The Eddy current., 1899-03-11
CHAPTER tx.

NAAAA lah 10
This evening. when Edith had called
upon my wife was the first time she
had ever suggested or seemed 10 wish
for a private Interview and the cir
cumstance disturbed and excited me
more than ! liked. when at last.
after o long delay. she came down the
walk, rose instinctlyely TO meet her,
and tried to give 20 the interview as
cold and buslncss-llke tone as
could command.
what must you think Of me- Paul?"
she began lmpulsiyely. But | had
no resource left 10 me but TO ask you
10 meet me here. You you are the
only friend look about me us ana
iously as | n-to whom ! dare turn
for ply and help In great danger
that threatens me-. TO whom dare
trgOt secret that welghs-oh so
heavily upon my life. You once
here, on this spot told me you loved
me dearly that that love Is, of
course. dead now, but to its memory
how dear and precious TO me-. you
will never know, now appeal when
j implore you to share my secret ami
give me the help without which
shall sink An, you will pity and
forgive me when you know am Hear
me, dear Paul, friend Of my youth.
bcHooch you"
Prudence loyalty 10 poor Helen. who
believed IN me $50 Implicitly, distrust
~ myself. twenty other considerations
urged me to refuse her request but her
little hot hands were grasping mine.
her lovely blue eyes fun Of cntrcaty
nxod upon my face ! had bent my
head. she whispered her secret into
my ear. u was secret that startled
and palned me. more than could have
believed possible. that nlled me with
indignation and pity. made mo prom-
lse her my most devoted unconditional
allegiance. and knoellng by her side
beg forgiveness Tor my harsh ludg-
ment and cruel words 20 her q year
before. Poor. poor child, II / only
could have guessed
Up and down the walk ! paced for
fuliy ten minutes battling with my
wrath and agitation. until her anxious
face recalled mo 90 the necessity for
orompt ana cautious nction and tak-
ing my place beside her we talked to-
rether for fully half an hour IN earnest
whispers and discussed the most
available measures for nvcrtlng th1
threatened danger when We rose
to mart al last. she laid her hand on
ms arm with a piteous gesture.
II have trusted you, you will not
betray meg You viii give me your
soiemn word of honor 20 tell mo- one
no, even your wife. for she does not
like me''
"Whnt an idea" I burst ont Inn
puislvely. How could you imagine
surh q thing Edic' why she is nl.
ways pralsiug you. admlrlng youi
beauty. your grace, your cleyernesl
wondcrug how / escaped falling in
ioye with
stopped abruptly. colorlng furious
~ whilst lovely wave OF carmln'
frightened her cheek. After pain
fully conscious pause during which
we did not dare look az one another
she said softly wlthdfawing her hand
which ! had been unwittlngly hold
ing
"You will hnd I'm right she doe
not like me Paul. indeed.
why. Edle7'
"How should know twisting
her rms slowly round and looking
down. n have tried 60 be nlc
90 her. 10 make a friend Of her; bu
IT'S of NO use she will never like ms
I'm sure ! can't guess Why-can you
pauiY'- with a swift upward glanc
into my uneasy face.
Of course knew thea she vas an
always had been an unblemishe
angel. an innocent and ahameiully IN
tured girl, that she had never wilful