Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-03-13


day with you. ! told Howard it was
my last day with you aud did not
care 10 be disturbed"
You probably didn't say il that
way" he commented, amused.
Il did"
How much of that sort OF thing II
be prepared TO stand;" asked Siward
curiously.
"How much? | don't know. don't
believe he cares. Ii is my uncle. Ma
jor Belwether. who is making things
unpleasant for me. had to tell How
ard. you know"
WHAT exclaimed Siward lncredu
lousy.
certainly. DO you think MY con
duct has passed without proteStE'
"You told Quarter" he repeated.
"Did you imagine could do other
wiseT" she asked coolly. Il have that
much decency left Certainly ] told
him. Do you suppose that after what
we did, what | admitted 10 you, that
| could meet him as usual. Do you
think am afraid of him.
81 thought you were afraid of losing
him." muttered Siward.
II was dreadfully. And the morning
after you and | had been inprudent
enough to sit up until nearly daylight
and do what we did made him take n
long walk with me, and told him plain
ly that cared for you, that ! was too
selfish and cowardly to marry you, and
that If he couldn't endure the news he
was at liberty to terminate the engage
ment without notice"
what did he sayY stammered ST.
ward.
81 was informed that he held me
strictly and precisely TO my promise;
| that he would never release me vOluli'
| tarily, though | was. of course. at lb-
erty to do what | chose. My poor
friend. he cares no more for love than
do /! | happen TO he the one woman
I'm New York whom lie considers abso'
lutely suitable for him-by race, by
breeding, by virtue of appearance and
presence emincntly fitted to complete
the material portion of his fortune and
estate"
Her voice had hardened as she spoke
Now II rang little at the end. and she
laughed unpleasantly.
1T appears that was a little truel
to myself than you gave me credit fol
IA little truer to you. a little less
treacherous, less shameless. than yot
must have thought me. But | have
gone to my limit of decency, and were
! ten times more in love with you thar
am | could not put away the posi-
ton and power offered me, but | vii
not lie for ii nor betray for It,"
She dropped one arm on the back %
his chair and rested her chin on 1t
staring at space across his shoulders.
That's how it had to be- You see
when | found that | cared for you
There was nothing to do but to tel
him. He trusts me enough TO MARI.
me- He will he safe enough rs far II
my personal conduct is concerned sh
added uaively. 1T seems that an
capable of love, but am incapable o
us ueSfauatlOll,
Siward, leaning heavily forward ove
his desk, rested his head in both hands
and she stopped from her perch III tn
arm OF the chair, pressing her he
cheeks against his hands-a momen
only; then, slipping to her feet, sh
curled up in a great armchair by til
fire, head tipped back. blue gaze col
centrated on him.
1.-The thing for you to DO" she sal,
SIS to ambush me some night an
both to the parsons. I'd hate you fo
1t as much as I'd love you, but l.
make you an interesting Wife"
II may do that yet" he said, liftln
his head from his hands.
you've a year to do it n,' she oil
served. by the way, you're to ia Ike m
in to dinner, as you did the first nigh
Do you remember? asked Grace Fee
rail- then. | asked her again toda.
Heigho. 1t was years ago. wasn't i
that drove up to the station and sa'
very attractive aud perpIeXed youn
man looking anxiously about for SOM
body to take him to Shotover? Ahcn
: The notorious Mr.. Siward. Dear.
didn't mean to hurt you! You kno
; it, silly! Mayn't | have my little job
about your badness-your redoubtab
badness of reputation? There! 70
: had Just better smile. How dare yo
brighten me by making me think ! la
: hurt you? Besides. you are probabl
unrepentant."
She watched him closely for a m
ment or two, then, Are you unrepen
anti"
About what?'
"About your general wfckedness
about'-she hesitated-"about that gil
for example"
What girl?' he asked coldly.
THAT reminds me that you hay
told me absolutely nothing about her