The citizen., 1920-07-01

though turned back to inquire into the
cause OF Hilliard's and Angela's delay,
were standing.
He could not tell, OF course, whether
they had actually seen him. II was
possible that In the dnsk OF the hall
way he had escaped; certainly there
was nothing In the manner OF any one
OF the three. when Hllliard Joined
them. TO convince him one way or the
other. But he knew that he was In a
critical situation; he knew that to any
reasonable person who had seen him
at that spontaneous little outburst OF
sentiment. his motives wouldn't appear
to be very Opaque.
No. the manner Of those three who
had stood on the threshold was aston
ishingly casual Perhaps too casual.
Hilliard frowned, and tried to
glimpse their various expressions. All !
wnring. stridlng stiitedly ahead, had
thunderclouds on his forehead. and as
for Carol
She turned to speak to Armstrong,
and HIlliard knew.
For the remainder OF the first stage
OF that walk. he spoke not a word to
Angela. who trudged along by his side
with God knows what tumults In her
bosom. He thought not Of Angela. nor
concerned himself with the storm he
had stirred within her. He was alb
sorbed solely with the puzzle which
lay before him, which was to 1etach
Carol as soon as possible. and TO ex-
plain himself. Otherwise. his reputa-
tion was ashes even now.
And. to his unbounded Joy, the op-
portunity came seon--at the end Of
the .pad. where the party halted for Q
moment TO take referendum as TO
the route. Armstrong strayed q yard
or two too far. and on the instant Hill
Hard was at Carols elbow. She said
nothing. nor did he; but when the
march was resumed. he was beside her
and beating his brains for an intro
ductory remark. He had to convince
her he had been trifiing with neither
herself nor Angela. and he walked q
good furlong before he could devise 10
much as an opening sentence. At
length he cleared his throat.
tive Just decided" he said. that
I'm growing old"
"Yesr She was immeasurably sweet
and distant. and Hilliard's courage
faltered.
Il have indeed. I've made a most
fauching dlS~nx.ry ~ n lo.L
grsndfatheriy. Miss Durantr
mo; I'D hardly say that"
He made gesture OF gratitude.
you've earned my permanent thanks
hut l am growing old. How do
know1 Didn't you ever read Leigh
Huntr
"Just a little" There was a trace
OF warmth creeping into her voice.
Hiillard held his breath:
Say I'm weary. say I'm sad;
Say that health and wealth have missed
me.
Say I'm growing old. but add
Angela kissed mel
He had spoken the lines magnifi-
Gently. with the precise humor and
psthos which 20 TO make them Inn
mortal. I'm glad she fits into the
meter" he said thoughtfully, because
can understand Just how Leigh Hunt
felt about Jennie"
"And-how do you think that was1"
very sensitive" said Hilliard. "and
perhaps a little repressed and-de-
crepit." He smiled reminiscently. II
suppose there are very few things In |
life that make a man feel more mind |
full Of his own crudity and general
worthlessness than TO have a child's
spontaneous affection" II was the
testing venture. She sooked at him
sidewise.
"More than if-if 1t weren't a
chiluf
II think so." His tone was fault
less. "A woman can make a man feel
like Romeo. but II takes a very young
girl 10 make him feel like Launcelot-
at my age"
"she IL adorable. isn't shei" His
heart Jumped at her cordial accept
ance Of his statement. "Only-she's
seventeen. Mr.. Hilllard."
II know" he said gravely. sand
hats why I'm so conscious OF my
,wn senility. Because all that beau
iful innocence and ignorance Is
ioomed. Miss Durant-who knows
hat rm not the very last person 10
see III Today. I'm only a much older
nan, some one she likes; tomorrow.
may be a man without the only
md the more she liked me. the less
he'd show II. But there's been
mighty little OF that sort OF thing for
ne In the last few years from any
'ody and l do appreciate Il. and I'm
lot ashamed OF n. either"
"No." she said. you couldn't be.
You're too human" She smiled at
lin, and he was transported at the /
roof Of her sympathy. "If were In
our place. I'd want to feel the same
'sy about IT," Z
He thanked her IN his heart. He !
ad saved both Angela and himself. q