Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-04-04
THE HAND THAT LEVELS
By NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

up. with startled, locked eyes.
Elisabeth"
"Julian!"
The words broke from their lips
after tense pause that seemed to
compass an eternity, but was in real
ity, only a minute.
And then. to avoid conspicuousness,
both moved by tacit consent down the
three remaining steps, and on across
the wide lawn that stretched like a
carpet of green velvet to the edge of
the lake below.
Il thought that you-were dead"
said the woman after a seconds
struggle for self-possession.
and l knew that you were worse
than that-to me-" replied the man.
And his voice was curiously harsh
and bitter.
''And that is why" She paused,
aG though expecting him to divine the
rest of her sentence.
''Well?" He spoke quickly, without
lifting his eyes.
why you caused it to be believed
that you were killed in"
Il was totally irresponsible for the
report. The mans name was Vain
wright, like mine, and they mixed his
is all. You sailed, ! recollect, the
very next day, on the Campania."
Elisabeth Dudley drew in her breath
as though it hurt her. She had grown
deathly pale. Yes she said in an
undertone, 1--WE were in Europe four
years-until just last week."
"We!" The pronoun struck across
Julian Wainwrights heart like a
physical blow. He had heard much Of
the man, Calvin Dudley, and the per-
ilous pace he had been going. And he
had dared to hope
How is he, your husband?" he in
terrupted his thoughts to ask in a
cold, perfunctory tone.
"The same"
There was not flicker Of the eye
lash as the woman spoke. But in con-
trast to her recent pallor, the blood
was now beating hot in her checks,
and her usually soft gray eyes had
turned almost black.
Julian" she began, after slightly
constrained silence, Il have something
to say to you. 1t is something / have
wanted to say ever since-ever
since"
Il understand" he interposed
gently, for the woman's distress was
obvious.
81 was wrong, that is ALL discov-
cred it before l had been married a
month. 1t was you l should have
taken, not him. But l am afraid he
bewitched, hypnotized me. We had
been lifelong chums; he argued me
into believing that my feeling for you
was merely friendly. l can't alto.
gether explain everything, but-but
think you can understand. You al
ways could understand. Believe me.
this confession ] am making now is
purely impersonal-a desperate oppor-
tunity to clear my conscience of the
burden that has been depressing it for
years. YOU"
Does he mistreat you?" The inter
ruption came abruptly, half savagely
! wholly unexpectedly.
1t was some seconds before the
woman answered Then, no" she
said, YEARLY, che mereiy-ignores
me-"
(Which is worse" The angry Grim
son poured over Wainwrights face
do you still go about with fim?"
Eyes. 1t is the only thing | can do
Although he pays no particle of atten-
ton to me--eXcept in a formal way
he would be the first one to notice any
least little delinquency on my part.
He has deadly temper; Ito tell you
tho TRUTH fear him"
They had reached the edge of the
water, and Wainwright led the way to
bench a few yards up the beach,
When they were seated, he turned TO
her suddenly and said: "In that event.
Elisabeth, L cannot understand why
you do not take advantage of the law
to free yourself"
You forget" she cut in sharply,
there's my religion"
(Which you are permitting to damn
your body and soul" he cried, hotly.
Il am only doing my duty" she said
In q calm, measured voice.
Elisabeth"
She turned at the note of qulvering
passion in his tone.
"Well?"
Leave him! Look the thing in the
face with clear, unbiased eyes. Does
just God in heaven sanction such q
union? You need not try to explain
TO extenuate. l happen to know all
crything-concerning this miserable
scorpion to whom you have linked
your innocent youth. Let me help
you!"
YOU" she said. duly, least OF ALL"
Then you will consider it? Your
brother"
But she shook her head quite posi-.