Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-11-12
Wltb Hll
Dis faults.
BY ETHEL HARRINGTON
Copyrighted. 1907. by NJ. NJ. Cunningham.

destroys linen," declared Katherine
sententiously.
Despite which epigram you will
marry Kenneth Hadley," scoffed her
friend. The two girls had paused at
the corner Of the street, where Kath-
crime intended taking car. 1t was
not in sight, so she turned to finish the
discussion.
"Why notY she asked. 81 am not
the woman to give ground for jeal-
ousy, while Kenneth, on his part.
knows | would never forgive unjust
suspicion, which is what jealousy
amounts to. Real love insures per-
feet trust and faith"
"With some natures, possibly. But
Kenneth Hadley could no more help
being jealous where he loves than he
could stop breathing and live" re-
torted Mildred. "Why, at the Meres-
dale euchre party every one but you
could see''-
"Then he must have concealed his
feelings admirably" declared Mr..
Hadley's fiancec for he said nothing
to me-"
"Some day he WILL"
Katherine Felix shook her head.
"Doubt Is degrading, and happiness
cannot exist in its atmosphere. MIL
dred. I'll he frank. Kenneth and | did
once have a wretchcd understanding
which came near separating us.
warned him then that such scenes
would kill whatever sentiment ! cher
ished for him. In becoming his wife
I do not relinquish my individuality.
He takes me. rs | accept him, soul
matured, giving to him closer inti-
macy than to any other, yet with nat
ural reservations. We come into the
world alone, depart alone. So must
there always be silent places In our
lives to which even the nearest can
have no key"
Her friend unconvinccd, started to
say goodby. but returned impulsively
to the charge.
Theoretically, Katherine, there Is
truth In your argument. Jealousy Is
no temptation to you. Should you
meet Kenneth walking with girl ]
doubt If 1t would occur TO you to even
ask her name. Your error Is making
secrets Of nothing
The others eye flashed resentfully.
"You say that because ] would not
tell you where am going now"
NONSENSE It's none OF my affair.
But suppose you had met Mr.. Hadley
instead?"
"I should have declined to explain
Then, the emergency Of her errand re-
CURING to her mind. she added: Here
comes my car. Goodby. Mildred. !
wonder II It would not have been bet
ter had Kenneth met you first: You
would have yielded to his exactions so
graciousiy' With Il smile at the
others Indignant protest, she motioned
to the motorman.
Reaching her destination. she en-
tered large manufacturing establish.
ment Sending In her card 10 the ad-
vertising manager, she was mt once
shown into his private Office.
Half an hour later, returning home.
she encountered Hadloy. who plainly
showed his delight at the unexpected
meeting.
What luck brings you to this part
Of town." he inquired.
Business" was the light response.
(which. In woman's vocabulary.
means pleasure" A quick look
showed lie was conscious OF the eva
sion. though he did not press the
point. "WiSh could return with you,
but an appointment forblds. How
dusty II Is! Give me your handker.
chief. Kathc. There's rude black
smudge dangerously near your eye"
Katherine laughed and. feeling for
her handkerchief without success. re.
marked that she must have dropped II
somewhere. adding. Use yours" At
his compliance she thanked him.
nodded goodby and was gone.
She was seated ut the piano drawing
soft melody from its keys In the mel
low light of the shaded lamp when
Iadley arrived. lie watched her for
some momcRts before she discovered
, his presence Then she swung round
gnyly on the stool. with extended
hands.
Come aud kiss me, which ceremony
you omitted when we last met"
As he crossed toward her something
In his expression made the girl draw
back from the invited caress.
What Is the matterT she asked.
"Fve brought back your property"
He tossed crumpled bit Of linen into
her lap. A large X embroidered show
ed conspicuously in one corner.
"My handkerchief! Thanks! Where
did you find it?'
"You ask that? Tell me rather what
takes my promised wife to visit
Charles Truax."
81 answer no question put in such a
tone"
"It is my right to know" The mans
eyes took angry measure Of her resist
ance. Il put the same question this
afternoon, and you evaded It, thought
when you insisted on your rights and
privileges that your little secrets were
no concern Of mine. What do | find?
, That you have been closeted in the pri-
yate office of married man, an old
, fame Of yours. Truax refused an ex-
planation. What have you to say2 A
woman Of leisure, you cannot plead
business in factory as an excuse"
"You go too far
"No; it is you! love you as my
life, and you drive me mad with
doubts. Knowing. my weakness, you
play upon it. I will have the truth,
or
Katherine's face. gazing white and
passloniess In his, arrested nim
"Kathe," he pleaded, II can't stand it.
Right or wrong, you must have no
secrets from me. It's torture'-
"Ar. .ument % useless, kcnneth"-
Kathcrine's voice was rs cold rs her
look-"qri,e useless. II | told you
this. there would be sometliin. else to-
morrow. | am not the woman foi
you. You are DO. tho LlaI for me
"Did you low, me as T. began the
man passionately.
"Its not question OF love-" return
ed the girl. I'm not going to allow
you to spoil my life with your un-
bearablc Loibts, nor will sacrifice
my Individuality on the altar OF youi
jealousy. Sic have gone through this
before. ans you beat down my reason