The Washington herald., 1908-07-26

be laughing and joking with Esme Bur
CESS. instead Of discussing unproftable
and irritating themes
But other things, worse things, can be
done with impunity."
To this second challenge Hugo nodded
again. which was unwise II he wished 70
silence the young lady. FOR she at once
leaped 20 the unwarranable conclusion
that he disagreed with her.
Then. without any further warning. she
said. with a certain defiance:
There was that Charters case. I'm 50
glad you spell your na5.is ,,,.--Sce->F..ly
Hugo felt hot. and wondered II his
| cheeks displayed a warmer color than
usual Joy continued. in the same slightly
hard tone:
did Mr. Hugo Charters have to leave
his cIubs?''
Hugo Charteris7'' repeated the parson.
Yes. yes. to be sure: one OF the Saffron
Charters lot. a sad story. that
Did he have 70 leave his clubsz- per
sisted Joy.
"Or course not muttered Hugo.
And why not2'' continued Joy. vehe-
mently. She looked IN turn at each Of the
men You think I'm baby TO ask such
question. Wen. know. OF course. that
he did not leave his clubs. A man can
rob az old friend Of his wife. can break
up a home in which he has been treated
FOR years as an hOnored guest, and no
man thinks much the worse Of him"
Ny dear protested the parsOn-
Father, you know that am not speak
ing Of you-or yOu." she turned TO Hugo
with a faint smile: but Of the average
man, who reflects more or less faithfully
public opinion He condOues an unspeak-
able offense by allowing the offender 70
associate with him. but a boy who cheats
4 cards EfrEaF r-rr and -rrf-aa for
lie" A ' anu u''-s' III
IT'S a difficult subject" said the par
son And the cases are different
They are, indeed" Joy replied; and
TO my mind one IS ten thousand times
worse than the other. 1 could forgive
a poor wretch who cheated at cards but
should cut Mr.. Hugo Charters dead
If had the dishOnOr OF knowing him. go
George Vennabie made no reply In
the glow Of the fire. Joy had assurn ii
something Of her mothers look. Alicia
had often rallied against sinners whom
she had never met. and against sins she
herself was Incapable OF committing
You read that caseg-- said Hugo IN q
low voice.
Every word Of IL Il happens 70 be a
subject on which I feel very strongly"
1T Interested me- said the psrson.
medftatively. My memory is not quite
clear, but II struck me at the time that
the defendant might not have been as
black as was made out. He held MS
peace. Wel." he chuckled. I. too. have
held my peace. and a good many OF your
relations. my dear, have assumed tEat
because I said nothing. there was E1tn-
ing 10 say"
Did you read that case?'' sad Joy
20 Hugo
Yes; I was as interested as anybody
else
And what opinion did you come to7
I'm sure you felt as I feel about e. For
instance. you would have hated 20 take
his hand9~
7 cant see myself taking his hand
I knew Il" Al the Earshness went
out OF her eyes. which beamed upon hlm.
she was wearing a simple evening dress
OF soft white silk. which. although we'll
cut. might have looked shabby IN a
stronger light. On her right hand
sparkled an old-fashIoucd diamond ring
that had belonged 10 her mother At
rest and almost motionless in her low
chair she looked intensely alive Her
vitality sparSled like the good Brazilian
stones IN their tarnished silver setting
Then, as Hugo's eyes met hers IN "a
glance she was unable 70 interpret she
showed a deeper unge OF color i1 her
cheek. and smiled Hugo wanted 10 say
I'm the man you would Ike 10 cut
dead Cut me. kick me cut Of this house.
Let's have il over and done with In
stead. he laughed. suit-en by The topsy-
turvydom Of the situation Something II
this laugh surprised and puzzled Joy. as
vel It might. for It broke a link between
them.
Why do you laugh
! was wondering what would happen
r you met this man
4 may meet him. said joy ''Mouie
NOttisfont knows him. she told me so
she said he was chzzning. and she added. I
I remember. that Nfter he had married
Mrs Tempest the world would forgive
them both. because they were so pleasant f
and so rich Il I do meet him"
--Well2-'
She hesit0ted. The parsOn had fallen .
asleep. 6szing OF. with his pleasant smile [
3n his lips. Not wishing 10 wake him
Joy answered iu q whisper 7 suppose I
Mrs Giles crawirS-ToOm IS large enough /
10 hold him and me for a minute Or two I
should escape at the first opportunity 4
To be continued next Tuesday