Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-10-04
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.,

''Who do you mean? There are very
few people lOve-only one woman-save
THAT is the woman mean" she said,
bending her head.
My mOtheri"
He seemed to wait for an answer.
None came.
''Monica!-why are you silent?'' he de-
manded in a strained voice. Il said this
was some fancy-you can't expect me to
believe that"
"Oh, don't make me stab you again
and again" she broke out. Il wanted
TO be silent-I could break my heart for
you'll could not break yours!'
MY darling!-forgive-co to me-
He opened his arms-the girl flung her.
self into them.
"Ernestl Don't hate met she sobbed
"No-hush! my heart! But someone
else. it must be-nOt you nor She
ASK her! Ask heri You made ME tell
why should she take her own-why
should she hate yOu-why make me suf-
fer? She loves me-you see, darling, this
is another mistake-we have been tear
ing our lives to pieces for nothing-you
bearing martyrdOm--"
oh, no-not martyrdom-for you"
said Monica, in broken accents. Per
haps | can tell you how | am sure"
Essington loosed her a little. His
heart grew sick at her next words
she loved you so much that no one
else must come between you and her.
She disliked me from the tirst-she I'M
derstoOd you. She probably has the
money now. The key was not mine, and
l know it wasn't in the drawer before
that day. The man who came was a
client of mine, and fetched away some
work | had done for him. Your house
was more convenient for him to call at
than mine"
why didn't he speak for you? He
must have seen the case" said Essing-
ton.
Il knew he would not see it, or l
should not have ventured on what | did
That same day he sailed for South
America. BY the time he got there, even
if he saw the English papers, the case
would be closed That was one reason
why | would not have a trial"
Esslngton remembered his mothers
objections to the new typist, and how
they had puzzled him. and surely a
woman with the courage to sacrifice her
self as Monica had done would not be
likely to act on chimera-an imagina-
ton. His first impulse had been to de
clare it was impossible to insult his
mother by questioning her; his everyday
sense immediately saw that Monica
could only be cleared by the confession
of the guilty persOn-whoever that was.
He covered his face with his hands
he was paying a heavy price for the
woman he loved. But Monica under
stood-she knelt by him in mute sympa-
thy, for she knew he could not bear n
word, even from her. Presently, without
moving, he said
But what proof have you of this?
My mother is surely too wise for so wild
a scheme. If it succeeded. STILL could
she guarantee to always keep me? If &
man loses one woman, he may win an
other"
Some men," said Monica.
ESsington dropped his hands.
What does that mean!' he asked
Am l more constant than others?"
"Yes-and l think your mother knows
that. You ask for proof. | have no
tangible proof-nOthing to call evidence.
That is partly why l would not speak.
| hOped-I tried to. at any rate-that
you would cast me out. Then you need
never have this bitter pain you are suf-
fering now"
Essington. as she still knelt, drew her
TO him.
You only tried to hope l was so
faithless," he said. you could not
compass belief. Wrong finds an outlet
whether | knew the truth or believed
lie"
Il could not tell quite which was the
stronger love-" said the girl in a low
voice. Mine seemed the better way
perhaps it was not. Even now, | could
y
"Hush-never say that! If you had
been the merest stranger, justice is JUS
tlce, and the innocent should not bear
the burden of someone else's guilt. Tell
me why you feel so sure of this-this-
about my mother"
My reasons may melt if put into
words said Monica, only that, as /
told you. | am certain the key had not
previously been in my drawer. | think
your, mother chose 4 time when only l,
beside yourself was in the room, to
speak about the money. Her visit to
Hampstead, | think, was purposely I'M
dertaken, and her return, earlier than
expected, timed to anticipate yours. The
rest is too subtle TO congratulations
impressions, looks and tones. and omis-
sions. They would have been nothing to
you-you believed in her as your mother.
| had the key of her dislike 10 me-"
ut is terrible, Monica He shud-
dered like a woman and almost clung to
her in his agony.
She closed her eyes in silent effort
for strength. She was tempted to whis-
per: Let it be-you trust me; that is
enough; let us remain friends, and the
rest may 60" But it was only a tempta-
ton. Life in such a FOOLS paradise
would be impossible, and worse than full
knowledge
A long silence followed, during which
Fssington partially changed his attitude
-clinging to the girl less. and, instead,
gathering her in closer grasp. Monica
would not speak. Sine waited for him.
II must see her he said at last.
That is the only thing-ask her, abide
by her answer. l ought to forgive my
own mother. who if she has sinned has
done it for love of me. You will forgive.
l know. my own darling!"
"a thousand times over" said Monica
fervently.
He lifted her face and kissed her lips
many. times. Presently he loosed her
slightly.
Tell me about yourself. dearest he
said-'how you have Jared. how lived.
all these months. Has the time been as
weary to you as 10 me? I have been
fighting against myself. You have not
tried to forget me. have vouT'
She shook her head. She shrank from
him, saying that the memory Of him was
all She had to live on.
What are you doing now?" said Ess-
lngton, where are You working"
She told him-long hours and very
moderate pay: but her employers were
Pleasant and considerate. She did very