Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-05-09

10 rend the veil of ones universe in
twain and to open up the graves where
ones hopes and sorrows have lain
sleeping. Yet we jeer at melodrama
when we are shown bits from the play
of existence that are as nothing to
the truth. We say 1t is over-acted. 1t
is because it has been mercifully given
to us to forget. In the past, Raymond,
first of all, would have scoffed; in the
future, he would come to doubt the
horror of the present moment. But
1t caught him and held him then with
mighty strength. The primitive
creature comes out when it is lashed
with the whip Of real pain; all the
bars of custom and convention can
not restrain it. He forgot the honor
Of his sane moments. He snatched
away the hands, and dragged her to
him and turned her face up again to
his.
why did you do it, Cicely?" he re-
peated
She clenched her teeth and steadied
her voice, and then she told him.
But you were utterly wrong" he
said. He was dazed to have been so
misunderstood and he offered no ex-
planation. But she did not need one
now. She had seen the full measure
of her folly.
Il know" she answered, 81 was
wrong, and-I am punished" She
threw her arms about his neck and
sobbed, and he held her close. 1t was
only for little time. Then she drew
away and her arms fell at her sides.
ut can not be helped" she said; and
she turned and went away.
There was no change in Raymond,
either then or as the years went on.
He was good officer and good man,
and unembittered. But Cicely Clan
Vile changed. The world loves moth
ing better than to find an explanation
for what has mystified it. 1t does not
trouble to verify it's belief ut is
plain" it said now, why Cicely Mar
litt married Glanville. Raymond was
not the man to have allowed her to
indulge her propensities."
The propensities were toward fiirta-
tions that scandaliZed that conserva-
tive and respectable institution, the
army. Even the men of the regiment
resented that it should be given fame
through Mrs. Glanville. And the wo-
men feared and hated her; but they
also admired. Popular superstition to
the contrary notwithstanding, most
women see the charms of rival. Envy
is as keen-sighted as love is blind.
And the clever ones admit them.
Being isolated from the small circle
of feminine wit, Mrs. Glanville added
to her attractions much masculine
lear-sightedness and wide range of
interests. She was as good to talk to
as to look upon. She spoke with the
tongue of wisdom that was more
not less-than womanly, and she sang
with the voice of a siren, and men
fell down before her and worshipped
her. and, throwing the cloak of their
infatuation over the clay feet of their
idol came finally to forget them and
believe it all spotless alabaster. They
held her up to wives, and daughters,
and sisters whom they would have
disowned for following in her path.
And they ruined the peace of their
lives and of their homes for her
all, too, without the hope of even a
capricious fancy for reward. She
brought them low and laughed at
them, but they still had faith, as had
her husband, though the heavens
should fall. She was known to the
borders of the service, and beyond, as
a creature of no heart who had caused
disaster and even death, and had
shown neither remorse nor pity.
Yet when she was free once more,
Raymond went to her. His old faith
was unmoved. 1t was a better sort
of faith than any other she had in
spired. Years had gone since she had
seen him. She sat once again before
the fre-this time in her fathers
home. And Raymond stood looking
down at her. The face above the
black dress of her mourning, was as
saint-like as of old, and seemed as
young and unscarred. The long, gray
eyes were as placid, but more deep.
He did not ask now why she had done
these things. Perhaps he knew. But
he said to her, as though the time be-
tween had never been:
"Cicely, do you love me still?"
And the sweet lips parted to say the
words that they had never framed
saved for him: Il love you STILL"
He reached out his hand and took
hers. She tried to draw it away.
But you do not want me-now?"
she said.
He held her fast and answered: "I
want you now" There was no doubt
in his firm voice.
you do not know" she tried to
tell him.
"Yes, | know he said; "and vet
and yet | want the Cicely who was my
honest little playmate years ago; who
was my trusted love in the past; who