Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-01-25
Nv (contlnued)

lasts. And when this new love Of
yours burns itself out-you never
had the reputation Of being very
constant, dear Marie-you will
have an alien young man on your
hands, while that remarkable brain
Of yours will be demanding its field
of action. You are European, not
American-why, even your accent
is stronger than mine! That may
be due to an uncommonly suscepti'
BILE ear, but as a matter of fact
your mind has a stronger accent
still. You became thoroughly Eu,
ropeanized, one Of us, and-I say
this quite impartially-the most
statesman-like woman in Europe.
Your mind was still plastic when
you came to us-and your plastic
years are long over, ma chere. If
your mind had become as young as
your body, you would have bitterly
AZ C4lICu It, 1Ou wei dl ways very
proud of that intellect of yours
and with the best Of reasons"
Mary was staring out of the win
dow. She recalled that she had
faced the fact of the old mind in
the young brain when she first dis
covered that she loved Clavering.
How could she have forgotten
for few short weeks-and up
there? She raised her eyes
"a the mountain. From where she
sat she could not see the top. 1t
locked like an impenetrable ram
part, rising to the skies.
Can you tell me with honesty
and candor," he continued in those
same gentle tones that had always
reminded her Of limpid water run
ming over iron, and for all your
subtlety your mind Is too arrogant
and fcarles to be otherwise than
honest au fond-that you believe
you could remain satisfied with
love alone? For1more, let US say,
than a year,"
She moved restlessly, Perhaps
not. But had planned to live in
Vienna. He would spend only a
part OF the year there with me.
His own interests are here, of
course, 1t would be a perfectly
workable arrangement"
Are you sure? If you are I
must conclude that in the mental
confusion love so often induces,
YOU have lost temporarily your re-
markable powers of clear and CO.
herent thought Do you not realize
that you would no longer be Grain
zattiany, you would be Mrs. Lee
Clavering? Do you imagine for a
moment that you could play the
great role in Austrian affairs you
have set yourself. handicapped by
an American name-and an Amer
lcan husband? Not with all your
gifts, your wealth, your genius for
playing on that complex instru-
ment called human nature. Aus
tria may be a Republic Of sorts.
out it is still Austria. You would
be an American and an outsider
presumptuous interloper."
She stared at him aghast. "T-ohI
I had not thought of that 1t
seems incomprehensible-but had
never thought of myself as Mrs.
Clavering. have been Grain Eat
tiany so long,"
And your plans were we'll de-
fined, and your ambition to play a
great role on the modern European
stage possessed you utterly until
you met this young mans it not
so?"
"Ol.. yes, but"
Il understand. 1t must have been
quite a marvellous experience, after
those barren years, to feel your
self glowing with all the vitalities
of youth once more; to bring young
men to your feet with a glance and
to fancy yourself in love-"
Fancy" She interrupted him
passion ely. 81 am in love-and
more moro than I ever was with
you. Until l met him l did not
even guess that l had the capacity
to love again 1t was the last thing
wanted. Abhorrent! But
but e. he has something for
me that you-not even you-ever
had that l had given up
hope of finding long before I met
you.
She stopped, coloring and hest
tating. She had an intense desire
to make this man understand. but
she shiyered, as If her proud re-
serve were a visible garment that
she had torn off and flung at his
feet, leaving her naked to his
ironic gaze.
He was leaning forward, regard.
ing her through his yelled eyes.
Their light was not ironic, but it
was very penetrating.
ana what is that something
Marie?" he asked softly. .
"I-you know those things can.
not be put into words"
81 fancy they can. 1t Is merely
one more delusion OF the senses.
One of the imagination'st most
devilish tricks. I had 1t for you
and you for me-for a time! In the
intimacies Of either a liaison or
matrimony that supreme delusion
Is soon scattered, ma chere."
But l believe IT," She spoke
obstinately, although that brawlirg
stream seemed to take on q note