived in her heavy mourning,
and he met her at the station. as
his father used to meet him.
She lifted her rather pale face and
passively received her kiss, but held
tightly to his arm as they turned
away together through the hurry
ing crowds OF strangers.
Each one tried very hard to find
something cheerful to talk about:
but little by little their narratives
concerning the intervening days of
absence became spiritless and per-
fun"tory.
The car swung into the familiar
street and drew up before the
house; Stephanie laid one hand on
Jim's arm. stepped out to the side
walk. and ran up the steps, ami
mated for moment with the
natural eagerness for home. But
when old Meacham silently opened
the door and gaze met his:
"Oh-Meacham," she faltered. and
her gray eyes filled.
However, she felt her obligations
toward Jim: and they both made
the effort. at dinner, and afterward
in the 1ihrary fighting To Keen
appearances.
But silence, lurking near, crept in
upon them, living intruder whose
steady pressure gradually prevailed,
leaving them pondering there under
the subdued lamplight, motionless
in the depths of their respective
armchairs, until endurance seemed
no longer possible-and speech no
longer q refuge from the ghosts of
what t-had-been. And the girl, in
her black gown, rose, came silently
over to his chair, seated herself on
the arm. and laid her pale face
against his. He put one arm around
her, meaning to let her weep there;
but withdrew it suddenly, and re-
leased himself almost roughly with
a confused sense of her delicate
fragrance clinging to him too
closely.
The movement was nervous and
Involuntary: he shot a perplexed
glance at her, still uneasily consci-
Gus of the warmth and subtle sweet
ness which had so suddenly made
of this slender girl in black some
thing unfamiliar to his sight and
touch.
Lets try to be cheerful" he NUT
tered. scarcely understanding what
he said.
1t was the first time he had ever
repulsed her or failed to respond to
her in their mutual loneliness. And
why he did it he himself did not
understand.
He left the armchair and went
and stood by the mantel, resting one
elbow on it and looking down into
the Goals; she slipped into the
depths OF the chair and lay there
looking at him.
For something in the manner OF
this man toward her had set her
thinking; and she lay there in 81
lence, watching his averted face,
deeply intent on her own thoughts,
coming to no conclusions.
Yet somehow the girl was aware
that, in that brief moment OF their
grief when she had sought comfort
in his brotherly caress and he had
offered it, then suddenly repulsed
her, a profound line of cleavage
had opened between him and her;
and that the cleft could never be
closed.
Neither seemed to be aware that
anything had happened. The girl
remained silent and thoughtful; and
he became talkative after while,
telling her OF his plans for travel.
and that he had arranged for keep
ing open the house in case she and
Miss Quest wished to spend any
time in town.
I'll write you from time to time
and keep you informed of my move
ments," he said. 1.-TWO years pass
quickly. BY the time I'm back I'll
have a profession and so will you"
She nodded.
Then" he went on, II suppose
Miss Quest had better come here
and rfve with us?"
"rm not coming back here
WHAT"
"Pm going about by myself-as
you are going-to observe and
learn"
"You wish to be foot-free"