The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-15

Should an Engaged Couple Be Completely in
Each Others Confidence
By GERTRUDE HAHN.

/ clearly. that there was something she
wished to conceal from Tim
| II mattered little TO Tom whether that
something were great or small It was
the principle he told himself, that mat
tered
THE woman who doesn't trust the
man she has promised to marry ought
never to have given her promise"
They were Marjorie's own words
Tom smiled bitterly as he recalled
them now"
BY her own showing she doesn't
really care for me-" he thought. with
sinking heart
For whole week Tom brooded in
solitude over the wretehed little Incl
dent He made no attempt to see Mar
jorie. and the seven days seemed ike
seven years
BY the end OF the week his mind was
made up Marjorie had given no sign.
He was persuaded she no longer loved
him. and his duty lay clear before him.
He would 20 to her and offer to release
her from a bondage which must be in
! tolerable to her.
Circumstances favored his resolution
Marjorie was at home-and alone.
She came forward to meet him. eager
ly. with outstretched hands. and a happy
smile on her face.
AT the sight of his look she hest
tated. then her hands fell to her side.
Il was just sitting down to write 70
you, Tom she said. timidly.
Then can save you the trouble" he
returned. unless you prefer to write
what you have TO say"
His tone chilled her, and for a mo-
ment pride struggled with the tender
feelings in her heart
Then, with a sudden impulsive move
Uent. she placed her hands on his
shoulder.
Dick. you dear old boy, 1 want TO
explain" she whispered. II can explain
everything now It's a secret no longer.
That letter" she went on so hurriedly
in her eagerness to be rid OF her trou-
tumbled over one another, that letter
was from Nellie Hastings-you remem-
Der Nellie. don't you7-ani IN II she
asked my advice about an awful thing
she thought of doing. and she said she
trusted to me not to breathe a syllable
TO anyone. and that I was the only living
creature she had dared to tell. After
that l couldn't let you see the letter.
could l. You see. the secret wasn't
mine. and il would have been a breach
OF confidence. wouldn't it,
And Marjorie looked appeaIIngIy at
Tom.
Yes. darling. of course he murmur-
ed contritely-
"Of course wrote of at once to Nellie
imploring her not TO do il: I was bound
TO try 10 dissuade her, wasn't l.
couldn't bear the thought Of her doing
it
Doing what. dearest?"
why. running OF with that dreadful
Bob Harding. Didn't tell you? That's
what she's done"
I'm beginning TO understand" said
Tom.
she begged for my advice" Marjorie
continued, and then. when gave II
her. she didn't take the slightest notice,
but married Bob all the same. I've Just
had another letter from her. They've
run away together, and now they haven't
got farthing. and her father viii never
forgive her. Poor Nelliet Isn't IL hor-
rible2 She says she's perfectly happy in
spite OF everything. Everybody knows
about IL now. but l couldn't tell you De-
fore because Il wasn't my secret. was
ftg''
NO. sweetheart. you were quite right.
and 1 was a fool. I ought to have "a
membered that some secrets have to bs
kept even from the people we love, be-
cause they don't belong 10 US"
But I was 20 blame too. When I
snatched away that letter-Tom. no
wonder you felt hurt-I ought to have
explained. but you were so proud and
angry. and-and-"
And then you began to feel proud and
angry. too concluded Tom, and they
both laughed at the recolleetion-which
was sure sign that they understood
each other perfectly once more.
THE ENID