Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-01-02
XXXVIII (eontInued)

Clavering, expecting to find her
dissolved in tears, and, violent as
his sympathy for her was, rejoicing
that his was the part to comfort
her, followed her precipitately. But
she was standing by the table with
scornful lips and eyes.
81 thought you'd be all broken
APP" he stammered. Tears of dis
appointment almost rose to his own
eyes.
She laughed shortly. a? Do
you. suppose l would pay them 50
great a compliment? Bat what a
ridiculous exhibition they made Of
themselves. 1t seems incredible"
But surely you must have been
hurt-,and stabbed. 1t isn't posi-
Bile that you weren't"
"Oh, yes, was stabbed, but I
think was even more amused l
felt sorry for the poor things. I
certainly never saw Il more conf
cally naked exhibition of human ma.
ture. 1t was worth coming 70
America for. Nor Go l blame them.
No doubt I should have felt the
same at their age-although l hope
should even then have expressed
myself in a fashion a trifle more
subtle, a little less primevala"
Good God! Are you always so
$50 rationale"
She smiled slightly. IF DELHI
eratelyr Inlearned the more valua-
BILE things long life taught me
there would be no object beyond
vanity in being young again, And
don't you suppose l was grateful
tonight for my years--those years
so crowded with training and expe-
rience? Who better prepared than
I to hold my own against a lot Of
law Americans"
THAT is the first human thing
you've said Raw? Wasn't it OAR
win who said that we are all such
a short distance, in time. removed
from our common savage ancestors
that it is a wonder we don't revert
oftener than we do? They were
plain unadulterated females. I be-
lieye men are more civilized than
women"
"oh, no, but they revert on the
grand scale. I cannot say l
was totally unprepared-not for
such a concerted and shocking ex-
hibition, of course; but I've felt
their antagonism and expected to
be dropped gradually from their
set. OF course, this is the end,
definitely. However" she shrugged
D. her shoulders again, Il have en-
joyed the New York which seems
, to have, changed in so many ways
since my day, and all dramas
should have proper curtain,
should they not? Is your own play
finished by the way"
ooh" He turned his back on
her and leaned on the mantelpiece,
dropping his head on his arms. He
had never felt as far away from.
her when he had been unable to
learn even her name. What need
had she of him or any man?
Mary gave him quick compre-
hending glance, and came out Of
her isolation. She went over to him.
turned him around, and took his
face between her hands.
Cant you imagine what 1t meant
to me to have you there?" she
asked softly. at seemed to me
that nothing else mattered. We
two are in world of our own.
How could they seem more to me
than the buzzing OF so many brain
less insects? Forget it, and l shall"
But although he was consoled, he
wondered, as he left the house, if
he would ever feel more depressed
in his life. She might love him, but
what else could he ever be to her
hut a lover? His manhood rebelled.
II she had only flung herself weep
ing into his arms. If for once he
could HAYES felt himself stronger
than she-indispensable.