The Van Buren press., 1900-06-23

ing mnuendos at me, which, n0S
knowing to what they refer, | cannot
refute. If | have offended you, please
be kind enough to tell me in what
way"
Certainly" said Dora, unmoved.
"You have grown tired of my society.
You have longed to get back to your
old friends and your club, but, instead
of telling me so as an honest man
should you fixed up nice little story
about being obliged to work and
wishing to keep in the good graces OF
your superior, and then you come
home with another chapter of the
same story to pour into my unsuspect
ing ears, but, Gilbert Latimer, | hap
pen to know that you were not at the
bank tonight at all, and that you
spent your evening, or at least part
of it, at the Keota club
She hurled her accusations at him
defiantly, as though challenging him
to combat them if he could. Then
she broke down and buried her face in
a pillow.
"And is this all?" asked Gilbert
at is sufficient" said Dora, in a
muffled voice. . .f... t.Hl
Gilbert was silent for moment,
81 have always believed that love
and trust go together" he said, at
last. Married life is not always
May. and it requires faith and trust,
as well as love. to weather the storms
which must come to all, | do not
want love that is suspicious and un'
trustful; therefore, until you feel
that, no matter what appearances
are, you can trust me utterly, | viii
neither deny nor explain youI
charges"
He rose from his seat, and Dora,
peeping out of the corner of her
eye, saw him preparing to resume his
hat and coat, She had not bargained
for this. Bad as it was to have a
quarrel with him. she would rather
have gone on quarreling indefinitely
than to have him leave her; besides,
he looked so tall and handsome as
well as guiltless as he stood there,
that she began to relent.
"If there is any explanation you
can make she began in concilia-
tory tone, but Gilbert interrupted
her.
"You have heard what said" he
remarked, coldly.
81 suppose you are going to leave
me all alone again. Well, it's about
what might expect" she said, with
Il desperate grasp after her fast flee
ing dignity. 81 don't look for any
81 will bring Eleanor up to stay
with YOU" he said,
81 hate Eleanor" said Dora, vim
dictively.
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid it is the
best ! can do for you"
"You might stay Yourself" she sug.
gested, with hidden face.
"Hardly, under the circumstances;
good-by, Dodo."
With the closing of the door, the
last shred of Dora's dignity vanished
utterly She rushed out and opened
it with determined haste.
"Gil-bert!"
The pitiful little wall reached him
before he was off the step. One long
stride brought him back.
"What is it, Dodo?"
Don't go away, Gilbert. ! do be-
lieve in you, believe in spite Of
everything there is mistake some
where. ! trust you, Gilbert"
Gilbert laughed softly as he took
the trembling little form in his arms,
"Poor little girl. 1t was shame to
tease you 50; but, Dodo,. there must
be no misgiyings or suspicious be-
tween you and me. Now, | am going
to tell you about tonight"
Dora put her fingers in her ears.
NO" she said, 81 don't want you to,
! said trusted you, Gilbert"
"But I insist" said Gilbert, pulling
down her hands; 81 want you to
know. ! was not at the bank tonight
because the work which Mr., Acton
wanted me to do was in his private
Office at his residence, and | was ut
the Keota club because Phil Acton
had carried away the keys Of his ia
Tiers secretary and | followed him
there to get them. That is the whole
story, Dodo.'
ooh, Bertie," she sobbed, hiding her
face, "what must you think of meP"
81 think" said Gilbert, laughing
with sly enjoyment, that you are an
injured woman, but whatever comes
YOU are blamelcss. You, at least will
have nothing to reproach yourself
with"
Colbert LHtimer," said Dora, wrath
fully, 81 think I'd like to take you
over my knee and spank you"
Then they laughed in pure enjoy.
ment, and went out In the dining
room together to make n Welsh rare
bit.
ARCHBISHOP BENSON'S TACT.