Barton County democrat., 1901-10-04

is prepared. Her notes are all soft
and low, in harmony with the normal
key; the melody of her fate flows cas-
lily. Tt is otherwise with the woman
who finds herself pitched too high
for the usual voice.
"You mean that she seldom mar
ries happily; that, as so few men are
4 her superiors, she rarely meets one
who can dominate her, as a husband
should. I have often though ot that,
was the quick reply
(s'And he told me she was not re-
sponsive!" thought Alison. She said
| aloud, choosing her words carefully,
for the ice was thin between safety
| and betrayal: ''That f1atters the clev-
er woman too much. Her superlative-
ness is a thing not proven. Probably
the difficulty lies less often in her
| fail4re 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" "oshe observed de-
cisively, 80 don't tell me that. But
you are modest, as all large7minded
and great-hearted people are. 1t has
been a real pleasure to meet you, Miss
Cole, and I have thoroughly enjoyed
our chat. If you will only come to
see me, should be- more than de-
lighted. VIII you? My days are first
and second Tuesdays; and if you could
managesto call early, we might have
a lovely talk before anyone else
| comes.75
| Alison controlled a shudder. Call
on James Kynaston7s wife-perhaps
meet him there in the home that
would have been hers but for the acci
| dent of having arrived late upon the
scene of his life. She smiled, and
| wanted to scream.
'.You are most kind, but Ishave lit
! tie time rarely call ON anyone"
she protested lamely. Mrs. Kynaston
came to the rescue, in quick recogni-
| ton of her embarrassment.
ST 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
thoaght of him that made me venture
to invite you; for though I am hum
drum, he is not, as you are doubtless
aware, and I believe you would enjoy
chat with him. Especially as he ad-
mires you so much.'
(ssMv Godi How can I get away
from her?" thought Alison in despair.
She felt her face must blurt 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.
so, he has never said so in words.
/ know from his voice when he men
tions you, and from his face when
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 a window, behind half
drawn curtains.
"May L make confession to yOu?'
she pleaded softly, ''and beg your for
giveness? 1 feel that I must now, and
clear my conscience. Years ago
about Is years now-that makes US
both seem old, doesn't it? But you
will always be young. Well, / had not
been married long, and 1 was silly
goose, dreadfully in love with my hus
band, and continually tormenting my
self about him. The fact is, took it
into, my head to- be jealous-fright- !
fully jealous-of you, Miss Cole. l
thought'-she stopped. Alison had
drawn her hand away instinctively.
NOV you are veXed, and no Won
der! But you will forgive me- Your
kind eyes tell me you could not be
hard on anyone And ] was only a
very young wife. You know how
blindly girls adore, how fulf of ro
nance they are, and~-rubbish. Then
some one came to me and said that
James-Mr. eKynaston-had been seen
with you at a certain place when he
had told me he was going somewhere
else.' 1 lost my head, like the poor
fool I was, and taxed him with de-. !
ceiving me. He seemed confused,
grew angry and clustered, as he had
never done before, and so-we had
our first quarrel. Don't you think
there was some excuse for me-just
a fraction? For though you were not
famous then, 1 had heard how lovely
and attractive you were, and could see
that he admired you. 1t only needed
I that horrid bit of scandal to fan the
spark into a flame. 1 know I ought
not to have believed it, but I was
foolish. credulous girl, and-aI1yhows
I was very soon ashamed of my jeal-
ousyoand suspicion. Can you ever for
give me for wronging you SOP"
Alison tried to speak, but her lips
trembled fatuously. She could only
murmur:
''Please, please don't talk like that.
There is nothing to forgive-Iemea
-vOu-vou did not xyron0avo,, did