The Washington times., 1903-02-15

nation, but deny yours. You have taken
the wrong way with me. Edgar. You
have followed me, spied upon my move
ments. ard now you would crown your
presumption by attempting to show me
the folly Of my ways, But I tell you
once for all. that I submit to no dicta-
ton. ! am Old enough to take my own
course. and I want no arguments"
Edgar did not answer his last words
lie only said:
After I read that miserable letter it
seemed TO me as if had lost my ideal.
for you were always my ideal. HaIsey;
you were the one I set myself to imi-
tate from my schooIboy days onward.
And that boyish admiration and conf
dence has never changed-it only grew
stronger with years. But now
( His voice failed.
There was a short pause. When Hal
\ sey spoke again the angry look had
softened. lis voice was more gentle,
though still cold.
You are good boy. Edgar. I am
| sorry l spoke so harshly 20 you. but
I was excited. Forgive my unEind words
and let our conversation end here"
Give me a few minutes now; only
let me show you
There is nothing that you could say
that would have the least effect on my
/ purpose. DO you suppose l could take
such step as L am taking tonight. and
not know all 1t entails? Do you think
/ that with my ambitions. love of social
( prestige, my pride. my sensitiveness to
disapproval-do you suppose I am not
| fully aware OF the consequences Of my
action"
Il think you must be dreaming and
want TO waken you before It is too late. ''
Halsey frowned. Say. rather. that I
am awake at last. and have put aside
some foolish dreams" he said. Il am
starting from no passing impulse. On
the contrary. l have been thinking OF
what I am now doing for weeks"
And YOU are willing to give up every
thing and everybody you once cared for?''
IF you weigh the love of the only
woman in the world who can make my
happiness against everything and every
body yes. more than willing"
You think. then. that the companion
ship OF this woman-faIse wife faith
less mother. treacherous friend Cfor she
knows Edith weID will make you happy
You are not afraid? Afraid that as she
has so easily broken her marriage vows
! She
Not another word, What do you
know about the life she has led with that
brute? -Four years OF torture-a hell
upon earth-and you dare to blame her
for escaping from it, Why, It will need
Ia lifetime Of love and devotion to make
her forget all she has suffered with NAL
lock. But she shall have It-and she de-
serves II, let the world say what it will"
Edgar's eyes lit with sudden resent
ment. What. then. does Edith deserve?
wrongs of Mrs MaIlock made you entire
ly forgetful Of all other rights?''
All, Edgar. you may believe me or
not, just as you choose, but that Is the
only regret have. Yet It all grew out
OF a mistaken idea-a mistake. and moth
ing more. ! was acting ignorantly-I
had always looked up TO your sister. rev
erenced her felt myself unworthy of her
in 81 many ways-and thought that that
was love when it was only worship II
was the alteration | might have given 10
a saint. not the warm, human passion
whose imPetuous tide sweeps away every
barrier and siIences every scrupIe! 1
know the difference only too well now"
Again there was a short silence. broken
by EaIsey.
Now listen to me. Edgar. Your mis-
sion has failed-you can see that-and
your wisest course Will be TO leave the
train and at the first stopping place and
go home. Your presence is not only use
less. it is painful Besides''-he hest
tated a moment shall not be alone
many hours now. and you must not force
! yourself upon her"
And what am l to say to Edith. and
20 my father? Tell them all2"
BY no means. will write tomorrow.
and say all that need be said. You can
return quietly. say nothing OF whore you
have been. and leave The future to shape
itseIf. The less said the easier for Edith.
and I would spare her all unnecessary
pain
You are very considerate, trust
Edith will appreciate your care for her."
THAT viii do. Edgar. Have you any
thing more 10 say?"
What more can I say II you are bent
on self-destruction? II you are de-
! termined--"