Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-19


her resentment was directed against Threnodora
And this wilful little instigator of mischief sat
silent and demure toying with her bit OF untasted
toast To her seepless pillow thousand con-
ficting emotions had come. She loved Austin
with all the ardor of her fresh, impetuous nature
and she hated him with that bitterness that only
a proud woman can know when the holy oHer1ng
of her love has been cast from the altar
Nervous and wretched, she had arisen from her
bed hoping that he had already gone out and that
Christine would not leave her room; but she was
doomed to meet both in the dinng-room.
Mother and Frank will be here at five o'clock"
was the only remark made during that dismal
breakfast With no further exchange of civilities,
Anstin left the house. The two girls sat silent a
long time, neither caring nor knowing how to
break the ice. At length Christine said in pas
sionless but cutting tones
"Threny Reynod, you are unprincipled girl.
I never forgive you for what you did last
night"
Threnodora arched her brows and looked
amazed.
what did I do?" she asked innocently. 81
thought it was you who did all the shocking things
this time. 1 simply kept watch over you to pre-
vent you from going too far. I wonder what Mr..
Ronald Kent would have said If he had seen his
spotless Diana last night"
Miss Strands fair cheek grew shade whittier
and her shapey hands clinched themselves invol-
unfairly Threnodora saw that her light remark
had aroused deep internal tempest and feeling
of pity for Christine sprang up in her breast
Forgive me for saying that. 1t was out before
|
Christine pushed back her chair and sinking on
her knees, buried her blonde head in Threno-
doras lap.
ooh, Threny, Threny," she moaned, II would to
heaven l had half your spirit and independence
Men are set of cruel monsters and detest every
of them. I have been cringing and yielding TO
Ronald for months, because | love him TOO well
to give him up, and dare not assert my woman
hood for fear of offending him. He promised to
be here yesterday, and again he has put me off for
some trivial reason. Since we have been engaseo
his one purpose has been to impress upon me the
fact that he is lord and master. | know now you
treated Austin and am glad you did 1t. he is
very wretched man this morning; but ne tnlnKs
more of you and less of himself than he did yes
terday"
Threnodora bent low until her shining curls
were mingled with the pale gold tresses on her
lap
Dear Christine, can you forgive me for what
did last night? 1t was a mean, wicked tnlng TO
do and I truly sorry" she whispered.
"Threny darling!" Christine cried, and III
another moment the two girls were clasped In
long, almost passionate embrace For hVe years
they had lived under roof and mad peen
strangers Now a little kindred trouble mad
served to unlock both their hearts, revealing a
treasurehouse of sympathy and compromising
that each had sighed in vain for
''I'l tell YOU what we ought to do Threnodora
said after a long heart-toheart talk Let us go
over and see Chriskios. Dr. Ben told me ever SO
much about him last night after you mad gone 10
bed and he must be wonderful"
"Anything you wish, dearie," the elder girl SAID
STOPPING and kissing the pale cheek tenderly. .
Half an hour later the two emerged from the
house. Threnodora hanging listlessly on chris
tines arm. heavy languor had taken posses,
sion of her limbs that walking was painful, and
her ewes usually so bright dull and ltfeless
AS Christine rang the bell at the clearinghouse
next door, she said in subdued tones to her COM
panon,-