The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-10-22

conquered by temptation. 1t all came
upon me suddenly. Untilsix months ago
my life was honest and open to you day
and night. Then something happened
and almost before | knew my own danger
l had forfeited my own selfrespect, my
honor-the dear right to call myself youl
friend If 1 could tell you all-if I had
had courage at the beginning to speak
truth to you perhaps you could have for.
given me- But the rights ofanother were
involved. 1 can't even explain or ask
your forgiveness
"Suppose there is no need to ask it?
Suppose forgive you and let you keep
your mystery all the same? Look here,
Grant, you are not very disloyal when you
make confession of your disloyalty !" He
held out his hand suddenly, with sort
of eager smile on his face. "If you were
not still my friend at heart, would you care
to make this confession or grieve because
it needed to be made? Take my hand,
old fellow. Grant, l am more glad than
if some one had given me half a million Of
dollars that you have made this confession.
| don't want it in palmer words. What
ever the sin is l forgive you. No need to
feel cut up, my boy. Shake hands, and
let it be forgotten" "
81 can't, said Hobart, huskiiy, turning
his head away to hide the tears that had
rushed to his eyes.
"If you could know-but your kindness
your generosity-Warreu, you cut me
to the heart y
For long minute there was silence,
At length, turning impetuously, Hobart
spoke:
II can never take your hand again, the
hand from which | have received only
help and kindness, unless | am true to
you, Warren. This is the confession 1
must make to you-that l love Helen
Blaine. l have spoken words of love to
her. l have tried to take your place in
her heart knowing that you loved her and
we're, soon to make her your wife. Now,
do you think ought to take your hand in
miner
For all answer Ten Eyek stretched his
hand out aud grasped HObart's heartily.
That clasp, and the silence that followed,
we're eloquent indeed.
Confession for confession, be said,
quietly, and commenced again to puff his
cigar, which had suffered neglect for some
moments. Il win say to you what would
say to auy one else, thai | am trying, as
gradually as possible, to break my engage
meut with Helen. It is daily more appa-
rent to me that we are not suited, and |
am hoping that she viii be shrewd enough
to dismiss me-in time.
" You are trying to break the engage
menl?" Hobart asked, slowly in an ae-
cent Of deep surprise.
Ten Eyck nodded. 1T viii not be so
easy matter, am afraid. | have just
received letter from her thst has dis
couraged me considerably. Perhaps, un-
der the circumstances, am exeusable in
showing it to you !"
Hobart received and read the note, his
face changing to the very pallor Of death.
His hand trembled until the paper rustled
like leaf 10 the wind.
As he ended, it fell slowly to the floor,
and he sat looking at his friend in terri
bic silence.
II am justly punished" he said, in
low voice, at last; "she has deceived me,
too He drew a scrap of paper from his
breast This came to me two hours ago.
Read il, Warren. We shalllearn by-and-
By what women are
Aud Ten Eyek read
'I waited for my boy blessed hour to-day.
What detained you, dearest? The park was
lovely. And wore the little blue bonnet
yoa admire, aud sat in my shady corner and
loved and waited, and no one came. VIII
expect yoa tomorrow, same time and place.
Have not had a Werd from I. E., and 1t Is
more than q week since we met. | was earn
es, when told you / would try to break the
| think he is beginning now to
understand my intention and is too prond 10
oppose i'll God grantl With thousand hap
py hopes and thrice as many kisses, all my
li.sle girl, your HEtEs."
The note was written on the delicate,
perfumed paper with which Ten Eyek had
always kept his afllanced supplied. He
smiled little as he picked the other letter
from the floor and compared them.
There was none of the amazement or
apparent that Hobart had ex-
peeGed this revelation would arouse. Ten
Eyek merely said
awe shall never know women-neither
you nor /, neither Gods nor angels y
Aud then he continued calmly: "The fact
is, my surprise came long ago. | knew Of
this affair between you and Helen two
months past. You remember that day
YOU came in and found me asleep on the
lounge? | had not been asleep, Grant
in fact, my eyes were opened pretty
widely =
Warren Warren r
''Oh, well, don't mind it so much my
boy. | don't mind it now. | can under
stand how such temptation might over
come man. Anyway, it has not separated
US. We have each other, and Helen may
haye-any one she can get"
"God is my witness, it began with her!'
,aid Grant, low and solemnly. ''She
sought me here. / tried to be firm and
oyal, but moment came when her arms
we're round me, and everything was swept /
away in a whirlBind of passion. | asked |
her then at once to break with you aud
ihare my life, such as it was; but her hon
,r, she said, bound her to be true to you. (
Her honor-oh, her honor Yet | have |
lot the right to blame her, God knows
Warren, how is it possible you can forgive
ne this 2"
"Come with me to South America,
vas the quiet answer 81 have made my
,lans. This day week we can sail. l in
end to leave Helen a few thousand dol
ars to take her abroad, and she will soon
make brilliant match. l don't think we
iced either of US keep her on our con-
cienee to any great extent"
"Oh, God, loved her p said Hobart,
nth a groan. II would have staked my
fe on her love for me. 1t is horrible, it is
7orse than death to know her-What she
u"
you'll get over that, dear fellow"
aid Ten Eyck, kindly, patting his friends
road shoulder. 81 felt terribly, too, just
{ first
There was a great buzz and stir of gos-
p in Society's little world when the en-
agement between Helen Blaine and Ten
,yck was declared "off"
Ten Fqck very kindly allowed the sin