The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-10-31

made as though to rise, but she shook
her head, and. turning to Constance and
speaking quickly, she went on: Il list
eEed. | don't know what made me, but
couldn't help it. | heard what you
were saying about me. and / stayed to
but | did it, and we might as we'll be
honest. 1t doesn't make any difference
to me what people say. Do you suppose
haven't heard things? But do you
think | care for every little bit Of Cos
sip?'
I saw Constance's lips tighten at the
words. but Helen did not notice. Invol-
unfairly | glanced out at the bay again.
The sparkle had gone out of the water.
and it had begun to get gray. The boat
was in full view. but it was moving
slowly. and | could see that the breeze
was dying out. Even as | thought of it,
the little vessel went about on the star
board tack. the white sail tapped twice
in tired way, and then hung limp while
the boat rocked in the swell. Helen was
talking earnestly.
''Am l not better able to judge of the
man / care for than lot of people who
don't understand him? Do you suppose
would marry MIN if I didn't l"~" him
and know that he is good and strong and
manly? And if some of my friends
don't like him or have spite against him.
him up? If he needs me and | can help
him and make it possible for him to live
his life better, to be a truer man to HIM
self and the world. why should l care
what people say? You think you know
him. but you don't. | understand him.
| have seen him as you have not seen
him. | know his troubles and what he
has had to contend with as you do not.
and. above all that and more than all
that. | love him, and | know that he
loves me-"
She stood up strong as she said this
Her bosom swelled with her woman's
courage, and her eyes were lit with Il
fire that had never seen there. Surely,
if ever the love Of Il woman could help
Il man, here was the sort that could.
And for the moment | had hope
Outside the boat lay quiet; but sud.
denly there seemed to come puff of
wind or the beginning of a breeze, for
rounded out and the little craft began to
move very slowly over the water toward
home. Helen W as talking again.
I'm sorry this has happened the way
it did, but perhaps it is better to under
stand one another now. For myself, |
haven't any excuse. and if | had you
oughtn't. to accept it. shall so back
tonight
But Helen and Constance started
to her feet ''You know we meant it
for the best, and Wen forgive you-the-
the slip-please stay, -perhaps-per-
haps-if we talk"
Helen tapped impatiently with her foot
and her face flushed Il think we had
better not talk about anything" she said.
Il think we understand each other You
would have me discuss the man I love
best in the world. To consent to dis
cuss him would be to say that I do not
trust him, and | do. If you love your
husband beyond believing any i'll of him,
let me do the same for the man who is
to be mine. I'm sorry" Here the
first flicker of smile came upon her
lips-"Im sorry my visit has turned out
so badly, but there is no other way aft
er what has happened"
Helen half turned. Remember, lis
tened" she said, and there was scorn in
her voice at herself. "Goodnight."
And a minute later I heard the brush
Of her skirts on the steps outside. Con
stance came back to the table, and [
could see the CLEAN of tears on her
lashes.
Its terrible" was what she said.
Poor girl | answered. ''she's proba-
bly, worried to death. He would be a
very good man who would show himself
worthy of her,
Perhaps we are mistaken; perhaps she
does know better than we; perhaps she
will be happy"
Perhaps" said I; perhaps, bit I'm
afraid And then I thought Of what
had died cut [ looked at the marine.
The boat was still in the picture. 1t lay
quiet; the sail hung limp. The wind had
blown parting gust to tantalize the
mariners and then departed. And as |
looked q man went to the halyards and
the sail was lowered. There was no
prospect. of breeze.-Boston Evening
Tran ScriDt