But Iole brushed by her younger sisters, Aphrodite close beside her,
and, entering the great receiving-hall, stood still, her clear eyes
focused upon her husband's back.

"George!"

Mr. Wayne stiffened and wheeled; Mr. Briggs sidled hastily toward the
doorway, crabwise; the poet choked back the word, "Phup!" and gazed at
his tall daughter with apprehension and protruding lips.

"Iole," began Wayne, "this is no place for you! Aphrodite! let that
fellow alone, I say!"

Iole turned, following with calm eyes the progress of her sister toward
a tall young man who stood by the window, a red flush staining his
strained face.

The tense muscles in jaw and cheek relaxed as Aphrodite laid one hand on
his arm; the poet, whose pursed lips were overloaded, expelled a
passionate "Phupp!" and the young man's eyes narrowed again at the shot.

Then silence lengthened to a waiting menace, and even the three sisters
on the stairs succumbed to the oppressive stillness. And all the while
Iole stood like a white Greek goddess under the glory of her hair,
looking full into the eyes of the tall stranger.

A minute passed; a glimmer dawned to a smile and trembled in the azure
of Iole's eyes; she slowly lifted her arms, white hands outstretched,
looking steadily at the stranger.

He came, tense, erect; Iole's cool hands dropped in his. And, turning to
the others with a light on her face that almost blinded him, she said,
laughing: "Do you not understand? Aphrodite brings us the rarest gift in
the world in this tall young brother! Look! Touch him! We have never
seen his like before for all the wisdom of wise years. For he is one of
few--and men are many, and artists legion--this honorable miracle, this
sane and wholesome wonder! this trinity, Lover, Artist, and Man!"

And, turning again, she looked him wistfully, wonderingly, in the eyes.

THE END

* * * * *
* * * *

Errata (noted by transcriber)

The variation between single and double quotes for nested quotations
is unchanged.

so many agreeable-looking men." [_internal close quote missing_]
sounded a staccato monotone [stacatto]
for understanding me." [me.'"]
She leaned forward thoughtfully [foward]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Iole, by Robert W. Chambers

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IOLE ***

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