The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-11-26
A Supreme
Moment D .
BY CAROL RICHMOND
Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Cos

CHE jerked off her gown with an i'm
y patient twitch and threw it upon
the couch, DOMINIC a dainty creation
of lace and ribbon, in the shape of a
wrapper, she flung herself into a
chair to think, dropping her chin into
her appraised palm, she leaned forward
and scowled at her image in the mir
ror.
1t had all been so disarpointing-so
far from what she had pictured-this
meeting with the man she had Tilted
in the days gone by. She had loved
him, o, yes! But when money stepped
between them, offering her a position
in the world, she was not proof against
the tempter. Now she realized what a
mistake it had been, she told herself
sadly. The wedding day was barely
over. The honeymoon had scarce be-
gun ere repentance seized her. A
loveless marriage to be filled in by
gold!
How she sickened at the remem-
brance. And through it all ever rose
in agoniziRg APPEAL the face of the
man upon whose heart she had tram
pied. That was years and years and
years ago. judged by her feelings, but
only three upon the calendar. After
all, time is marked by the ravages it
makes upon our hearts, not by years
When she learned that he was here at
the seaside resort where her summer
home was located, her heart gave one
wild bound and then seemed to stand
still.
Oh, to annul the past! To wipe out
forever these three horrible years!
Her brain reeled at the mere thought
of meeting him again! Of once more
standing face to face with the lover of
her youth. Who knew what might
happen?' If he still cared for her "a
sharp pain assailed her at the POSSIBLE
ity of his not caring) she would sever
these hateful chains which bound her
and be free for his sake!
And now she had seen him! The hot
blood ragged within her at the recollec-
ton of his cool, distant how. And
after she had inveigled him into a cur
tanned retreat no added assurance re-
lieved her; he might have been the
verieSt stranger for all the interest
manifested in her. How she chafed at
the inward sense of impotency Then
came the browning humiliation when
she tried to offer some palliation for
her past conduct; the look of surprised
puzzlement he assumed as if she had
been talking in an unknown tongue.
And his polite, Pardon me. but l d.
not understand" was annihilating
She could have cried out but for her
self respect.
At length she sought to cheer herself
with the thought that he might be
Furnishing her and in time she would
be able to overcome his impenetrabil-
tty. She rose with determination. No.
she would not despair Surely she
could penetrate this pretended insen-
sibility.
Alas! had she only known! His for
setfulness was not feigned
The night her broken faith was re-
vealed to him a miracle had been
WlOu6AI' OIuihOu ny Tue plOW, as
though dealt by physical force, we'll
nigh despairing, he had left her with
a sense of utter defeat. Life seemed q
dismal failure. And wandering on
through the night he scarce knew
where he went, he reached home near
morning worn out in mind and body.
His grief seemed uncomfortable He
walked the room in ceaseless agony. a
foreboding of her unhappiness was
also upon him. He seemed wrought
upon by unseen forces and finally a
calm settled upon him. Utterly ex-
hausted he lay down and sleep came,