The Washington herald., 1908-09-06

the horns Of 4 dilemma He had either
20 confess 10 blgany or he had 20 cast
sIur on the reputation Of the woman he
loved
.weue' she asked. after a pause.
Which IS it, I should Ike 70 know
shall. in fact make It my business TO
know"
The struggle n Tankerlsue's mind was
sharp. but decisive II stands 10 his
credit that he spoke the truth he vas
u,5n enough TO defend the honor OF the
woman whom he had betrayed
she believes that she IS ny wife" he
sai1 gently.
y thought as much the woman re
r.iled 7 saw nothing impure n that
calm. beautiful face. And 50 you have
betrayed her. you have led 70 her She
is your mistress and thinks she IS your
wife Your children--bah. It siCkens me
10 think Of II 7 did no. know that you
were such a scoUndreL Time has worked
. change in YOU. William Taukeriane-
Love has worked a change" he eX-
claimed 6e-ceIv "A man VIII sacrifice
anything 20 gain the woman he loves !
ar. not ashamed OF what 7 have done I
could not get her IN any other Vay- You
can guess how such q woman would re-
pl5 10 a dishonOrabls prop 'Sal IaeTe
was 10 other way I tried TO gain her
au6 I viii do as much again-ayc- and
mere. 10 keep her 7 viii fight fOC her,
IsonOre. I VIII fight. and # anything
! threatens her happiness I VIII wei, ]
viii remove f.. il il costs me r-y life Do
I speak plainly
7 understand the woman answered.
but I am not afraid Of YOU And YOU
on the other hand. have nothing n fear
/ from ne I am not Jealous 1 have no
6eslre TO claim you as NY husband Il IS
a pity that You cannot divorce mo but 1
an afraid my life will bear the sJrictesC
I scrutiny. I have thrust all thought OF
I ren cut Of my head I live f'- my art
and for my art alone.
Then why are you here2, he asked
~ hv have you thrust yourself nacE INTO
nv i1fe2 Way could you no. leave me
alone? What IS It that YOU WANT
7 wanted 10 learn the truth" she re
Piled. That woman's face has pecul-
I iar fascination tcr ne I could net Keep
my. ewes OF II at supper last night. ! an
! a student Of character She is not happy.
/ I have come 10 the conclusion. she cor
Z tinued, that she does not love you. and
/ that she has married you for some other
] reason. do not understand. for she
! does not look to ne Ike q woman w2o
would marry for money.
is there any reason why YOU should
1 understand he asked her. with sneer
! on his lips
There is every reason she replied
/ I am your wife. and il is IN my power
/ either 70 speak or TO keep my mouth
shut From some reason or other. I de-
sire this womaa's happiness Perhaps II
] is a mere whin. but the desire is there,
/ all the same"
/ 1t does you great credit. Leonore.' the
man said fervently. But you are mis-
taken in thinking that she does not love
me-
That Is just what I want 70 find out
/ II she does not love you. she might be
/ glad Of some news that would make her
| free again
Not if sLe had married ne for nv
( money he interrupted; and. in ans
case. the shame would kill her But there
I IS no need TO contemplate such an action
! on your part. Laura loves me, and vii
fight TO keep her-sye. fight to the bitter
( end
\ His eyes flashed and he squared his
( broad shoulders. He was a fine figure Of
/ a man. and the pose suited him we'll / e'
/ for ali his brave bearing he was trem-
bling with fear. II this woman cnct
/ learned the truth she would tell Laura
everything. and the latter would accep
the shame with resignation. KNOWING
that the shame had given her freedom.
That is what I have come here for
the woman said slowly Just 10 learT
the truth, that is all. The problem befort