The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-09-27

man the feast is spi cad, everything
IN prepared. Her notes are all soft
and low, in harmony with the normal
key; the melody of her fate flows cas-
lily. IL is otherwise with the woman
who finds herself pitched too high
for the usual voice.
"You mean that she seldom mar
rics happily; that, as so few men are
her supcriors, she rarely meets one
who can dominate her, as husband
should. have often though of that
was the quick reply.
("And he told me she was not re-
Eponsive." thought Alison. She said
aloud, choosing her words carefully
for the ice was thin between safety
and betrayal: THAT fatters the clev-
er woman too much. Her superlative-
ness is thing not proven. Probably
the difficulty lies less often in her
failure to find the superior man than
in her failure to please him when she
has found him!"
Mrs. Kynaston look at her moment
before replying.
you can never have failed to please
any man or woman" she observed de-
cisively, 80 don't tell me that. But
you are modest, as all large-minded
and great-hearted people are. 1t has
been a real pleasure to meet you, Miss
Cole. and l have thoroughly enjoyed
our chat. II you will only come to
sec me, should be more than de-
lighted. Will you? My days are first
and second Tuesdays; and IL you could
manage to call early, we might have
a lovely talk before anyone else
comes"
Alison controlled n shudder. Call
on James Kynaston's wife-perhaps
meet him there, in the home that
would have been hers but for the acct
dent of having arrived late upon the
scene of his life. She smiled, and
wanted to scream.
"You are most kind, but / have lit
tie time rarely call on anyone
she protested lamely. Mrs. Kynaston
came to the rescue, in quick recogni-
ton Of her embarrassment.
81 quite understand. OF course
ought not to have asked you. Your
time is so valuable and you must have
so many intellectual and interesting
friends who all want you badly. Besides,
know what constant labor art of any
kind. demands. My husband never
has minute to spare. 1t was the
thought OF him that made me venture
to invite you; for though l am hum
drum. he is not. as you are doubtless
aware, and / believe you would enjoy
a chat with him. Especially as he ad-
mires you so much"
c'Mv God. How can i get away
from her?" thought Alison in despair
She felt her face must burt the truth
to the eyes that watched it with such
absorbed interest.)
"Really-you are-it is very kind OF
| him to say So" she stammered.
80, he has never said so in words
I know from his voice when he men
lions YOU, and from his face wher
anyone else speaks OF you,'' was the
prompt reply. And then there was
moments pause. For all the world
Alison could not have spoken Mrs
Kynaston leaned forward and took
her hand. They were sitting in the
deep bow Of window, behind half
drawn curtains.
"May / make confession to your
she pleaded softly, "and beg your for
giveness? feel that must now, and
clear my conscience. Years ago
about Is years now-that makes u'
both seem old, doesn't it? But yo'
will always be young. Well, had no
been married long, and / was sill,
goose, dreadfully in love with my hus
band, and continually tormenting my
self about him. The fact is, took !
into my head to be jealous--fright
fully jealous-of you, Miss Cole.
thought"-she stopped. Alison hat
drawn her hand away instinctively.
Now you are vcxed, and no won
der. But you will forgive me. You
kind eyes tell me you could not b.
hard on anyone. And / was only
very young wife. You know how
blindly girls adore, how full OF 70
nance they are, and--rubbish. TheI
some one came GO INC and said tina
James-Mr. Kynaston-had been scel
with you at certain place when h
had told me he was going somcwher
else. / lost my head. like the poo
fool / was, and taxed him with de
ceiving me. He seemed confused
grew angry and clustered, as he ha'
never done before, and so-we hat
our first quarrel. Don't you thinl
there was some excuse for me-jus
fraction? For though you were no
famous then, 1 had heard how Lowell.
and attractive you were, and could Sc
that he admired you. IL only needles
that horrid bit of scandal to fan tn
spark into flame. j know l ough
not TO have believed it, but l was
foolish, credulous girl, and-anyhow
was very soon ashamed of my jeal
ousy and suspicion. Can you ever for
give me for wronging you SOP"
Alison tried to speak, but her lip
trembled fatuously. She could onl
| vuuru,ur.