The Washington times., 1903-02-15

Eo4lh Nouid not let NE ask you at nrSts
she"
"Edith. Does Edith know? Has she
known all the timer" interrupted Hal
sey. his pale face suddenly crimson. his
eyes bent on the floor
Yes. why not? Whom else had I to
show my grief7 And in the first shock
OF my discovery told her all"
"Oh. 1 am sorry did not want her
to know would have kept it from her.
not for my sake tut for her own Hal
sey groaned.
The only reason for keeping it from
her would have been for Edgsr's sake.
Of course, but il was impossible Tell
me truly. how long had this folly been
going on? Why did you not take coun-
sci With me at frst?"
Tow can answer such questions?
It is impossible, as ! have told you
already. Besides. il can do no good
now-everything is ended. and it IS left
to you to pass sentence
Il have no sentence 20 pass. HaIsey.
As far as my forgiveness goes IL Is full
and free. All anger died out Of my heart
when I stood by Edgar's grave. and left
only an undying SORROW in its place"
Then you pity me-you do not think
me altogether to blame7~ asked HaIsey
eagerly Mr. Forrest looked surprised.
why should I blame you because he
meditated a great wrong?'
what wrong?"
"HaIsey. you irritate me with these
subterfuges. You know that Edgar went
to meet another mans wife that night
you know she left her husband to elops
with him Can YOU deny this?"
Il can. and I do You are mistaken.
terribly. utterly mistaken" exclaimed
Halsey. Edgar took that journey for a
very different purpose. and"
Can you tell me that purpose?' in
terrupted Mr.. Forrest incredulously
Hslsey had suddenly checked himself
He had been on the brink Of a fun con-
fession when Mr.. Forests last question
interrupted him In that momentary
pause it occurred to him that perhaps
the elder man did not know as much as
he thought he knew And in that case a
discreet silence might yet save him from
the disclosure he dreaded more and more.
So he kept silent until Mr.. Forrest said
impauentIy:
"WH you tell me the purpose for
which he went. if I am mistaken"
rs it not sufficient if I tell you that
Edgar's az was a noble one. pure. unset
FISH as his Hfe2 Won't you believe me2
On my honor my sacred honor. tell you
So"
Mr.. Forrest looked at him sorrowfully
for a moment. without speaking Then
he unlocked a drawer in his desk. took
out crumbled note. and held it up. say
ing quietly:
Il am sorry I cannot believe you, Hal
sey. but this letter makes il impossible.
found it in poor Cigars pocket. and
it tells its own story, despite your ef
forts to screen him. Better read it,
holding out the paper. Though II you
had not known what it says. how could
you have followed him2''
HaIsey's sudden exclamation as he put
out his hand for the paper was his only
answer. In an instant he had realized
Mr.. Forests mistake. and IL had stupe-
fed him. But the other was still speak
ing. and he tried to listen.
And for that attempt 10 save him
1 shall ever be grateful 10 you. Halsey.
As Edith says. it was just like you. just
what she would have expected yeu to
do. AS soon as you knew the folly and
the wrong he proposed. you followed
him TO win him back-to save him from
himself. And TO think how nearly you
lost your own life in the attempt, But
Edith must reward yOu-for I cannot"
And HaIsey, holding in his hand the
letter whose every word he knew so
we'll, listened IN a tumult OF self-eon-
tempt and fear What should he say
The way of deliverance was open before
him. but II was also the way OF dis
honor. To leave Cigars father and sis
ter in Their error, TO cast this stain on
Edgar's memory. would be the basest
treachery. He could not. would not. do
it,
Yet 10 take the only honorable course
and confess the truth would cost MN 100
much, He would lose Edith-of that ne
felt sure-the gulf his revelations would
omen betU cen them would be forever i'm
passable He would despise himself IL he
took advantage Of this deception. yet
how could he give her up?
He sprang suddenly to his feet and
walked 10 the door. regardless Of MIR.
Forests Inquiries and protests Turn
ing back as Ne opened IL. he said hur-