Evening journal., 1900-02-26

reached Helen's ears, and the poor
girl was thrown into a state of mind
that could be endured no longer.
"Ohr she sighed, as II protesting
to herself. "Dick-and that Mrs. Rob
iLsOn-oh.-it cannot be truel And
yet l have felt that he was changing
toward me. He has not been here for
three days. Oh, what shall l doi l
viii not believe IT, l win mott / viii
SC and call on Mrs. Robinson this very
day. so that-that people won't think
/ am Jealous Dick, how could your
Bitter tears filed her eyes. but she
wiped them away determinedly. Slow
ly she rose and went to her room, and
there dressed herself with care, as wO-
men always dress for the benefit OF
their rivals. She was tall and stately,
with cloud Of ruddy hair and bril-
liant gray eyes, softened by long dark
lnshes. When she gazed at herself IN
the mirror she was well satisfied that
her severe tailor gown showed her
Z beauty to good advantage.
In ten minutes she sat in Mrs. Robin
sons little French drawing-roOm. and
I'm a few minutes the owner Of it was
welcoming her vivaciously.
Mrs. Robinson was small, dark and
very chic. Helen's heart sank as she
looked at her rival. The little widow,
taking no notice, apparently, Of her
visitors rather stiff manner, was chat
ting away, making commonplace re-
marks requiring no answers.
Il am going to tell you what love
ly gown you have on" she said. do
you know, when / was a girl at school,
we had lady principal, tall, stately
I4...N
social advantages. one day, as she
was giving a group Of US some points
on etiquette, as she called them, she
said that there were three Ds never
mentioned in polite society," We all
waited, really expecting her, / think,
to begin with the devil; but no. dis
ease. dress and domestics constituted
her list. You know how schoolgirls
give nicknames; we christened her
Polite Society then and there. The
memory of that absurd little incident
clings to me yet. and whenever / am
tempted to comment on some lovely
gown I always feel n sense of guilt"
She laughed and went on: "You are
so tall. Miss Easton, YOU put me at a
great disadvantage, and l really think
that's the most cruel thing one woman
can do to another.
Helen Easton leaned forward.
"No, Mrs Robinson" she said, her
voice vibrating with emotion and her
hands gripping the arms Of her chair.
"rhat is not the most cruel thing one
woman can do TO another. When a
woman. BEAUTIFUL and young, knows
that another woman loves a man, and
that he is pledged 10 her, and she still
tries TO lead this man away from the
one who loves him-truly, that is the
most cruel thing" Her voice broke,
but she went on: "And-and-that
poor creature who sees her lover taken
from her-can you imagine her misery,
her powerless misery2 That broken
heart viii lie at the door of the-the
other woman"
. Her words were a mere whisper, and
her gray eyes were brimming with
: tears. She rose unsteadily. The little
widows eyes were misty, too, and heI
tone was also low.
/ "But, remember, Miss Easton, in
! fatuation is not love-"
For n moment they stood in silence
Then Helen said:
Il must 60"
, "Wait a moment" said Mrs. Robin
. son. She went over 10 the piano and
lOON from n vase II Hltdl tlucltI ol
E Merinet roses. saying with emotion
'Trhese should be yours. Let me give
? them to YOU"
they fell into each others tender EN-
brace. and then parted, each too mucl
E overcome TO trust herself TO speak.
t The little widow stood at the win
> dow and watched Helen 90 down th'
, street
e Il told the TRUTH" she said to her
/. self 1T is only infatuation-witl
4 him. But with me-Alasl / am ex
/. lperienced and know what love is.
am happy only in the thought that
e do not believe that he loves me-
E Sophia Gates Kerr, in Times-Herald.
4 Two sides