The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-06-29

WAS my hnbWtf, bOLHo pcfbou w
whom he shows himself as he 10.
You are that person for me because
I'm surrounded by people who care
for me for what can give. Even
my children care TO great extent for
that reason. It's the penalty for hav-
ing the power 10 give the material
things all human beings crave. Only
two persons ever cared-cared much
for me Just because ! was myself.
They we're my mother-and you"
She laughed in quiet raillery. Two
have cared for you. but you have
cared for only one. And what de-
votlon you have given him!"
Il have cared for my mother-for
my children"
Yes your children. forgot
them"
"And-for you"
She made what thought move
meint Of Impotence.
For you" repeated. Then:
elizabeth. you were right when you
wrote that | was coward"
She rose and stood-near enough to
me for me TO catch her faint, elusive
perfume-and gazed out into the dis
lance.
in ST. Louis the other day."
went on, II saw a man who has
risen to power greater than ! can
ever hope 10 have. And he got II
by marching erect In the open"
"Yet you have everything you used
10 want" she said dreamily.
"Yes-eyerything Only to learn
how worthless what ! wanted was.
And for this trash. this dirt. have
given-all had that was OF value"
"All3"
AN" I replied. your love and my
self.respect"
why do you think you've not been
brave3" she asked after awhile.
Because I've won by playing on
the weaknesses and fears OF men
which my own weaknesses and fears
enabled me 10 understand"
you have done wrong-delib-
erately7"
Deliberately"
But that good might conner
$50 told myself"
"And good has comet I've heard
that fgs do grow on thistles"
Good has come. But think. in
| spite OF me. not through me"
But now that you see" she said.
turning her eyes 20 mine with appeal
IN them. and something more. ]
thought. you will-you will 10 on1"
Il don't know. II there such
things as remorse without regret7'
And then my selfcontrol went and
let her see what had commanded
myself 20 keep hid: Il only know
clearly one thing. ElIIabeth-oniy one
thing matters. You are the whole
world 10 me. You and could-what
could we not do togetherl"
Her color slowly rose. slowly van
ished Was that what you came to
tell meG" she asked.
Yes" I answered. not finohing.
THAT IL the climax OF your moral.
iIings7"
Yes" answered. And OF my
cowardioe."
A little icy smile Just changed the
curve Of her lips. when ! was a
girl. you won my iove-or took II
when gave II 20 you. II you prefer.
And then-you threw IL away. For
an ambition you weren't brave enough
TO pursue honorably. you broke my
heart"
Yes" I answered. Butt loved
you"
And now she went on after your
years Of selfindulgence. Of getting
what you wanted. no matter about
the cost. you see me again. You ind
have mended my heart. have coa1ed
a few flowers OF happiness 10 bloom.
You hnd there was a something you
did not destroy. something you think
Il will make you happier 10 de-
stroy."
Yes" I answered. I came 10 try
10 make you as unhappy as ! am.
For ! love you"
she drew a long breath. Well
she said evenly. for the FIRST time IN
your life you are defeated. learned
the lesson you 90 thoroughly taught
me. And I built the wall round my
garden high and strong. You
she smiled. n little raillery. a little
soorn-"you can't break In. Harvey
nor slip In"
mo need" said. For I am In
i've always been In"
Her bosom rose and fell quickly.
and her eyes shifted. but that was
for an instant only. If you were
a. brave a. you are boldl" she
scoffcd.
IL we're AZ brave without you AZ
should be with youi" replied.
even M began 10 thrill with a hope
30 high that Il was giddy with fear,
abe was once more straight and
strong and calm.
you have come. You have tried.
You have failed" she went on after a
long pause. And In spite OF her e.
ports. that deep voice OF hers was
gentle and wonderfully sweet. Now
you will return 20 your life. I 70
mine" And abe moved toward the