Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-24
Between
Two
Shores
! W. rev
(cUNTINUED.l

wen. pci!c' IN me II you choose, "
he said. ut won't do any harm even
II 1t doesn't do any good"
During the next few days he nursed
her with constant care. When she
came out in the morning she found
him waiting at the foot Of the stairs.
ready to assist her on deck. When she
went down ut night 1t was his arm
upon which she leaned and his voice
that wished her Good night" before
her stateroom door. Her meals were
served outside, and she soon found that
his watchfulness extended to host of
trivialities.
1t was not confidential companion
ship. Sometimes they sat for hours
without speaking and again he attack
ed her with aggressive irony. At such
| times she smarted beneath the sting Of
his sneers. but it was more in pity for
him than for herself. He seemed to
carry In his heart seething rage Of
| cynicism. impassioned II impotent.
When II broke control. as 1t often did.
It dashed alike the just and the unjust.
the sinner and the sinned against. 1t
| did not spare the woman for whose
comfort he sacrificed himself daily In
dozen minor ways. 1t was as If he
hated himself for the interest she in
spired and hated her for inspiring 1t.
He appeared to resent the fact that
the mental pressure under which he
labOred had not annihilated all pOssi-
bility of purer passion. And he often
closed upon u gentler mood with burn
Ing bitterness.
How about your faithT" he inquired
one day after passing tenderness.
.Is 1t still the evidence Of virtues not
| visible Ia me-"
She finched. as she always did at
his fippancy. There Is circumstan-
| tial evidence OF those" she replied.
sufficient to confound jury"
There was Il cloud upon his face.
'Of the 'ministering angel kind, sup
pose" he suggested.
"Yes."
"Your judgment Is warped" he went
on. do you expect to convince by
such syllogisms as: IL Is virtuous TO
make presents OF prunes: he makes
me presents Of prunes; therefore be Is
| virtuousi"
She looked at him with wounded
eyes. That is not kind Of you" she
said.
But. my dear lady. I am not kind.
That Is what | am arguing for"
Her lips closed firmly. She did not
answer.
Il. the assertion admittedY' be In
Quired.
Her mouth quivered. He saw Il. and
his mood melted.
DO you mes1 to say" he asked, ad-
justing the rug about her shoulders
aud regarding her with an intent gaze.
that Il makes any difference to your
The fragment OF a sob broke from
her. ''Of course II makes difference.
she answered. toto be treated So"
II Ills uluu tIosfu o'NA e1S no
and rested against her shoulder.
why does II make q difference" he
demanded.
She stammered c0nfusedly. BE.
cause-because II does" she replied.
His face was very grave. The hand
upon her shoulder trembled. II hope
II does not make difference" be said.
Look. There Is sail"
They rose aud went to the railing,
following with unseeing eyes a white
sail that sl.irted the horizon. At the
vessels side porpoises were leapin2
on the waves. She leaned over, her
eyes Frightening. her loosened hair
blowing about her face in soft brown
strands. There was pink flush In
her cheeks. Il should like to be a por'
poise," she said, land to skim that blue
water In the sunshine. How happy
they are"
"And you are not"
The flush died from her cheeks. III
Oh, no." sEe answered.
He leaned nearer. His hand brushed
hers as it lay upon the railing.
"Did love make you happy!" he ask
ell suddenly.
SIZE raised be. lashes. and their eyes
met. Love-" she repeated vaguely.
THAT husband Of yours" he ex
p!ained almost harshly. did you love
him."
Her gaze went back to the water. A
wistful tremor shook her lips. HE
was very good to me-" she replied.
"And ! suppose you loved him be
cause he was good. Well, the reason
suff1css."
She looked at him steadily. Because
he was good to me-" she corrected
Then she hesitated. "But I did moi
love him in the way you mean," she
added. II know now that I did not"
"Eh" he calculated half absentlJ
and then, How do you know it?"
She turned from him, looking aftel
the vanishing sail. Just visible In thu
remote violet Of the distance. "Thert
are many ways
His eyes rested upon the soft out
line II her ear, half hidden IN he
blown hair. What are they?
She turned her face still farther from
him. 1t made no difference to me,
she said, whether he came or went
II wearied me to be with him, ana
was very selfish. When he kissed MI
1t left me cold"
His gaze stung her sharply. "And
, YOU loved some one" he said. 1T woul'
make great difference to you whethe
he came or went? 1t would gladdel
YOU to be with him, and when D.
kissed you it would not leave yo'
cOld?''
"I-I think so," she answered.
He bent toward her swiftly thel
checked himself, with sneering laugh
"I'n give you a piece Of valuable al
vice." he said. Don't allow yoursei
to grow sentimental. 1t Is awful rot.
And he threw himself into his chaiI
He drew a notebook from his Docke'
Hoods SarsapariIIa