«There, there, there!» soothed Andy, putting aside his own trouble. «And what is it, now?»
«Andy,» sobbed Maggie. «I've lied to you, and you'll never marry me, or love me any more. But I feel that I've got to tell. Andy, there never was so much as the little finger of a count. I never had a beau in my life. But all the other girls had; and they talked about 'em; and that seemed to make the fellows like 'em more. And, Andy, I look swell in black—you know I do. So I went out to a photograph store and bought that picture, and had a little one made for my locket, and made up all that story about the Count, and about his being killed, so I could wear black. And nobody can love a liar, and you'll shake me, Andy, and I'll die for shame. Oh, there never was anybody I liked but you—and that's all.»
But instead of being pushed away, she found Andy's arm folding her closer. She looked up and saw his face cleared and smiling.
«Could you—could you forgive me, Andy?»
«Sure,» said Andy. «It's all right about that. Back to the cemetery for the Count. You've straightened everything out, Maggie. I was in hopes you would before the wedding–day. Bully girl!»
«Andy,» said Maggie, with a somewhat shy smile, after she had been thoroughly assured of forgiveness, «did you believe all that story about the Count?»
«Well, not to any large extent,» said Andy, reaching for his cigar case, «because it's Big Mike Sullivan's picture you've got in that locket of yours.»
THE COUNTRY OF ELUSION
The cunning writer will choose an indefinable subject, for he can then set down his theory of what it is; and next, at length, his conception of what it is not—and lo! his paper is covered. Therefore let us follow the prolix and unmapable trail into that mooted country, Bohemia.
Grainger, sub–editor of Doc's Magazine, closed his roll–top desk, put on his hat, walked into the hall, punched the «down» button, and waited for the elevator.