The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-19

posing he were guilty, and perhaps, af- ter all, he was not, but even supposing he were, she might have known that the woman-the wife-must inevitably suffer the brunt in the case of detection. Perhaps. after all, he was not guilty! The words recurred again and again to her bewildered brain as they trudged in silence through the black dark and bram- bles.
 Dick" she ventured presently, you must give me back that paper; then, l have a confession to make"
 T should rather think SOL he sneered, diving into his pocket with considerable grace. But first he held the paper away from her extended fingers for a second. you must promise me to destroy the infamous thing-and at once"
 Constantine guiped. T promise she acauiesced, receiving 1t tremulously, T will burn 1t as soon Gs I get to my room"
 He spoke dryiy.
 "You'll not be angry, dear?"
 T don't exactly see how I'm to avoid that"
 "But-but 1t isn't what you imagine at all. Dick. Not a bit. Of course I can understand what you think and why you think it-but you musn't-oh, you musn't. Let me explain" She paused, all out of breath and clung to him in an agony of entreaty.
 He regarded her sravely by the lights that glimmered softly from the grounds beyond. Certainly; I am anxious for an explanation" he replied, stiffiy. "Un- doubtedly, I should be more than reliev- ed to have this-mystery cleared up." Constantine caught her breath in a liL- | tie choking way. and broke directly into the subject. T found it-the paper" she said, speaking rapidly, lon the front ve- randa. after everybody had gone-this morning. I thought-I was sure that it ] was meant, had been meant for you and that-and that-it was written by that detestable little cat. Cary Fleming. Oh. I hate her and I'm glad. glad, glad she's going away!'
 | And so-you stopped to petty jealousy | ito petty suspicIon-to petty intention | to eavesdrop-to-" He shrugged and laughed in a cutting little fashion that sent the blood racing to Constantina's face and lips. She shivered pIteously in the cool wind that had suddenly sprung up.
 "oh. Dick" she cried, remorsefully. q ought not, I know. but 1t was all because | loved you so, and I was mad-half- cTazed to think" She burst into nerv- ! ous sobbing.
 Couldn't you forgive me?" she asked after awhile. looking up at him through tear-bright eyes.
 Why, as to that, I suppose so I am only too glad to be assured that 1t is nothing worse. You can see for yourself that I might perfectly we'll have believed | otherwise. There's one provision I wish to make. however This subject must not again be alluded to between us. It muet never be known to anyone that you have mistrusted me so grossly. You must never doubt me again. Constantine. Do you agree?"
 ''To everything she answered in a low voice. Dear, dearest I've been a foolish unforgivable little fool" she nur- rieo on. but I do want you to say just once that you forgive me- Well, then, I forgive you" he recited with an indulgent little laugh. Constantina lifted her lips to his. sud- denly; he bent suddenly and kissed them.
 They passed silently through the low iron gate. up the wide gravel path and onto the veranda where the rest were assembled for the evenings pastimes.
 She did not stop longer than a minute, ut hurried up the broad length of stairs and gaitned the shelter of her own room. She went first to the long cheval mirror and stood for some time regarding her self critically. Her eyes were very, very gray and eloquently bright and her cheeks were beautifully pink and fresh The pile of hair that tumbled pictur- esquely over her forehead. stood some what awry. but none the less golden and splendid. Her heart was beating tu- multuously under the fun of lace above 1t; below. the cloud-like ruffies of her gown hung snagged and dripping with dew.
 She smiled; then laughed. It was a cu- riously happp little laugh. full of relief and gladness and love Suddenly she thought of the paper. She must burn 1t immediately; she had promised Dick that she would do so. She walked over to the open fireplace. A blue and red mass of coals huddled sleepily in the grate.
 Constantine opened her palm slowly, and eyed the cru. pied scrap of paper with deprecative eyes. "I wonder" she unused, unfolding 1t mechanically. "I won der who could have written it. anyway and to whom 1t was written? No one else came-there. Perhaps I can trace a re- semblance" She smoothed out the creases with careful fingers and read:
 Impossible for me to get to the branch before 9:SO. Wait for me.
 "C."
 An instant her lashes fickered; the pa- per slipped from her nerveless fingers and lay unheeded on the floor. Minutes passed. Presently, she stopped, quite calmly. and picked 1t up and laid 1t on the coals. She watched 1t curl and black en and sift to ashes. Then she turned away and went downstairs to rejoin her guests.