The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-02-01
CHAPTER NVU

Pelling paused and looked attentively
at the young man. He knew there was
not much generosity in giving Ethel up,
as he could not marry her himself dur
ing the lifetime Of his wife, and, hav-
ing plenty OF true manliness, he did not
mean 10 make any show of the mise-a-
bic pain that was gnawing at his heart;
but he felt he should like to know what
sort of man this was whose path he
intended TO smooth for him as far as lay
in his power; and. while be thought of
this. the memory of Ethel's face, panied
and sorrowful as he saw it when she
made TO him her confession of love for
this DorntOn came suddenly before him,
and he knew that the greatest kindness
he could do her would be TO restore her
lover. Presently he said, abruptly:
You have nearly broken Ethers
heart"
Jack flushed furiously, and half rose
from his chair. Polling motioned to him
to keep calm.
II asked you to be patient with me-"
be reminded Jack. MY motive should
excuse me TO you. The pith of The whole
matter is this-was the engagement be-
tween you and Ethel broken of in con-
sequence Of your infatuation for nv
wife, or had you ceased to care for her
before you met Pauline? AS man to
man. I ask you for a truthful answer"
''I can't for the life of me understa nd
by what right" began Jack. hOtly.
'*For heavens sake. don't waste time
in splitting straws when so much is at
staker' Polling said. impetuously. "You
can't understand my right TO interfere ?
L.. MI NJ
never loved, never shall love. never be-
lieved 1t possible to love; and until this
morning / had the hope of making her
my wife some day, when she had had
time TO forget you. l think my love for
her gives me the right to do what I can
to secure her happiness: and believe her
happiness rests with you. 1 can't have
her myself. or l dc not think / could
be unselfish enough TO give her up. /
might. but I don't think il. Now TO re-
turn TO our point-was your infatuation
! for my wife the only cause of the es-
arrangement between you twoT
Jack was greatly impressed. as he I'M
derstocd now why Polling spoke with so
much effort. and be felt touched by his
devotion Added to this was the feel
& ing of shame that had oppressed him
ever since his talk with Lord Summers.
"Come-you needn't mind confessing
your weakness to me-" Polling went on.
encoura gingly. "Bless you. man. l know
how Pauline can twist any man round
her finger if she likes to try! | sup
.ose she was smitten with you. and
spread her nets to snare you, and you.
not seeing the snare. found yourself
enamored of her without knowing how
+. truth were known. when the first mad
\ burst was over. and you thought out
things quietly, you would have given a
good deal never to have seen her at all.
and wished you had behaved differently
to Miss Mallett-
Jack jumped up. his face beaming,
and wrung Pelling's hand.
'T could not say it myself. but that
Is really just how it has been with me.
am not good at expressing my feelings;
but I know you are behaving very well
to me-much better than deserve-and
thank you. And now what do you wish
me to do?'
"Go right away for a few months.
Write to me now and again. and l viii
take care that Miss Mallett hears what
ever Is likely to be of use to you. Give
her time to forget the indignity you have
put on her and her love- I shall be
ON hand In the character of a benevolent
patriarch, and the moment / see signs
favorable to our plot I will bring about
meeting. The rest will lie with your
self"
How can thank your
"You owe me no thanks. Relieve your
s mind on that point. What l am doing
I do out Of my sincere wish for Miss
Mallett's happiness If you really think
you owe NE anything pay it in kindness
to your wife after you are married Here
a luncheon. We will talk By and by
1 e your immediate plans"
81
3 When they had finished luncheon and
lack had LEFT, Polling laid down on the