The Eddy current., 1898-09-24


caught him and held him then with q
mighty strength. The primitive crca'
ture comes ont when Il IL lashod with
the whip Of real pain; all the bars OF
custom and convention cannot restrain
H. Ho forgot the honor OF his sane
moments. lie saatchod away the
hands and dragged her 10 Kim, and
turned her face up again to his.
why did you do II, Cicely7" he re-
peatod.
She cllnohed her teeth and steadied
her voice. and then she told him.
But you we're utterly wrong" he
enid. lie was dazed TO have been 80
misunderstood, and he offered no ex-
PLANTATION. nut she did not need ono
now. She had seen the full measure
Of her folly.
II know" she answered II was
wrong, and-i am punished" She
threw her arms about his neck and
fobbod. and he hold her close. II was
only for a little time. Then she drew
away and her arms fell at her Sides.
II cannot be helped" she said. aud
she turned and went away.
There was no change In Raymond.
either then or az the years went on. He
was n good officer and good man and
unombtlored. But Cicciy Glanvlllo
changed. The world loves nothing bet
ter than to find an explanation for
what Las mystlned Il. II does not
trouble TO verify its belief 1T "a
plain" u said now. why Ciccly Mar
litt married Granville. Raymond was
not the man 20 have allowed her to IN.
dulge her propenslties."
The propensltles we're toward nirta-
tions that scandallzed that conserva-
tive and respectable institution, the
army. Even the men OF the regiment
resented that Il should be given fame
through Mrs. Glanville. And the wo-
men feared and hated her but they
also admired. Popular superstition to
tho contrary Notwithstanding. most
women see tho charms Of a rival En-
Wy is as keen-slghted as love IA blind.
And the clever ones admit them.
Being isolated from the small circle
Of feminine wit, Mrs Glanylllo added
10 her attractions much masculine
clcar-slghtodnoss and wide range Of
interests. She was as good 10 talk 20
as TO look upon. She spoke with tho
tongue ~ a wisdom that was more
not lcss-than womarly. and she sang
with the voice OF siren, and men felt
down before her and worshlpcd her.
and, throwing the cloak Of their in
fatuation over the clay feet Of their
idol, came finally TO forget them and
believe II all spotless alabnster They
held her up to wives and daughters and
sisters whom they would have dis
owned FOR following In her path. And
they ruined the peace Of their lives and
~ their homes for her-all. too. with
out the hone OF even n caprlclous funcy
for reward. She brought them low
and laughed nj them, but they still had
faith, as had her husband. though tho
heavens should fall. She was known
to the borders Of the service. and be-
yond, 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 20 her. Ills old faith
was unmoyodlt was better sort of
faith than any other she had inspired.
Years had gone since she had seen him.
She sat once again before the flre-this
tine IN her fathers home And Ray
mOnd stood looking down at her. The
face. above the black dress OF her
mourning. was as salntllke aA OF old.
and seemed as young and unscarred.
The long gray eyes were as placid.
but more deep. lie did not ask now
Why she had done these things. Per
haps he knew. But he said to'hcr, as
though the time had never been:
"Cieely. do you love me stlll3"
And the sweet llps parted TO say the
wor:s that they had never framed
save for him; II love you STILL"
lie reached out his hand and took
hers. She tried TO draw II away.
But you do not want me-now? ?"
she said.
lie held her fast and answered: IL
want you now" There was no doubt
In his firm voice.
You do not know" she tried 10 tell
him.
Yes I know" he said "and yet
and yet ! want the Clcoly who was my
honest little playmate years ago, who
was my trusted love Ia the past; who
Will be my ferhful wife IN the time
TO come.Fc. olu sake's sake. want
her dear"
She laid her tired head upon HIS
shoulder and closed her tear-hlled eyes
And for old sake's sake" she said.
you shall have her er"-Gwendolon
Oyerton. In the Argonaut.