The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-12

She did not answer, and the touch of his strong fingers frightened into a grip of steel. She knew well enough what vas In his mind. He intended to take the telegram from her by force If she refused to give 1t to him. Please leave go of my arn1.' she said in a low voice. you are hurting me" For moment he hesitated, ano then the finer part of his nature prevailed. He loosed her arm and. walking over to the other side of the room, turned and confronted her with a hangdog look on his face.
 Forgive me-" he muttered hoarsely, T did not mean to hurt you. lied to you when I said that Laura was noth- lng to me. She Is still tho wvman iove."
 T knew that you iied to me-. Leonore replied. T have known all along why you pretendsd to be--to be my friend. No actor that have ever met could have played the part to greatcr perfsc-
 tion, But knew that you were acr- ing"
 Her voice was clear and firm. but her lips trembled and there were tears in her eyes. Her face. however, was turn- cd away from John shil. "ActingTs he stammered lamely. T do not understand. Ieonore.'
 Yes" she replied. T think you un- derstand.' Then she raised her eyes and looked him ia the face. "Good-bye," he said simply. not even daring to hold out the hand of friend ship.
 She did not answer. and turned her back on him. He hesitated for mo- ment and then left the room.
 John Shiil understood. The truth had been written plainly on Leonore's face. He knew that the game had been carried too far. and that there was stain on his honor as gentleman.
 Leonore, stood motionless as a figure carved out of ctone She heard John Shil,s footsteps as he crossed the room, and heard the click of the door handle as he grasped 1t in his fingers. She could hardly restrain herself from turning round and crying out to him. She longed to tell him to stay with her; to tell him that she would forgive ey- erything if he would only ask for for giveness; to implore him for some ex- planation, for denial of the charge she had brought against him, even to say goodbye" and clasp his hand. Any thing would be better than this silent parting. this breach between two friends who might never meet again.
 But her womanly pride put a seal up- on her limbs so that she could not move. Motionless and silent. she heard the door open and close, and not till John Shil's footsteps had died away in the corridor outside did she turn her head
 For few moments she stared at the closed door, as though 1t shut out the gladness of life and all the joys of the earth from her longing eyes. Then she crossed to the window, and. leaning over the sill. looked down the street. But when John Shil appeared, she with drew her head and shoulders, lest he should look up and see her watching him.
 Then she slowly unfolded the crumpIed telegram. and smoothed 1t out carefully between her finger and thumb. She had to see Laura that morning. She did not know exactly where Deptford was, but it was certainly a long way from the West End. and 1t would prob ably take two hours to reach the place. Laura was in great .iouple and re- uuired immediate help. It was no time for idle dreams and vain regrets.
 Yet Leonore fingered and drowned at the telegram in her hand,
 why, after all,'' she said to herself. should help this woman. who stands between me and the desire of my heart? If she is suffering, let her suffer: if she wants advice or help, lev her cry out for it in vain; If she is near to death. let her die.''