Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-17

 the morning I took the express for the east. Arrived at Washington, drove straight to her school.
 A high iron fence, not obstructing the view from the country road long drive under arching naples and beeches, a rambling, fascinating old house upon the crest of hill; many windows, a pillared porch, a low, very wide doorway. It seemed like her in its dark, cool, odorous beauty.
 She herself was in the front hall, directing some workmen Why. Sen ator Sayler, this is surprise" she said, advancing to greet me. But there was no suggestion of sur prise in her tone or her look, only a friendly welcome to an acquaintance.
 She led the way into the drawing room to the left. The furniture and pictures were in ghostly draperies; everything was in confusion. We went on to side veranda, seated ourselves. She looked inquiringly at me.
 T do not know why" was my an. swer. .'I only know-I had to come"
 She studied me calmly T remem. Der her look. everything about her the embroidery on the sleeves and bosom Of her blouse, the buckles on her white shoes. remember also that there was a breeze, and how good it felt to my hot face, to my eyes burning from lack of sleep. At last she said: "Well-what do you think Of my little kingdom?"
 Tt Is yours-entirely?
 House. gardens-everything. Ipaid the last of my debts in June."
 I'm contrasting it with my own," I said.
 But that isn't fair." she protested with a smile. "Ysu must remember, I'm a woman"
 With my own," went on. as if she had not interrupted. Yours is yours, honestly got. It makes you proud, happy. Mine" I did not fin. fish.
 She must have seen or felt how profoundly I was moved, for I pres. ently saw her looking at me with an expression I might have resented for its pity from any other than her. ''Why do you tell me this?" she asked.
 There is always for every one. " was my answer, some person to whom he shows himself as he is. | You are that person for me because I'm surrounded by people who care for me for what I can give. Even my children care to great extent for that reason. It's the penalty for hay. ing the power to give the material things all human beings crave. Only two persons ever cared-cared much for me just because was myself. They were my mother-and you" '! She laughed in quiet raillery. Two have cared for you. but you have cared for only one. And what de- ivotiol you have given him!"
 T have cared for my mother-for my children"
 i "Yes - your children. I forgot them"
 "And-for you"
 She made what thought a move meint of impatience.
 For you" repeated. Then: Elizabeth. you were right when you wrote that I was a coward" She rose and stood-near enough to me for me to catch her faint, elusive perfume-and gazed out into the dis tance.
 "In St Louis the other day." I went on, q saw a man who has risen to power greater than I can ever hope to have. And he got 1t by marching erect in the open"
 Yet you have everything you used to want" she said dreamily.
 "Yes-everything Only to learn how worthless what l wanted was. And for this trash, this dirt, have given-all I had that was of value"
 "All?"
 "All." I replied. "Your love and my self-respect."
 Why do you think you've not been brave?" 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 to understand"
 You have done wrong-delib- erately?"
 Deliberately"
 But that good might comef-
 "So 1 told myself"
 And good has come? I've heard that figs do grow on thistles."
 Good has come. But I think, in spite of me. not through me-" "But now that you see," she said, turning her eyes to mine with appeal in them. and something more, I thought, you will-you will go on7" T don't know. Is there such a things as remorse without regret?" And then my self-control went and let her see what had commanded myself to keep hid: T only know clearly one thing. Elizabeth-only one thing matters. You are the whole world to me. You and could-what could we not do togetherI"
 Her color slowly rose, slowly van ished. Was that what you came to tell me?- she asked.
 Yes" I answered. not f1inching.
 That is the climax of your moral izinH7"
 Yes" I answered. And of my cowardiee"
 A little icy smile just changed the