One Day

require an excuse for keeping to one's stateroom during an ocean voyage-especially during the fir

ot a man of the world, who through years of lurid experience had learned to look upon all women as his legitimate quarry. If he had been that sort, she told herself, she would have been on her guard inst

join the group at table and put behind her the futile labor of self-examination. She would not, of course, deign to

cted her most becoming gown and drove her maid in

amusement. Paul Zalenska rose hastily at her entrance and though she made many attempts to avoid his gaze she was forced at last to meet it. The electric spark of

es echoed that triumphant laugh she could not forget. She st

e Boy she had so recently vowed to shun. Well, she needn't talk to him, that was one consolation. Yet she caught herself almost involun

s charged with something that all felt too tangibly oppr

that Paul was mad for a word with her; she knew that she was tormenting and tantalizing him almost beyond endurance; she felt his impatience in every nerve of her, with that mysterious sixth sense some women are endowed with, and she rejoiced in her power to make him suffer. He deserved to suf

es. She had always known she had this power over men, but she had never cared quite so much about using it be

hamelessly at the disgusting old gallant till something in his face warned

a woman, she thought, with a thrill of dis

anity in his eyes, while the girl laughed to herself a

this game of spea

le more, and

less, and wha

poiled it all, anyway. And a curious flutter in her heart, as she watched the Boy take his punishment with as

w to his stateroom in chagrin when quite unexpectedly he found Opal standing by the rail, wrapped in a long cloak. She was gazing far out toward the distant horiz

love whom we did not quote in our little discus

given all

worldly wo

whole heart

r perfe

pardon I know no better

which would triumph. She put one white finger on her lip, and wondered what to say to him. She would not look into his eyes-th

tones, "that is, sorry that it offended

ous reflection, she lo

de thing to do, P

now that, Opal? Did yo

at you thought, Paul?

Better than you

ly, a startled expression

believe yo

was tempting him agai

believe in me? Don't yo

et-after-that! Oh, Paul, are y

e, but I'm b

you forgive me, yet, Opal! I know there is no plausible excuse for me, but

er reply. "If there had been any man i

a man that I couldn't help it. It doesn't strike you

t her hand to him, and whispered, "Then let's f

he looked so pretty and provoking as she said it, that he wanted to

at he should impute to it false motives and impulses. The Count prided himself upon his tact, and was therefore very careful to use the most idiomatic English in his conversation. But at this sudden discovery-for he had not imagined that the acq

lay, had only time to press to his lips the little hand s

before. Paul felt, with a thrill of joy, that he was looking far off into the vaster spaces of life, with their broad