The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-05-04

once spoke Of. Father discharged me
as his secretary long ago, and like
the man in the song I've never done
anything since. Oh, yes, I have; /"
The hot blood rushed to Kenpard's
face and his hand on the chair trem-
bled pcrceptibly.
Her fathers secretary! That was
the secret of Culver's memorandum in
her handwriting. That explained
everything. Why had he never
thought Of II before? II would have
suggested itself at once had he had
the manhood, the decency to seek any
explanation or make the slightest in
vestigation. But he had not done so.
He had leaped to the first shameful
conclusion, slutted in it to excess, and
only saved himself from everlasting
humiliation by the merest chance.
What right had he to sit talking to
this girl, knowing what his thought of
her had been? What would she say II
she knew the man whom she hon
ored with her friendship had believed
her party to low conspiracy? If she
had seen the words he had written she
knew this and vet he intruded him
self upon her But he had not allowed
those words to reach her, and, in his
saner moments, he had believed in her
despite the evidence in his possession.
Did not his very presence demonstrate
that he trusted her even in the face
of unexplained facts? In frenzy of
madness he had harbored thoughts
which were not his, and written words
he had repented of and recalled in
time But If she knew all this, would
she be able to pardon? What repara-
tion was possible for an offense which
touched the very roots of friend
ship
Are you listening?"
Kennard started as he heard the
question, and met Miss Harlan's glance
of frank amusement.
I'm afraid I was thinking of some
thing else for the moment. 1t was in
excusably rude, but"
You haven't missed much. / was
merely saying that. at last, I've been
doing something really worth while by
substituting for one of the residents
at the Riverside settlement, and acting
as general utility woman there-posing
one day as teacher, another as IL
brarian and so forth. You've heard
of the settlement, haven't your"
Yes. 1t does splendid work. But
it spols this sort Of thing for one,
doesn't it,"
: He made a sweeping gesture toward
the ballroom.
= "How do you mean?"
II mean that after one has lived
among the poor and seen the life they
lead, this looks like mockery. The
to me as idiotic as standing on ones
head and letting the loose change fall
out of ones pockets, instead of giving
it direct. But suppose the answer
is that We wouldn't give anything at
all, If we weren't allowed to plume
ourselves for our pennies"
Dear, dear me! How gloomy we
sound! And little bit savage, too?"
she asked apprehensively.
{. Kennard nodded, and Leslie shud-
dered as though in terror.
"Ill be very careful" she began tim
idly, "and try not to arouse your ire;
but please growl once or twice before
you pounce! suppose you expect me
to agree that there shall be no more
cakes and ale, because feel bit vir-
tuous about my weeks work. But
don't. like dancing and hope always
shall, and see no reason why we
shouldn't let others have the benefit OF
our play impulses. Going about with
a long face never made any one happy.
AS for this same abused ball, | think
never saw a loyelier picture OF light
and color. So there, Mr.. Savage Sober
sides!"
go on, please. That's just what
need"
"Of course, don't expect you to ac-
knowledge you've been playing part
tonight" she laughed. "The real ar
tist always thinks himself into his
character too deeply for sudder
changes"
Il was wondering" He hesitatet
for moment. I'm not good at pene'
trating DISCUSSES" he added quizzi
cally.
1T requires not talent, only interes
and attention. The actors are seldom
as good as they think they are"
II was wondering whether you eve
play part?"
81 suppose I've done so at times, bu
not very often"
I'm glad of that"
"Why?"
"If told you, I should be accuse'
of trying to make a pretty speech"
"Then please don't. But confess tha
have penetrated your disguise of Gym
ical Critic"
'If | confess, will anything / hav
said be used against me?"
isn't it illegal to offer immunity TO
a confession?"
Perhaps. But II I understand you
theory, we're all of us gentle madmel
at one time or another, saying thing
we don't believe, and acting parts quit
foreign to our best selves, and shoul,
not be held responsible for our mood,
moments"
mo. My theory doesn't go as far a
that don't approve of playing wit
ones moods or letting them play wit
us. and I certainly think we are re
sponsible."
But surely, II I say and do thing
In response to mood which | utterl
repudiate when not under its cOntro
you would not hold me to strict &C
couut ."