The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-09
Our Daily Short Story

appealing to my affection. Now I choose tQ be free, to put you out Of my life once and for all"
 In the days following Hadley strove to reopen the question, but Katherine would neither answer his appeals in writing nor granting him an interview so, at last. silence fell between them. Then the girl tried to take up her life where 1t had been broken into by the coming of Kenneth, tried to rejoice in her recovered freedom, but as the weeks pessed, they grew heavier, drag ging at her heart like the ball and chain on the cpnyict's foot. She suffer ed in manner that she could neither understand nor have believed possible, and grew resentfu1 at the persistent aching and craving that possessed her. By night she tossed restlessly, in-. somnia her jailor, ha1f choked with a grief to which she would give no out let. She had resented Kenneth's mast erful claim on her, and on her pur- suits. Why. then. when this supervis- ion was lifted. was she not content? Love she believed subservient to in- dividuality. When one or other must be sacrificed she sad had no hesitation in her choice. She had made fetich of ego. to find in the ned love had so un- derminded 1t that she was no longer an entity, sufficient to herself. Then suc- ceeded days when, half desperate in her unhappiness. she nearly capitulat- ed; hours when it seemed as though an irresistible force impelled her to Kenneth, but always pride rose forbid ding. and she made no sign.
 "Kepueth sails Saturday" Mildred told her at last. risking a quarrel, hav- ing been forbidden to mention the name. There being nothing to keep him here now,"Nshe continued, comfort ably, he may nevert return" She watched with satisfaction the result of this stab. I've often wondered" she persisted. that you never regretted the break, but it's too late now. so it's better as 1t is.''
 Katherine made no response, but that night she wept for the first time long bitter sobs that washed away every feeling but the love that gave them birth. She realized, now, that over her love for Kenneth his faults had no control. Human nature is, so frail that 1t must love and cling where 1t can. in spite of weakness.
 Early Saturday. when Had1ey was about to board an outbound vessel. a l hand. thrust suddenly out of the half light caught at his sleeve. He turned at the touch.
 "Katherine!' No thickness of veil could disguise her in his eyes, There lASy SlOOu' SlAChLs luCdpdblC OL SpSOCu staring at each other. The man recov- cred first and drew her toward the end of the dock. where great packing cases afforded some seclusion.
 You should not have come!'
 T had to. I've been all wrong-and I wanted to tell you. I've been writ ing-short stories-advertising ones for different firms; that'h why I went to Chardes Truax's office. He buys 6 number each year. No one knows. didn't want them to-you especially for different firms. that's why went until I sould do something worth while You'll come back-back to | America"
 How much do you mean by telling me this?'
 AS much as you wish. live mis- sed you so-your fauits-my faults, what do they matter. Kenneth. Pm wretched without you-I-"
 Then Hadley understood. Only at the last moment had he sufflcient pres ence of mind to get his trunk pulled off the steamer before she slipped her moorings.