The Delta independent., 1906-03-02

ing gave way taking them both with y,
and leaving him on the broken soes'
safe.".
She covered her face with her handa'
"Oh!" she murmured. didn't Know
What have I dons7"
"Ie told me once" he went On. "tne!
it had left him with the feeling tna!
flre would never touch him. but t1as
to think Of anyone he cared Tor peanS
In Q IRE made hiR-well. whG yoe
saw"
They were silent for an insta0t
"Hullo!" he said suddenly. tnsyys
got the curtain down."
Tho two stood up. Firemsn and 20
licemen were ovsrywhere.
"No danger! No dAngeri"
The words passed from mouth =
mouth, and though they were not strict
~ true, the effect OF the lowered cur
tain WAS magical. The crowd waS pr
csptibly thinner. noticsably calmse. oei
round each exit were g1ueoomo peoe0
Of the violence Of the panie
"Elixabeth!"
They looked at each otAes. s1ts
John" she said family.
YES" he said. and his smile ~:
bitter, "lt's John. Goodbye. Teesse
1t all, Elizabeth. Do you know
looked at his watch-"it'B I'll baN
pened in less than ten minuta!r
"Rsally?" she said. sIt can't b pee
sible." But her syso weee oeasen1ns
for her husband.
The Other Man noticed Il .RisD
bsth!" he said. half shameeAeedly.
"Yes." she answered, her syss ssescf
Ing the crowd.
"You are going to mako uD - HIN
somehow for-for saying that %
himr"
Her eyes softened and she held eut
said gently. "Yes. am going 70 ne1e
know what thought"
elizabeth" He had found her u
last. The Other Man slipped away.
"1've found q way he exclaimed
breathlessly. "Come along
"Oh," she cried, you've hurt your
hand: it's bleeding"
He held out the other to her. NO.
no: It's nothing. I had rather . bothes
with the doors and windowA IhaeD
why I've been 30 long"
She followed him silently.
When they were in their 0afsia0o -
on their way home tnefe va an aWk.
ward silence. Elizabeth had yssf
finished bandaging his hand with tAe
aid of both their handkerchief.
Dear" he said at last. would -
mind telling me why you-you esnsa
me to 20 away?"
She looked At him . reproeeAfai
pout. "Nust you inquire Into an your
wifs's weaknssses?" she asked
Il only wondered-
"Of course" she interrupted, T knew
you would. and ! msaat to tell yun.
Bat you'll dsspise me. You've got 2
very unhsroic wife. JeAa. When
asked you to 90 I was-ahe went oa
stsadiiy-T was nearly dad With
fright, and couldn't bear to have you
to sec It; 80 I said the first thing !!
thought Of to get rid Of you while !
got over It: What did I say?7-I
didn't know what was saying. John.
Butt did get over It."
His face cleared and he bent ana
kissed her. His voice was very tender.
you know-Ae laughed llGht Asase-
thing about Il. I fancied yoa eh0afht
wns IN Q funk about mySsk IL
thought you meant that
0uO DS0SOQ ~ ul0S SuO0 O0HU% ouN
laughing hystsrically and threw her
arms round his neck. ''Oh. yoa dear,
darling old stupidl" sAe cried.
Don't yea know yst that women
never mean what tAsy seem 70 mean"
He made . mock gesture q despair
so now that you seem to mean you
ars-well, rather fond Of ~. Eliza
beth. what % you really DeaA4"
She smiled up at him swif1iy. That
consider yoa Just psfesot" ~ whis-
perSd.
Upstairs N their own roe0. when
he had gone DOWN 70 give nome orders
to the servantA EliEabstA wandered 10
the window. Her eyes were troubled.
Suddenly she knelt down and buried
her face in her hands. God grant -
she supplicated. "that he will never
know-1 do love him. have al
wayp loved him-but that ! should
have thouwht him Afrnidi" Skatch.