New-York tribune., 1922-10-22
s STRATEGEM
OF LOVE
.sy JEAN BERTHERoY
..,lsfsd By William L. Mcpherson

4
~ gods, the primitive force of the world,
..s that he has taken on this boyisf appear
~ the better to accomplish his ends.
fgaire Vignal, at twenty-five, was still ieno.
i Of the deadly surprises which Love has in
8 ouiyer. She knew only his amazing mas
s. She loved with touching ingenuousness
men whom chance had thrown in her wav
"A 10 whom she was attracted from the be-
.rn;ne. For three years she lived in the full
.orAdence Of a returned affection. But one
F. s.v she noticed that he TO whom she had given
bar heart no longer looked at her with loving
sves What was the matter? She questioned
him:
"p;erre, what is the trouble? Have ceased
TO please you -
He answered evasively and fed before her
paiaful opportunities.
Then she had suffered in silence. renounc.
I ng complaints, so as not to estrange still fur
ther her inconstant admirer.
! Claire had friend, little older than she
: md little more beautiful This friend, whose
name was Paula, had penchant for celibacv
ind kept her life as free as possible from SEN
tnsntai complications. She was sort of
yaiosopher, after the manner of the amiable
thenian women os Socrates's day, who refused
II sIlow themselves to be governed by passion.
Fs she happy? Claire asked herself that
snetimes. AT least Paula presented every
! prarance of perfect serenity. Wisdom
ssnsd to have an abiding place in her proud
Ed delicate little head, which she carried
Mssd back. as if to avoid earthly effluvia Sne
uHsd among other restless human beings
1Acut seeming to share their inouietudes.
! Msertheless she must be compassionate, and
] tare said to herself that this friend, SO full
dtharn,, could possibly aid her in recovering
M lost happiness.
She called on her one morning. It was nee
sary to confide her distress to some one.
: Paula listened to the condolences of the for
ahn one without showing the least feeling
sWhat are you going to do about it?" she
sssd, when Claire ended her story and hid
4 lg face in her hands
i don't know. Or, rather I have but one
ks left. 1t is that you, so perfect, SO supe-
! is to other women, will come to my assist
saap
sHm9'
By speaking to pierre--by painting him
pAssof my state of desolation. He is sensi-
be Mwill listen to you. He will appreciate
Mhs safering which he has caused me-un-
! Intentionally, perhaps &1@
| Paula smiled. But there was nothing con
! aerndng in her smile. 1t displayed the
taquil GOODNESS of reason which could not
ksself be conquered. 1t betrayed also dis
kN i'll such puerile methods of reawakening
M
\ implore you," Claire repeated, bursting
hu tears. Don't refuse me. Give me this
apof of your friendship. Tell Pierre that |
shall die if he doesn't remain constant to me-
her visitors fearful face:
Il am willing to try. Bus don't share your
confidence Send the faithless one to me. l
will do my best to be eloquent. If dent sue
esed you must not hold it against me-
They kissed each other. Feminine solidarity
brought them together for this passing mo-
msnt
HE will not come" the young philosopher
said to herself ale will not fall into this trap
He will fear the lecture in store for him.
But he did come. Was it curiosity? The
"ssaSesioi VI the ullkIlOWn. S6SflicQ GlllUdl-
raised, and that embarrassment, revealing
his modesty, excited sympathy from the start.
Paula did not shake hands with him. but made
! him sit down in low chair, facing ner. Pres
snty, taking up her unwelcome duty she be-
gan to discourse on love. She examined the
sernal problem and asked how man could be
ahard-hearted, so coldly perverse, as to with
uw his affection from an innocent creature
VITO feel no remorse for the suffering which
Asused her.
arre, little upset, attempted to excuse
4 Aelf:
4 did not withdraw my Affection, he ex-
Amed My will did not figure at all in this
4ul accident. My heart does not belong to
mother. 1t is empty and desolate. I, too,
aaer but in another way, don't you under
sshds | suffer because of this blasted love,
uisd up like fruit which the sun has with
ae0 on the branch before it could fail. What
~ ~ 40 about it? Is there a remedy? don't
saaK SO. You talk to me of pity. Can pity
substitute for love? In the case of
'0nah, yes, perhaps; for a woman, when she
~. s.s remains always little maternal. But
'aa men it is different. Pity counts for moth
i = N our changing passions You know that
4 ldos N0'Sie's Ni'o"
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