Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-07-01

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BaES HARrn
PART I.
CHAPTER III.-CoNrIyurD.
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BasS HARrn-

ence did not know that when women
are most illogical they are apt to be
most sincere, and from q mans stand
point, her unreasoning deductions an
Peared to him only as an affectation to
gain time for thought, or a theatrical
Display to dazzle, like Susy's. And he
was turning, half contemptuously.
away when she again faced him with
flashing eyes:
We'll, hear me. 1 accept. L leave
here at once to join my own people, my
own friends-those who understand me
put what construction on il that YOU
choose. Do your worst You cannot
do more to separate us than you have
done just now"
She left him and ran up the stems
with an eNtravngant return of her old
occasional nymph-like gracefulness-
the movement of n woman who has
never borne children-and a swish of
her long skirts that he remembered for
many day after as she disappeared in
the corridor.
He remained looking after her-in.
dignaut, outraged and--unconvinced
Then there was n rafting at the gate.
He remembered he had locked il. He
opened il to the flushed, pink cheeks
and dancing eyes of Susy. The rain
was still dripping from her wet cloak,
as she swung il from her shoulders
81 know il all, all that's happened"
she burst out, with half girlish exuber-
ance, and half the actress defamation.
We met them all in the road, posse and
prisoners. Chief Thompson knew me
and told me all. And so you've
done it-and you're master in your old
house again. Clarence, old boyl Jim
said you wouldn't do II. Said you'd
weaken on account of her! But said
No 1 knew you better, old Clarence,
and / saw it in your face, for all your
stiffness! He! But for all that was
mighty nervous and uneasy, and lust
made Jim send an excuse to the theater.
and we rushed it down here. Lordy.
but IL looks natural TO see the old house
again! And she-you packed her of
with the others, didn't you? Tell me.
Clarence in her old appealing voice.
''you shook her, too?"
Dazed and astounded, and yet ex-
pressing vague sense of relief with an
odd return of his old tenderness towards
the willful woman before him. he had
silently regarded her until her allusion
to his wife recalled him to himself
Hush" he said, quickly, with a
glance towards the corridor.
"Ah!" said Susy, with n malicious
smile, then that's why Capt. Pinck-
ney was lingering in the rear with the
deputy"
"Silcnce!" said Clarence, sterply. "Go
II there" pointing to the garden room
below the balcony, land wait until
your husband comes"
He half led, half pushed her into the
room which had been his business office
and returned to the patio. hesitating
voice from the balcony said: "Clar-
ence.'
1t was his wife's voice, but modified
and gentler-more like her voice as he
had first heard it-or as If il were
chastened by some "Reminiscences of
those days. 1t was his wife's face, too.
that~iooked down on his, paler than he
had seen it since he had entered the
house. She was shawled and hooded.
carrying traveling-bag in her hand.
II am going, Clarence" she said, with
gentle gravity, "but not IN anger! I
even ask you to forgive me for the fool
ish words that / still think your still
more foolish accusation" she smiled
family, dragged from me. / am going
because / know that 1 have brought,
and that while / am here | shall always
be bringing upon you the imputation
and even the responsibility of my own
faith! While / am proud to own il,
and, III needs be, suffer for IL, have no
right to ruin your prospects, or even
make you the victim of the slurs that
others may cast upon me. Let us part
as friends, separated only by our diff
ferent political faiths, but keeping all
other faiths together, until God shall
settle the right of this struggle. Per-
haps IL may be soon-I sometimes think
it may be years of agony for all-but
until then good-by."
She had slowly descended the steps TO
the patio, looking handsomer than he
had ever seen her, and MS IL sustained
and upheld by the enthusiasm of her
cause. Her hand was outstretched
toward his, his heart beating violently;
in another moment he might have for
gotten all and clasped her to his breast.
Suddenly she stopped, her out
stretched arm stiffened, her finger
pointed TO the chair on which susy's
cloak was hanging.
What's that?" she said, i'm a sharp.
high, metallic voice. "Who is here ?
Speak,"
"Susy." said Clarence.
She cast scathing glance around the
patio and then settled her piercing eyes
on Clarence with a bitter smile.
Already"
Clarence felt the blood rush to his
face as he stammered: "She knew
what was happening here and came 10
give you warning"
"Liari"
stop" said Clarence, with a white
face. "She came 60 tell me that Capt
Pinckney was still lingering for you in
tho road"
He threw open the gate 10 let her
pass. As she swept out she lifted her
hand. As she closed the gate there were
the white marks OF her four fingers or
his cheek.
CHAPTER ~,
For once Susy had not exaggerated