tarted out to get light, air, easement of his soul among woods and fields. And now, instead of turning into Central Park at Columbus Circle, he was f

of all dwellings in Manhattan, the house where Annette Markham lived. Any irritation which he had felt against her, after the unpleasant evening before, was lo

n he reached the house, nothing happened. The front door remained firmly shut; no open window gave a delicious glimpse of Annette. After his machine had gone ahead to such position that he could no longer scan the house without impolite craning of his neck, he found that his breat

en before he caught her characteristic walk-graceful and fast enough, but a littl

esitated between two courses, knowing well which he would pursue in the end. As he entered the park, still a dozen yards behind her, he saw that the footpath which she was following br

her face had started even before she began to turn; she did not appear surprised, only pleased. Beatin

u ride?"

she was in the seat beside him. He turned at low speed north,

ou happen

bold fr

saw you. Which of your spirits"-he was bold enough for the moment to mak

ttle air. Aunt Paula is out this morning-something about the plumbing. Dear Auntie, how I'd love to take those cares off her shoulders. She'll never let me, though. And next week our housekeeper, whom we've held for t

with anxiety-th

rmal that you should be tired out so soon after the

w that perfectly, an

hy don't you go to some physician about it

her eyes on the autumn tints of the park,

n heal me. Greater physicians, higher ones, for me.

t queer business of which you tol

ust t

g have to do with you

ll not

You know I could not laugh now. Little as I respect

er lips pursed up as though to form certain low and tender words, and th

o them, are violent. Men, she says, have smashed furniture and torn their bodies. I am

o this thing, I can afford to give up a few powers of my body? Am I to become a Light without sacrificing

broad, unobstructed parkway. He could turn his eyes from his busi

time keeping you away

her. The strain in her f

e likes you, I th

ay of showing it," he responded

e when she is studying people. Then think of the double reason she has for receiving you coldly-my whole future,

le acquaintance for he

t? If not, why did she telegraph to me when she did?" Then, as they turned fr

? You said once that you would teach me

ttered of the trees, the water, the children on the benches, the gossiping old women. She made him stop to buy chestnuts of an Italian vendor, she led him toward his tales of the Phili

ry small hit last night," he s

much last night," s

Were you afraid of Mrs. Markham? I felt like the young man

know," sh

tell

e? I was like an actress on the stage, and you like a man in the audience. I was speaking to you-a part. In no way could you ans

your Aunt Paula had no

arned. "Yet that may have something to do with it. I am

between me and your Aunt Pa

of nothing but this all day-why do you make it harder? I do not know if I can renounce a

h the surge of his passion that his hands trembled on the steering-wheel. Afraid of losing all muscular control, he brought the aut

ied it-can I eve

nclosed by the greatest city, seem still a part of remote country. Heavy branches of autumn foliage guarded the road to right and left; from end to end

perfect misery. I love you so much that my work now seems stale and dreary. I love you so much that I don't want ever to go away from you. I want to stay here forever and feel your arms about me, for that is the only way that I shall ever know happiness-or peace. I wake in the morning with your name on my lips. I wander through the day with you.

trembling against his cheek. As though she were utterly spent,

the passengers in the other car, intent on their own chatter, did not look; only the chauffeur regarded their chassis with a professional eye, as though wondering

on-drive on

nette-d

beg you-drive on

is unsteady touch, he obeyed, managed to gain

over's observation saw how beautifully she wept. Her eyes were not red, her face was calm

home," she said. "Drive b

. She dried her eyes. Now she smiled

was sweet. Dear, might I touch your arm? No, you

e a mile so-two miles-and neither spoke until they came out into inhabited Upper Broadway. At the appearance of crowds, trucks and t

is since I kissed you! I am glad. I s

s on a child who s

renounce n

e stolen this morning-wo

first kiss of a

answered. "But remember, if you d

to hurl out the intense things which he had to say. But when t

that I believe such moonshine even if you do? And do you

again; let her hand

nly ask you not to spoil this day for me. I have stolen it. Let me enjoy it. I shall not put you out of my life-at

nd said no word until they came near the Eighty-Sixth Stre

und me," she answered;

l your Aunt Paula

s, but that I rode with you. What is t

spi

ts to know about me." They had drawn up at the park ent

uickly-you must come

a spring, an exultation, as though from new life. He watched until she was only a blue atom among the foot-passe

at a quarter past eight, might bring a note from her. He timed his dressing carefully, that he might arrive downstairs neither before nor after the moment of fulfilment or disappointment.

he tore it op

MR. B

change. Please do not call at my house, for I shall not see you. Please do not write, for I shall send your letters back unopened.

incere

TE MA

fell a little bundle of rags, topped by a comical black face, and a note. The letter of the mor

ll comes to this-we must never see each other again. Please do not send me a letter, for though I should cover it with my kisses, in the end I would ha