The Glenwood post., 1924-11-20

crowding all the time into the place.
The very singleness of her devotion
made her to some extent rival to be
accepted philosophically.
1t seemed incredible that four
o'clock had arrived. There was ball
that night at the Carlton. however. so
every one was resigned. They in,
vaded Gerald's rooms for their coats
and wraps. MYRTLE remained talking
with the marquis, with whom she had
been dancing. Her body was still
swayng little to the rhythm of the
music.
$50 this is your first night, made
moiselle? her companion said softly.
81 shall hope that we may meet many
more times"
"If you are friend of Gerad's,
l hope that we may" MYRTLE replied.
You have enjoyed yourself. on the
who!e?" he asked looking at her
curiously.
Her ears were Straining for Gerald's
voice. She could hear all the time
the shrill laughter of Nadine and her
friends.
81 have enjoyed the dancing" she
said.
II begin to believe he said. "that
you are really as young as you look"
81 am eighteen" she told him.
"For that moment was not think
Ing of your actual years." he ex-
planned. "How long have you known
Lord Dombey?"
"Gerald?" she queried. only very
short time. l have never danced with
him before today"
ut seems easy to believe" he said,
that you slipped down from the skies,
only nowadays Heaven does not part
with its children so easily. Tell me.
where did you come from. really?"
"A little farm on the other side Of
the mountains" she said. Gerald and
Monsieur Christopher brought me
here. Monsieur Christopher wants me
to 60 to England. but hope that Ger
aid will not let me 60"
II am not at all sure" he said. ''if
you are what you seem to be, that 1t
would not be better If you went to
England"
They all came trooping out Myr-
tile got up to fetch her own cloak. but
Gerald detained her. She stood by his
side. bidding good night to his guests
with him. The marquis frowned slight
ly as he made his adieux. The look in
his eyes haunted her for a moment as
he turned away. Then she was con-
scious Of curious sense of disturb
ance. She was alone with Gernld and
he was looking at her strangely.
"You have been happy. MyrtileY'
Gerald asked. and his voice seemed to
come from long way off
wonderfully" she answered. q
there is my cloak"
She moved toward the open door
leading into Gerald's suite. She
seemed suddenly torn by strange
medley of sensations and memories.
She saw Nadine pass through IT, d.
sheveled and indecent with that back
ward glance at Gerald which. even to
her Ignorance, seemed ugly. She
heard the voices of all of them laugh
Ing stridently Little haIf-under.
stood sentences puzzled her. She
passed into the sitting-room. Gerald
followed. closing the door. The sound
OF the music came quietly. MYRTLE
felt suddenly faint.
"You are tired" Gerald exclaimed
bending anxiously over her.
She put her arms around his neck
like child.
Gerald" she whispered, take care
of me. am afraid. Be good to me.
Gerald"
Their lips met. but there was some
thing absent from the warm Joy of
that first kiss: Side by side with her
happiness came the feeling of discord-
ant music all around her. Rank per-
fumes seemed to hang in the air. A
ribbon from one of Madness discarded
garments lay upon her sofa. Yet when
Gerald leaned toward her and his
eyes sought for hers, strange con-
tent seemed to creep like flood over
all these other things.
The door Of the sitting-room was
suddenly opened and closed Chris
topher stood there. little breath
less. as though he had rup up the
stairs, pale. and with look in his
eyes from which both Gerald and
MYRTLE quailed-Gerald with fuller
understanding. His arms dropped. He
was nearer fear than erer before in
his life. christopher spoke with mar
velous calmness,
"Gerald." he said. were you think
ing Of breaking your trust?"
"YcsN Gerald answered hoarsely
Drop this Don Quixote business,
Christopher. I'm sick of It,"
Christopher came a step nearer.
MYRTLE is coming back to her
lodgings with me-" he announced
'She is going to England tomorrow
morning, Your sister has promised to
take her"
'I,ut II Is impossible ~ MYRTLE