The Washington herald., 1921-06-12
By MA Y EDGLNTON

Anoo ne reuectoo nat matters
had reached the stage whom It behoevsd him
to be careful.
His carsfulnsss. however. was always man.
aSed with considerable amount Of nnssse.
It vas not in him to be what IL termed
brutal His whole fast,dious being would
have revolted at the bare suggestion. There
was nothing crude about his retreats. They
were always graceful. and came about %
naturally that they really seemed indennabis
~ such. He was already wearying q little
OF the situation. and Of 81. Asdbury. and his
hostess, and the Cathedral services. The
ianerancy was . lever. . dissass, In bis
blood He fsit himself ready to absorb some
thing new. In need ( fresh ssuss"ons The
two weeks had been very p'es-ant and ehs
little girl beside him had been Q wholly Do
hshtful companion. but-Sut-
But the thing was decidedly beginning TO
pail That was the sober truth. which there
was no blinking. Also. Mrs. simmonds-
Smith this very morning had said something
about Roberta which had seemed most alarm
insly like an attempt At probing. His sensi-
tive discretion had taken fright; valour was .
negative quantity with him Love-making.
however. with charming little Roberta was
easy; moreover. Il had become a second
the occasion now. and smooth the path OF
the announcement that he had intended to
make Of his near departure. As usual, he
expressed the love-malking more in the subtle
infection Of his well modulated voice. in the
tender pressure Of the encircling arm. than
In actual words. which bear repetition
-N-n-nothing." He Knocked very gen
tie. 20, my dear little Berta. but think
there is. You are going to tell me7-
Her pale face lay against his shoulder.
tear stained. the red lips tremuiously vibrat-
ing. He bent and kissed them. and she re-
turned his caress with an abandonment Of
passion that she showed now. poor child. for
the first time. never doubling.
With the same absolute faith she told
him. too. the wherefore of her tears. and
waited. confident.
your aunt7" he repeated lightly. what
an absurd idea Of hers. wasnt7 As
there was any possible harm in what has
been to me at least. a wholly pleasant and
delightful friendship. And / hope It has
been 50 to you. too dearest sweetest little
girl
-H-h-has been!- she stammered start.
ing.
why Of course" he said kindly, all de-
nghtful things come to an end. don't they!
That's part Of the jest Of that abominable
old cynic. Fate. Ny delightful time must
come to an end now. very shortly. fear.
for I-I-er shall have to leave St Medbury
tomorrow. Family business, and all sorts
Of perfectly rotten affairs TO see TO. the mat
ter is worrying me Lady Fsraday had
e to come home to talk matters over with
her"
Roberta was looking at him. ,stounded.
white faced.
-B-b-but,- she stanmered you'll
c@come back"
He sighed deeply.
All, when, I wonder!" he said pensively.
One never knows. OF one thing I'm Ger.
to charming quaint old ST. Medbury. and the
happy fortnighSTve spent here-or is it
Yes, declare, it will be nearly three weeks
tomorrow, Time flies so. under perfect CON
ditions. when one is absolutely and ideally
happy. as I own have been. One loses all
count OF it Your aunt has been most kind.
really. in letting me extend q sort of week
end visit into q regular visitation. No.
shall never forget II, this delightful fortnight,
and my dear nttle-friend. Even II we were
destined never to meet again-ons never
knows-"
what? What? whatf~ she almost
walled. She had pulled herself away from
his arm, and was staring At him. her eyes
amaze. which she made no attempt 70 con-
eeal. In a moment there flashed back upon
her consciousness disconnected phrases Of
her aunt's: phrases culled from q shrevd
worldly wisdom denied to babes such as she,
phrases that. in her blindness, she raved At,
spurning them" that abominable thing
male nirt-a Irritation on either
side-all the easier to fool poor little
what do you mean?- she breathed rather
than spoke.
My dear little GIRL" he said. biting his
Lip in vexed anticipation Of a scene" that
would Be really abhorrent to % sensitive
! nature ~ his :" what should I meant What
b there In what have said to call for this
attitude? You surely-er-
have not otmisinterpreted-misunderstood-
o. pray get up, I really eannot-
She had slipped with one Of her character