The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-12-23
the punkha. 1t was not a question Of
of love, Of anger, of hate. tell you
I was stunned-I had no emotions con-

W.
"T hdUe your photograph" he said.
cerning you or myself--after that last
scene-only a stupefied, blind necessity
to get away, a cropping instinct to
move toward home-to make my way
home and be rid forever of the dream
that drugged me! And then-and
them
"He came," said Selwyn very quiet
ly. go on"
But she had nothing more to say.
"Alixew
She shook her head, closing her
eyes.
Little girl-oh, little girl" he said
softly, the old familiar phrase finding
its way to his lips-and she trembled
slightly-"was there no other way but
that? Had marriage made the world
such living hell for you that there
was no other way but that?'
"Phil, helped to make it hell
"Yes-because was pitiably made
quate to design anything better for US.
l didn't know how. 1 didn't under
stand. 1, the architect of our future
failed"
'Tt was worse than that, Phil.
"We'-she looked blindly at him-"we
had yet to learn what love might be.
We did not know. If we could have
waited-only neutrality-suspicious.
there were Moments She flushed
crimson.
Il could not make you love me-" he
repeated. Il did not know how"
Because you yourself had not learn
ed how. But-at times-now looking
back to it-I think-I think we were
very near to it-at moments. And then
that dreadful dream closed down on
us again. And then-the end"
For a long while they sat in silence.
Mrs. Ruthven's white furs now COW
cred her face. At last the carriage
stopped.
AS he sprang TO the curb he became
aware of another vehicle standing in
front of the house, cab, from which
Mrs. Ruthven's maid descended
"Whdt is she doing here?" he asked,
turning in astoniShment to Mrs. Ruth
ven.
phil" she said in a low voice, 81
I knew you had taken this place. Gerald
told me. Forgive me. but when l saw
you under the awning it came to me
in flash what to do. And I've done it.
Are you sorry:"
NO. Did Gerald tell you that l had
taken this place."
Yes. asked him."
Selwyn looked at her gravely. and
she looked him very steadily in the
eyes.
Before l go may l say one more
word:' he asked gently.
Yes. if you please. Is it about Ger
ald?"
"Ycs. Don't let, him gamble. You
saw the signature on that check?'
Eyes, Phil"
"Then You understand. Don't let
him do it again"
"No. And-Philf"
"What?"
"That check isis deposited to your
credit-wth the rest. l have never
dreamed of using H." Her cheeks were
afire again, but with shame this time.
''You will have to accept it, Alike"
Il cannot"
"You must Don't you see you will
affront Gerald? He has repaid me. That
check is not mine. nor is it his"
Il can't take it," she said, with a
shudder. What shall do with it?'
"There are ways-hospitals, if you
care to. Good night, child"
She stretched out her gloved arm to
him. He took her hand very gently
and retained it while he spoke.
81 wish you happiness" he said. 81
ask your forgiveness"
"Give me mine, then"
Eyes, if there is anything to forgive
Good night"
Good night, boy" she gasped.
He turned sharply, quivering under
the familiar name. Her maid, stand
ing in the snow, moved forward, and
he motioned her to enter the brougham
Home" he said unsteadily and
stood there very still for minute OF
two, even after the carriage had whirl'
ed away into the storm. Then, look
ing up at the house, he felt for his
keys, but a sudden horror of being
alone arrested him, and he stepped
back, calling out to his cabman, who
was already turning his horses head
"Wait a moment. l think I'll drive
back to Mrs. Gerards. And take youI
time"
To he continued.
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