The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-11-03

could only see the forces of good and
evil struggling for mastery, and so
completely was he lost in this inward
vision that 1t was with a shock of sur
prise that Joe's voice struck his ears
again. He was evidently speaking be-
tween irritation and playfulneSs.
"Of course, a man appreciates con-
stancy, but he prefers TO have it exer-
cised in his own favor"
As they emerged into view David
saw that they had drawn nearer each
ether. and Ietta's tone when she spoke
had an almost pleading accent:
1T isn't constancy only, Joe. l don't
know what to call it,"
call il a mistaken sense of duty
backed up by ObStinancy."
81 don't pretend to explain it," Zetta
went on, but every now and then |
have NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of conscious
ness that l can't describe TO you. and
that seem to take me out of myself.
1t isn't true to say that | haven't
known anything of David since he left
Brldgewater: I have felt his preSt nee
sometimes as plainly as | do yours.
There have been moments when | was
sure that my love and faith We're all
that stood between him and ship
wreck"
Again she raised her head a deer-like
motion. and the look Of the visionary
widened her eyes. The moonlight. al
ways mysterious IN its action. brought
out on her face It's full spiritual charm.
and it Shone. as it We're. TRANSPORTED.
In Iue'S fare, on the contrary, certain
earthly elements were disclosed which
by daylight might have passed unob-
served But Nick Eottom in love would
soon have forgotten his ass's ears; Joe
saw Ittta'S features. not his own. and
the natural result followed; his pulses
began TO quicken and Self-command to
give way.
"Zetta Zetta" he cried; 'if you
aren't fit to drive man mad with
your delays and your bewitchments
and your mysterious atfinities-as if
flcSh-and-b bod meeting weren't enough.
| wish to heaven that David. as You
call him. was here, and We would soon
settle which should carry you off. I'm
ordinarily Scrupulous, and wouldn't
ask any woman to break her heart. or
even her engagement. for me. but this
is another thing As TO the second
sight that they talk about. You know
very we'll that have no faith in that.
Such things are all humbug. or delu-
sions at best, and the more you indulge
in them the more drluded you are. put
ting signs and condolences above rea-
son and common sense l don't pre-
tend to any gifts as a medium. nor de
mand an inspired prophecies for my
s., III,
love and prize you and stay at home
and work hard to make you comforta-
bic"
Cutting. desolating words. Joe and
Zetta passed on. but soon returned. so
that this time the hiatus was short
-. | wouldn't ask anything more.
Tell me, Zetta, are you really indiffer-
ent to me-"
indifferent to you? No, That's lust
the trouble. l wish | We're" said Yet
ia rccllcssly. and now indeed let
David tremble. Il wish with my whole
soul that | were one of those women
who can only feel one thing at a time.
Why, Joe, for the last four years my
heart has been like something caught
in the tide. washed back and forth by
emotions that | can't control or under.
stand. like you and dislike you, too.
and sometimes-come, I'll tell the truth
now. | almost think that the combin-
alton"
"Xetta You 30" criei Ice and would
have put an end to the discussion forth
with.
oh, wait, wait wait. haven't sale
ANYTHING vet. I don't know why it is.
Joe but l always feel that I'm enter
tanning my bad angel when | parlev
with YOU. Still, one can't give ND
everything, and. sooner or later. as
You say. Oh. heavens, Joe. give me
moment or two to Think | must
he myself minute let me sit down
here"
She had been walking more and more
slowly. rs if bound to the spot by some
mysterious magnetism. and with The
last words she sank down on fallen
log in the edge of the pines.
Night and moonlight there might
complete their spell. 1t would be
sweet, sweet, to lean on stronger arm.
Don't send me away" urged Ioo. al
most in a whisper. Come. you've told
me everything now. know all your
doubts and ntisgivings I'll take the
responsibility for them, and promise
they'll vanish in the very first kiss"
David could listen no longer. The
flood sang in his ears and for the first
time he felt a scocching sense of dis.
honor Burving h face in his arms
he gave himself up to one of those tenn
pests of feelings th It seem not so much
raised in the soul as imposed upon il
by an irresistible power Pity and
rage. hate and love were no longer dis
tiugGishable. He cursed himself 10,
his tolls and denials, and Swore to hira
self that the devil would have his inn
ings. mt last, after all he had suffered
He swoF2 that women were all alike
and all alike despicRble. What perverse
trick Of fate had led him to skulli In
the woods nj the very moment when he
ought TO have been nj the ends of tho
earth? He cnrid have laughed long ana
loud that he should have come back
home only to see another man making
love to his paragon. Fool and dream.
er that he had been! To believe in a
common consciousness! Fool to count
on woman's faith, or to keep his own.
And then one thought rushed over and
swallowed up all the others: "Oh, Zet-
ia! my darling Zetta, how can live
without you?'
why, he never knew, but at that
point David suddenly lifted his head.
Zetta had risen suddenly, like one
starting out of dream, and her whole
impression and attitude proclaimed
that one of her swift changes of mood
had come over her.
Leave me, tell YOU" she exclaimed
passionately, stamping her foot. 81
SAID that you were my bad angel, and