The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-07-22

Two women can love one man can 4De
man love two wonen1 was the quesuop "a
bis mind. His better nature urged him
toward the girl who had just asked him TO
be honest; force Of habit and the subtle
fascination Of q woman OF the world in-
clined him to be faithful to her whose
thrilling voice still echoed In his ears with
words OF love. Had John Arnold told the
TRUTH Must he, indeed. make choice at
once between Calypso and Penelope2 It
seemed so. He glanced toward Alice In
man By her side sat his dearest enemy,
the youth whose malicious remark had
annoyed him In the courtroom.
as 1t not pity" the young man was
saying to Miss Inman. shat such good
fellow as Hal Otis should not be better
balancedY
II don't know what you mean, /" returned
Alice coldly
"WeD. for instance. he dined with Mrs.
Barr tonight and then came straight here.
j think it is shame"
A slight pallor appeared on the girls faco
for an instant, but she managed to remark
In conventional way:
!" see that your partner is deserted, Mr..
Rogers. | think you had better go to her."
In her heart she knew that Rogers had
told the truth about Harlan Otis but she
despiscd him for his humanity attempt to
stab colleague In the back. Nevertheless,
the blow had struck home and when Otis
came to claim her for the second intermis-
sion she received him coldly. He did not
notice, however, the constraint in her man
ner for, with his usual impetuosity, he had
come to an important decision and longed
only to find some corner where he could
talk to Alice In comparative seclusion. AZ
ter they had seated themselves in a re-
mote nook In the hallway he said:
Early In the evening you asked me,
Alice, why would not be honest-just for
a change. After our Yankee fashion. let
me return your question with another.
Will you let me be?"
She shrank from him, and pulled her
white wrap closer across her shoulders, as
though the draught had chilled her.
You 40 not answer. Silence, they say,
gives consent. Alice, love you. want
you to be my wife"
She sprang up quickly as he attempted
to take her hand Her face was very pale
and the shadow Of tears was in her eyes.
In her veins flowed the blood of Puritan
ancestors, and, though her heart was
breaking, pride showed itself In every
movement, In every feature.
Mr.. Otis, you have no right to speak to
l AtiO III IllS LOU ndVt DecD fuDhluu.
Please take me back to the ballroom"
- But Alice" he cried. sprlnging up,
fyou do not understand T."
So . understand too much" she said sadly.
rs Come"
She placed her arm in his He detained
her for an instant.
5 : You don't know what you've DONE" he
whispered hoarsely. Then, almost fiercely:
He'll me-are you engaged to John Ar
,noid2"
- No." she answered simply. Come"
The moon had fallen toward the west
terft horizon as Harlan Otis STUN
bled through the snow toward col
lege. His brain was in O whirl and q
heavy hand seemed to clutch his heart.
The silent beauty Of the night claimed not
the fever that made his pulses beat fast
and his cheeks burn. Behind him the
lights Of the ballroom shone through the
.darkening night and the joyous music OF
tho dance vibrated ON the crisp dry air.
Reaching his pallor tho young man
threw u few sticks OF wood upon the
smouldering fire, lighted lamp, cast of
his overeoat and seated himself ut the
desk. He tried to write, but his nerves
were too unstrung to make the effort sue
cessful. Impatiently he arose and filed
his pipe. Then as he pulled himself into a
quieter frame of mind he pcnned the fol-
lowing note:
My Dear Rhoda;
The sleighing is glorious. II you wish
to drive with me Tomorrow afternoon, I
will call for you about three.
Lovingly yours,
HARRY.