Evening star., 1908-01-19

liked me-" And when he had clipped off
the end of his cigar and struck match
under the manteipiece. he added. so you
hear him say his prayers? I didn't know
you were so rengiously Inclined
II am not religiously inclined. but OF
course. one has to teach a child to say his
prayers
"Oli. I don't object TO religion" Mr..
Pryor assured her; I'm fact. like tt
I'm other people? she interrupted,
well. yes. in other people. At any
rate. in your charming sex. Alice Is very
religious. And like it very much. In
fact. ! have a good deal Of feeling about
it.. l wouldn't do anything toto shock
her. you know. really am perfectly SIN
cere about that. Helena.
He was sincere: he looked at her with
an anxiety that for once was quit simple.
That's why l wrote you as | did about
the future. l am greatly embarrassed
about Alice.
She caught her breath at the sudden
ness of his reference, but she knew him
we'll enough not to be much surprised. u
a disagreeabln topic was to be discussed
the sooner II was taken up and disposed
of the better. That was I.loyd's way.
"Of course. he went on. IF AIjc, knew
of Our-ah. acquaintance. 1t would snock
her IL would shock her very much He
paused "AIice's great charm is her abb
solute innocence" he added, Thought
| fully.
That comment was like blow in the
face. Helena caught her breath With the
shock Of it. hut she could not stop to
! anaIyze its peculiar terror. Alice needn I
| know" she began-but he made an I'M
| patient gesture.
! ".If We married il would certainly come
/ out
| He was standing with his back TO the
| fire. one hand In his pocket. the other
| holding his cigar; he blew three smoke
rings and smiled. will you let me off.
i NeIly?"
II know YOU don't love me-" she broke
/ out. passionately.
| 'tOh. now, Helena. not scene. please!
| MY dear. I love you as much as ever.
i You are charming woman, and ! great
l lv value vo,ir friendship. But ! can love
| Won lust ss much not to say more. If YOU
| are here in your own house in Old Ches-
ter. instead of being in my house in Phila-
delphia. Why. it would be like sitting on
| a Volcano
Il cannot stay in old Chester any
longer she said dreadful things nave
happened and
| What things. You said that before.
Do explain these mysterious allusions
| "Mr. Wright's son.. she began anf
then her voice broke. But she told him
as well as she could.
Mr. Pryor gave frowning whistle
Shocking, Poor Nelly!'.
"You see ] must go away. Sic said
wringing her hands: Il can't bear it,
But. my dear" he protested. 1T WASH
your fault You were not to blame be,
cause a rash boy Then thought
struck him; but how the devil did he
discover
When Helena explained that she sup
posed old Mr. Wright had told his grand
son. Pryor's anger broke out: III
knew? How did he find out?'
Helena shook her head; she had never
understood that, she said. Lloyd's anger
always confused her. and when he de-
manded furiously why she had not tolt
him about the old fool-"he'll blazon tn:
whole thing"'-she protested. quiverfng
, that Mr. Wright would not do tnat.
4 meant TO tell you, but II forgot It
And, anyway. knew he wouldn't: h saie
) he wouldn't; besides. he had a stroke
when he heard about Sam. and ne nasn
spoken since. And DIR. king sh'
ncad-"Dr. King says it's the beginnin;
: of the end"
THANK God-' Lloyd said, profoundl.
relieved. He stood frowning for min
J ute, then shrugged his shoulders. Well
If course, that settles it; you can't sta!
here; there's no question about that. Blu
| there's a very pleasant little town on th
, other side of Mercer and
1T isn't just tine going away. sh
broke in. ITS being different from people
! never thought about il before: | neve
really minded. But now | can't heip see
ing that If you are-different, mean jus
:. 10 please yourself. you know. tit hurt
other people. somehow. Oh. | cant ex
plain she said incoherently. 'and
don't want TO trouble you. or talk abou
right and wrong and religion. and-tha
sort of thing
, No. please don't he said. dryiy.
But YOU promised-kyou promis ed!
. Il promised he said. "and / have
prejudice i'm favCr OF keeping my word
: Religion. as you cali it, has nothing to d
q with it, will marry you; l told you s.
= when ] wrote TO you. But ] felt that II
4 put the matter before you and told yo
how difficult the situation was. and ap
pealed TO your generosity, for Alice
4 | sake
s Il appeal TO Your Generosity.-fcr tin
! sake Of other people, II isn't only Aiic
who would he shocked. II il was foun
I out. Lloyd. i don't insist on living wit
n YOU Keep the marriage a secret. if yo
r want to; only. l must, must be mar