Evening star., 1897-06-05

possible and easy tears over the loss OF
her money to the unknown agony that
could wrench a sob from a woman like
this? Dear Mrs Horncastle," he went
on as breathlessly, think of me now not
as Kttty's husband, but as your true friend.
Yes, as your best and truest friend and
speak to me as you would speak to him"
and passionately, grasping his hand, my
best and truest friend? And if tell you all
-everything-you will not cast me from
you and hate me?"
Barker felt the same thrill from her
warm hand slowly possess his whole being
as 1t had the evening before, but this time
he was prepared, and answered the grasp
and her eyes together as he said, breath
lessly, Il will bel am your friend
She withdrew her hand and passed 1t
over her eyes. After a moment she caught
his hand again, and holding 1t tightly as if
she feared he might fly from her. bit her
lip. and then slowly. without looking at
him, said, Il lied to you about myself and
Kitty that night; did not come with her.
L came alone and secretly to Boomville to
see-to see the man who is my husband"
Your husband!" said Barker in surpris.
He had believed, with the rest of the world,
that there had been no communication be-
tween them for years. Yet so intense was
nus interest In her that he did not notice
that this revelation was leaving now no ex-
cIse for his wife's presence at Boomville
Mrs Horncastle went on, with dogged bit
terness, Yes. my husband. 1 went to him
Child. Yes, my child" she said, frantically,
tightening her hold upon his hand, for
lied to you when l once told you 1 had
none. had child, and more than that
cfild who at his birth l did not dare to
openly claim"
She stopped breathlessly, stared at his
face with her former intensity as If she
would pluck the thought that followed from
MS brain: But he only moved closer to her,
passed his arm over her shoulders with
movement SO natural and protecting that 1t
had certain dignity in 1t, and, looking
down on her bent head with eyes brimming
clhldr'
Whereat Mrs. Horncastle again burst into
tears. And then, with her head half drawn
toward his shoulder. she told him all-all
.hat had passed between her and her hus-
band-even all that they had then but hint
ed at. 1t was as II she felt she could now
Tor the first time. voice all these terrible
memories OF the past which had come back
10 her last night when her husband had
LETT her. She concealed nothing, she yelled
nothing; there were intervals when her
tears no longer flowed, and a cruel hard
ness and return of her old imperiousness of
Voice and manner took their place, as If
she was doing rigid penance and took a
bftter satisfaction in laying bare her whole
soul to him. Il never had a friend" she
whispered; there were women who perss-
cuted me with their jealous sneers; tn ere
were men who prosecuted me with their
selfish affections. When ! first saw you,
you seemed something SO apart and differ
ent from all other men that, although I
scarcely knew you, I wanted to tell you,
even then; all that have told you now.
wanted you to be my friend; something
told me that you couldthat you could sep
arate me from my past; that you could tell
me what to do; that you could make me
think as you thought. see life. as you saw
It, and trust always to some goodness In
people as you did. And in this faith I
thought that you would understand me
Eow, and even forgive me ALL"
She made slight movement as II to dis
engage her arm, and possibly to look into
his eyes. which she knew instinctively
were bent upon her downcast head. But
he only held her the more tightly until her
cheek was close against his breast. What
could 1 DOR she murmured. "A man in
sorrow and trouble may go to a woman for
sympathy and support and the world win
not gainsay or misunderstood him. But q
woman-weaker. more helpless credulous,
ignorant and craving for hght-must not.
In her agony. go to a man FOR succor and
sympathy
Why should she notf' burst out Barker.
passionately, releasing her In his. attempt
to gaze into her face. What man dare re-
fuse herr
Mot that" she said, slowly, but with
still averted eyes. but because the world
would say she loved HIM" ss:v
And what should she care for the opin.
ion Of q world that stands aside and lets
her suffsr7 Why should she hssd ifs