, 1921-10-01

more rapidly. She had not been afrc.d
OF this from him. because she had AL
ways taken tho attitude toward him y.
n very dear friend and OF one who was
older. not in years. put In experiences
OF the world. for she had lived abroad
while he had gone from the u~niversit,
&c the West. which h had made his
own. in books They were both very
young.
She did not want him to say any
thing. She could only answer him In
one way. and in n way that would hurt
and give psin to them both. She had
hoped he could remain just AZ he was.
4 very dear friend, with a suggestion
sometimes In the background or his
becoming something more. She was.
OF course. too experienced to believe IL
a long p~iatonio friendship.
Uppermost In her mind was the
thought that. no matter what he urged.
she must remember that she wanted TO
be free. to live her own life, TO MI her
own sphere Of usefulness. and she must
not let him tempt her TO forget this.
She had next TO consider him. and that
she must be ard and keep him from
speaking at an: and his was very
d~ificnit. for she cared for him very
Dearly.
You do not show much interest IN
tho one thing that viii bring me back"
he said He STOKE re~proachfuliy and
yet a little haughtily. as though he had
already half suspected she had guessed
what he meant to say.
All. YOU cannot tell how long you
will be there she said. lightly. You
viii like It much more than you
think T. she stopped hopeieasiy,
and glanced. without meaning to DO so.
at the ciock-face on the mantei beside
him.
OH he said. with quick misunder-
standing. II beg your pardon. I am
keeping YOU ! forgot how late # WIS.
and you arc going out" He came
toward her as though he meant to 70.
She stood up and made a quick. i'm
patient gesture with her hands He
was making It very hard for her.
"Fancyi' abe said. "you know !
want to talk to you: what e the
dsnco matter7 Why are you SO unlike
yourself?' h went on. gently. And
1t is our last night. too"
The one OF her words seemed TO re-
assure him. for he came carer and
rested his elbow beside her on the
PIANO and said. Then you are sorry
that / anu xoinET'
She looked up at him without n sign
OF the effort II cost her. frankly and
openly. and said. Sorry? or courss ]
am sorry. ono does not have SO many
friends that ore can spare them for
long. ven TO have them grow famous.
Yea he said. slowly.F" fancy the
change win be very pleasant" He was
not thinking of his words or of how
thoughtiess they must sound He was
only anxious TO get away without
showing how deeply he was hurt. II
he had not done this: II he had let her
see how miserable he was. and tina
plays n books and such things were
nothing TO him now. and that she was
Just all there yas In the whole world
to him. It might hnve ended differently.
But he was untried, and young. SO he
buttoned the left glove with careful
scrutiny and said. They always start
those boats at such absurd hours; the
tides never seem to suit one; you havc
to go on board without breakfast, or
else stay on board the night befors.
and that's SO unpleasant Well. / hope
you viii enjoy the dance. and tell them
l was very much hurt that / wasn't
asked
He held out his hand quite steadily.
Il will write you II you will let me-
he went on. and send you word where
am as soon as I know" She took
his hand n said. "Good-by. and !
hope It will be a grand success: l
know It win. And come back soon;
and. yes. do swrite to mo. , hope you
Will have a very pleasant voyage"
He had reached the door and stopped
uncertainty at the curtains. "Thaak
you" he said: and Oh" he added.
politely. will you say Eood-by TO your
mother for me. please?'
h nodded her head and smiled and
SAID. Yes: 1 will moi forget Good
by"
1t was n month after this. sinful
t~aneously with the announcements by
cable of the instant success IN Londcn
Of "A Western Idyl," that Miss Cuyier
retired from the world she knew. and
disappeared into darkest New York
by the way Of R%ivington Street. She
had discovered n morning hat she
was not Ill nor run down nor over
taxed. but Just mentally tired OF all
things. and that what she needed was
change OF air and environment. and
unselhsh work for the good of others.
and less thought of herself. Her
mothers physician suggested 10 her.
after a secret and hasty interview
with Mrs. Cuyler. that change of air
was good. but that the air Of Rivington
Street was not of the best; and her
friends, both men and One assured
her h they appreciated her much
more than the people OF the East Side
possibly could do. and that they were
much more worthy OF her considera-
tior, and in a fair way OF Improvement
yet IL she would only continue to shins
upon ana before them. But she was
determined In her purpose. and re-
garded the College Settlement as ths
one opening and refuge for tho ener-
gies which had too long been given to