Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-16

she laughed, elm several ways. Ny
blood, 90 to speak, loves him. Then my
mind loves him. He has genius and
enormous ambition. He's never dull
witted or humdrum. You'll admit
there's grandeur in him. Well, that's
how love Carl Balloon"
1T seems TO be enough" answered.
her hand still in mine. She made no
attempt to withdraw it.
"Of course. It probably IS enough"
she returned; "but the very fact that
I'm discussing him with you at all
might show that there are reservations.
For insurance, shouldn't say loved
him with my soul. But wonder" and
she smiled q little, whether that isn't
nonsense" then, turning her eyes full
thought"
My amazement had passed as quickly
as it came. It seemed to be the re-
Election Of an outworn thought. There
charming woman rejected sentimental
prejudice.
Because" 7 said, sit was in hope
that you might care for me. 1t was be-
cause love YOU utterly"
Her fingers frightened. I heard her
quick breathing, and her words: "To-
ntght-why not?" There passed blur
ring OF consciousness. know that her
lips were pressed to mine. recall the
touch OF her face, as II it were the soft
ness OF warm petals. forgot all other
thoughts, except that. for a moment,
held her in my arms.
What we said, or whether We had
| spoken, escapes me: but I remember
this at length, that she whispered, as
II to herself: How foolish Celia was!
She refused to live. She was mistress
here and refused the gift. Think Of it,"
And, with q laugh: How much better
dead!'
1t was as IL some one else had spoken.
felt aghast for an instant. But the
effect on herself of what she had said
was Transforming. She sprang up and
stood swaytng before the FIRE, her face
buried in hsr hands.
1T Is over" she moaned; "it Is over
with me. What am I! What can
hope for! Tell me-" she went on, that
you didn't hear. I didn't mean 1t.
couldn't have meant it," She sank TO
her knees. "Be good to me. Say you'll
member what you used to think OF me.
You will-you'll be generous to me.
You won't drag me on as Carl Balloon
would Leave that to him! know
what Celia meant now. She was brave
she stood IL out; she died. Indeed, how
much better deadw
Breaking on, she looked up at me in
entreaty. Her face had grown white
as parchment, and from this blazed the
misery Of her eyes. It was as If We were
both trying to keep our foothold on an
outermost spur OF land and were being
dragged back by the sea. She had
called to me In despair, and 1t was SIM
ply the instructive impulse of pity
stronger even than the will that drove
us, that enabled me not to fail either
her or myself.
you have done no wrong" said
eft is who have acted abominably
and it Is you who have everything to
forgive. But you are worn out by this
past week-we are neither Of us our
selves. I wish you would leave Grey
houSe-you muSt!"
'If it weren't for Anne" she MUIR
INJURED, but I was aware already Of the
| former tone in her voice-"if it weren't
| for her, I would-that is" she added
'if I had the power" Her glance rested
| again on the poised falcon Of the man
telpiece. In the silence 1t was as If one
felt the loneliness Of the hall. She
smiled: eff I had the power"
But as we went up the stairs was
conscious of no self-approval. The glow
had passed. had had my moment
and let it escape. She was right. Bal
lion would not have played the fool
And all had In return for my hon.
orable performance was my own con-
tempt.
You're going In to see Amer" she
asked. i've moved to the next room
and won't bother this evening. Well
good night" There was perhapg Scorr