Evening star., 1925-08-16

selves the silent influence Of Lutrecht,
Blum and his wonderful love of life
and dark background of INSCRIPTIONS
ambition.
Grant, who was usually so full of
reserves. told her what only one or
two people in the world knew--of his
visit to Berlin as a traveller in steel,
told her how he had stayed at a com
mercial hotel and lodged the fashion
able quarters of the city, OF how he
had seen her once in the distance.
driving. He even told her what she
wore. She laughed into his face, with
glad eyes.
You remember my ermines. You
remember just what J. wore. And yet
you pretend that YOU don't care
Il have never pretended quite so
much as that" he answered
The wine danced in their gla sses.
"Wonderful"' Gertrude decla red.
No one ever has such wonderful wine
as you, Grant. Or is 1t drinking with
you makes me think So. | wonder.
When YOU can leave off being severe.
when you can look like human be
ing. something like the dear Grant of
only few years ago-then YOU make
life seem too thrilling oh. if only |
had the power to soften your heart
just little. to awaken memories in
your brain, to make your eyes soften
and have you feel-well. you have felt
things for nae. Grant" "
And YOU for me-" he ventured
IS for no one else" she answered:
then and alas. now.
lie felt sudden rebellious stirring
OF the pulses, and he set his teeth.
She laughed at him, half provoca
lively. half insolently.
Grant she begged. .'just this one
night may we have some more wine?
nearing the thunder of those seas
breaking outside. eXCiteS me | had
no lunch and I'm hungry and thirsty"
Brookes hastened away. They were
alone for moment. She leaned to-
ward him. He sat quite still Her
llpS rested for a second delicately, vet
tenderly. upon his. and passed away.
The storm" she whispered. Put
II down to that. All the strange things
lhat one can't see at normal times
seem 10 be calling out inside one to-
night. Grant. dear. do you know you
really have got better looking during
the last three years? l like the way
you part your hair, and those tiny
little bits of gray at the sides
Are you trying TO turn my head?''
he replied uneasily 49,.
II l could. would. she confessed
Why think of il? Why speak Of It ?
/ love the excitement of this great
motion. the thrill of being here alone
with you We are somewhere in the
middle of the Atlantic. aren't we.
Grant? Oh. | wonder what Otto is
thinking about?"
She leaned back and laughed. show
ing her perfect teeth. the faint color
once more back in her pale cheeks
Il think | must have an evil ma
ture." she went on, because ! love
To think of him now tearing his
hair and curSing-impotent II there s
anything in the world really detest.
able. it's a jealous man who takes no
pains to keep what he has-a jealous
man who thinks that what he has
bought-bought at the altar-is his
by divine right"
Grant rose to his supreme effort.
He braced himself and fought against
the personal note which had crept into
their conversation. He tried TO dis
Cuss the future of the nations but she
would have none OF that. He told
stories and she suffered herself TO be
amused. But all the time the at
mosphere which she had created
seemed to remain. Her-eyes We're. con
tinuallv seeking his. begging for that
answering fash which bespoke a coni-
mon understanding. -, al
"Ah, Grant" shea said once as
they fingered for moment over their
last glass of wine, how happy 1 am
tonight. You were adorable 10 fetch
me from my solitude. Do you know
that If YOU had sent me no word, ]