The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-20
Our Daily Short Story

all. And everything the packet contain
ed was the seal-ring Doris had given
him and one or two trivial little orna-
ments of hers he had brought with him
to the Philippines.
He was unconscious ut the last" he
replied after q silence.
Mrs. Benton looked at him earnestly.
| "But-bef fore that?" she insisted with I'M
disguised eagerness.
He met her eyes without finching now.
EYES," he said. there was something"
Tell me-" she leaned back her chair,
folding her hands tentatively. Tell me
everything" she went on with little
catch in her voice. II want to know the
truth. Jack"
Pearson remained silent for some time.
The truth he could not tell her; II must
be lie or nothing. The lie was safer.
He said," he answered, slowly. Tell
Doris my last thought and wish and
prayer-were for her."
Mrs. Benton turned tear-misted eyes
paled again. After little she rose rest
lessly and crossed the room to an open
window. For long time she stood there
mute, staring out into the rapidly thick
ening dark.
Minutes passed. and clock somewhere
struck seven. Pearson started to his feet
with a little exclamation of alarm.
"I really must be going" he explain
ed, hurriedly, my train for the South
leaves in forty minutes"
Mrs. Benton turned tear-misted eyes to
his. She opened her lips to speak. but
the words refused to come, and her lips
quivered suddenly. She held out both
hands to him in the little impulsive way
that belonged to her.
Pearson held himself in check by a
fYl nln
hers with a restrained pressure.
"Good-by," she said brokenly. You
are more noble than can tell you-more
than you will ever know" She paused
and turned away for a second. When
she had controlled herself she looked up
again into his eyes that searched hers
so earnestly. II had not meant to tell
you. Jack" she went on, TREMENDOUSLY,
but something that cannot resist. i'm
pels me to do so. I know-all. and a
good deal besides that you never dream.
ed of. He Is dead now, and hereafter,
my lips must be sealed against him. But
this much you must know. He did you
the greatest injustice one man may do
another. He lied-to steal me from you,
and /, like a credulous fool, fell into the
trap. You have lied-but to save him
from dishonor in my eyes, and to save
me from shame and sorrow. Thank you,
Jack, and-good-by again." A culver ran
through her and she turned from him
suddenly, breaking into a storm of sobs.
Pearson hesitated a second; a strange,
glad light pushed its way through the
cloud in his eyes. He moved over to
where she stood. and for moment, him.
self stood looking down at her bowed
head.
After bit, she glanced up abruptly,
brushing back the hair from her face
with little nervous gesture. Something
Notwithstanding that he had
seen in her eyes hundred times before
In the years that were past-trembled
vaguely through their Swallowed blue. He
held out his arms
And you never really"
Hush, dear. He is dead now, and
after all--he was my husband"
His arms closed about her. e
I'm afraid" remarked Lieut. Pearson
after while, that am going to miss
my train" He laughed
Doris Benton lifted her head for a brief
second. And does it matter so very
much?" she asked.
IF you can be ready to go with me to-
morrow-no,' he said.