The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-09-12

Carolyn Clay wheeled round upon the
sitting girl, towering over her with
eyes that blazed in equal anger and
amazement. "Here? Tonight? In
+! this hcuse?"
'sWhy not, dear? He is an old friend
OF mammals, and very popular here
with both SETS"
"Why not? Do they not know that
Why, Bess. he was the" With blaz-
ing eyes, clinched hands, and laboring
bosom, Miss Clay stopped suddenly.
What It was she herself could not have
told; but again that inner something
stronger than her impulse and indigna-
ton, dominating her helpless will
whispered: peace: be still" She stood
silent, rooted to the spot, staring at her
friend.
81 knew you would be surprised, " the
other went on. Sand really, Caro-, you
do seem to recollect very well, oonsid-
'ering your denial just now. # q mere
name carries such talisman, I do not
wonder so much at your unferninine
curiosity as to that unselfish hero who
saved You at risk of halter"
Over Carolyn Clay's face, now pale as
death once more, swept thoughts too
swift and complicated for translation
by the inexperience that watched it.
Rut, seeing them, the younger woman
ceased badinage, and, rising quickly,
passed loving arms about the tall form.
nesting her head upon its tumult-tossed
bosom.
"Forgsve me, darling" she whispered,
softly. 81 was silly, thoughtless. i,
too, know what it is to care for some
one. We're separated from Willie"
Abruptly, almost roughly, Miss Clay
ignored the caress and repudiated the
suggestion.
''Tou are wrong-utterly wrong,
cJilai'' ahe cried 81 do not care for
that-that man. On the contrary, I
hatc-<ssspise him. He is not fit to let
your feet spurn him-far less to touch
your hand. Does not your mother know
suspect"
"What?" Bessie's eyes crew wide
with wonder, as the other paused sud
denly. "Why, Carol / never saw you
80 ezoited-so worked up. 1t must, in
deed, be something terriblel Tell me,
pssase!"
Miss Clay's face dsrkened, and her
breath came hard and quick. She
clinched her hands fercely; but stiIl she
did not speak, only staring at the other.
Then, with great effort, she turned a
deadly white face, Lit by cleaning eyes,
upon her:
Bessie, that man is He 1t was
who" Memory, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
stronger feeling it may have been-was
too much for her. Again she broke
down, sinkingin her chair and covering
her face, with the piteous moan:
sob, Godl I cannot!-ca1s1,0t!"
Wondering more still, but still deep
ly sympathetic, Bessie Westohester
watched this unwonted weakness OF the
woman who had been her model of fear
lessness and strength.
Only one instant, though. The next
she was hneeling by her side, her arms
close about the heaving bosom, her lips
pressed upon the glorious, bowed head:
"Forgive me, dear! Please forgive
me! was silly even to mention him
worse than silly to press you so. think
] understand"
J., Once more Miss Clay broke roughly
from the circling arms Once more she
stood erect with raised head and blazing
eyes, no weakness on her face now
only resolve SO fixed as to make its lines
seem hard and cruel. III.
Bessie Westchester," she said, in
cold, metallic tone, you do not under
stand me, but-you SHALL Not for
base, selfish reason, not to protect my
self from silly suspicion, but to protect
you and yours, so good to me, soSA
speak! That man, whose name have
sworn shall never pass my ips-that
man, who has my just contempt and
scorn, is.
The door opened quickly and Mrs.
Gray stood In it. painting from hasty as.