Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-05-16

NA'efN htA iApS were lNllCnlnE.
Presently, controlling herself. she
tossed her head and broke out de-
family:
'Of course. being a man, you are
disposed to treat the subject lightly
She was very white and could hardly
save herself from the tears OF excite
ment
Kennedy rose and slipped down TO
the broad arm of her chair. his hand
resting on her slender. quivering
shoulder.
1T was my. suggestion that we dis
miss it altogether" he said. and if I
were you, little girl. l would not take
it so to heart. Things of this sort
are happening every day, though we
are fortunate enough not to have them
come under our personal observation"
She looked up at him keenly. one
small, restless foot tapping the carpet.
Then you do side with him and
condemn the wOman?" she gave chal-
lenge in a tense tone, her hands finger
ing the embroidery hoops nervousIy.
You foolish child" he said. 81
haven't given the thing so much
thought AS a matter of fact, however
[ am, upon reflection, inclined to en-.
list my sympathies on the woman's
side. 1 never cared for Hartwen."
(which means that your reason is
purely personal" she urged tenta-
lively
NO" he protested quite positively.
1T is not. My reason is merely human.
One Of Gods creatures is just as apt
to err as another-given the same cir
cumstances, the same temptations.
Some OF us are stronger, some are
Veaker-all are mortal"
"Dicki"
Well?" suppose that you were that
man. Suppose something did come to
light out Of the past, Just one act of
imprudence, Of which you may have
been guilty yourself a dozen times
would you forgive her?"
IF 1 really loved her, 1 could for
give her anything"
Mrs. Kennedy had arisen and was
standing with one elbow pressed
against the sharp edge of the mantel
shelf, two throbbing circles of GRIM
son high up on her cheeks.
There's such a vast difference be-
tween a mans code and a woman's"
she kept on, as set down by conven-
uon-and men,"
There isn't any in the eyes of God"
he said, and there isn't in the minds
of the truly just"
You mean everything you've said,
RichardT she questioned abruptly. in
a taut, husky voice.
why else should 1 have said it?"
he replied.
An instant's stress of silence en-
sued, after which Kennedy got up and
stood beside her, encircling her tender
ly with his arm. Her head dropped
for an instant, but presently she
looked up at him fearlessly, her
breath coming in little sharp jerks as
she made the announcement:
L have need of your forgiveness,
then" she said, ''for there was another
man-before you came. believed my
self his lawful wife, but it turned out
there was another woman, too, and"
She broke down all at once and hid
her face on his shoulder.
rOI nOuenC MS arms supported
her but there was no warmth in the
embrace. She lifted her head and
looked deep into his eyes; they met
her glance with one of tragic grave
ness and even his lips were white.
An eternity of seconds wound by.
Then:
You said you should forgive me-"
she cried, falling back, stung. Her
eyes looked big and black and hollow
and every atom of color seemed
squeezed from her face.
After a while he walked over to a
window, drew a curtain back silently
and stood looking out at the starlight
over the deserted street. 1t was some
time before he turned and came back
to where his wife stood.
Il never dreamed you could be-as
other women" he said stonily. But
If you'd only cared enough for me to
nave given me your confidence in the
beginning!" he continued with rising
passion.
Il loved you too much; l was afraid,
That was my reason" The red flashed
swiftly into cheeks that were pale
enough a moment ago.
A long time she waited for him to
speak, but the lines about his mouth
only frightened.
When she could endure it no longer,
she turned and with a sudden desper-
ate movement flung herself toward the
door.