The Washington herald., 1908-08-03

destroys linen" declared Katherine. sen
tentiously.
Despite which epigram you viii marry
Kenneth Hadley." sconed her friend
The two girls had paused at the corner
Of the street where katherine intended
/ taking a car. L was not IN sight. so she
turned to finish the discussion
Why notZ-- she asked. I am not the
woman to give ground for Jealousy, while
Kenneth. On his part. knows I would
| never forgive unjust suspicion. which is
what jealousy amounts TO- Real love in
srres perfect trust and faith"
with some natures. possibly; but Ken
meth Hadiey could no more help being
jealous where he loves than he could stop
breathing and live" retorted Mildred.
Why. at the Meresdale euchre party
every one but you could see"
Then he must have concealed his feel
ings admirably declared Mr. Hadley's
fancee, for he said nothing 20 me"
Some day he will"
/ Katherine Felix shook her head
Doubt is degrading and happiness can
/ not exist in its atmosphere. Mildred. I'll
be frank. Kenneth and I did once have a
wretched misunderstanding. which came
/ near separating us I warned him then
] that such scenes would kill whatever sen
( timent 1 cherished for him In becoming
/ his wife I do not reIinquish my individu-
ality- He takes ne. as I accept him. a
/ soul matured. giving 20 him a closer in
/ timacy than TO any other. vet with natu-
raj reservations We come into the world
alone. dapart alone. so mush there always
/ be silent places in our lives 10 which even
Z the nearest can have no key"
Her friend. unconvinced. started 10 say
good-by. but returned impulsively 20 the
charge.
Theoretically. Katherine. there is truth
in your argument Jealousy is no tempta-
tion 10 you. Should you meet Kenneth
walking with a girl. doubt II Il would
occur 10 you 10 even ask her name Your
error is making secrets Of nothing
The others eye flashed ressntfUIIy.
You say that because would not tell
you where am going now"
Nonsense It's none OF my affair; but
suppose you had met Mr- Hsdley IN
stead2-'
4 should have declined % explain
Then the emergency OF her errand recur-
ring 20 her mind. she added: Here comes
my car. Good-by. Mildred I wonder Il
II would not have been better had Ken
meth met you first. You would have
yielded TO his e1actious SO graciously''
With a smile al the others Indignant
protest she motlored 20 the motorman.
Reaching her destination. she entered
large manufacturing establishment Send
ing IN her card 20 the advertising rnanaE-
CT. she was at once shown into his private
Office.
HaIf an hour late. returning home. she
encountered Hadley. who plainly showed
his delight at the unexpected meeting
What luck brings you 90 this part Of
town. he inquired.
business was the light response.
Which. in woulau's voca bulary. means
pleasure A quick look showed ne was
conscious of the evasion. though he did
not press the point Wish 7 could re-
turn with yCu, but an appointment for
fids- How dusty Il is- Give ne your
handkerchief. Kathe There's a rude.
black suudge dangerously near your
eye.
Katherine laughed. and feeling for her
handkerchief without success. remarked
that she must have dropped It some
where. adding Use yours" At his COM
pliance she thanked him. nodded good-by.
and was gone
she was seated al the piano drawing
soft melody from its keys IN the mellow
light Of the shaded lamp. when Hadley
arrived. he watched her for some mo-
nents before she discovered his presence
Then she swung round gayly on the stool
with extended hands
Come and kiss me. which ceremony
you omitted when we last met
As he crossed toward her something IN
his expression made the girl draw back
from the invited caress-
What is the natter she asked.
I've brought back your property He
tossed a c-Umpled BIT Of linen into her
lap A large h embroidered. showed
conspicUously IN one corner.
My handkerchief Thanks Where did
you find it,
You ask that2 Tell ne. rather. what
takes my promised wife 10 visit Charles
Traux2'
7 answer no question put IN such a
tone"
1t IS NY right 70 know The mans
eyes took angry measure OF her resist
ance. I put the same question this aft
ernOon and you evsded f. I thought.
when YOU insisted on YOUR rights and
privileges. that your little secrets were no
concern Of mine What do I fnd2 That
you have been clcseted in the private
Office Of a married man. an old flame Of
yours. Traux refused an explanation /
What have you to say2 woman OF
leisure. you cannot plead business IN a
factory as an excuse
You go too far
No. It IS you, love you as my life.
and you drive me mad with doubts
Knowing my weakness. you play upon It.
I Will have the truth Or
Katherine's face. gazing white and pas
sionless in his. arrested him
'Kathe." he pleaded. Z can't stand It. |
Right or wrong. YOU must have no secrets
from ne; its torture"
Argument is useless. Kenneth" Kath- !
erine's voice was as cold as her look.
quite useless. If 7 told you this there
would Be something else tomorrow. /
am not the woman for you-you are not
the man for me-
Did YOU love me as 4" began the |
man passionately-
Its not a question OF love. returned I
the girl I'm not going 10 allow you TO !
spoil my life with your unbearabIe doubts. |
nor viii I sacrifice my individuality on |
the altar Of your Jealousy We have gone
through this before. and YOU beat down 1
my reason by appealing 10 my affection !
Now I choose 10 be free, 10 put you out /
OF my life once and for all.
In the days following Hadley strove to I
reopen the question. but Katherine would I
neither answer his appeals in writing nor I
grant him an interview. So at last silence /
fell between them. Then the girl tried to 1
take I'd her life where It had been broken j
into by the coming Of Kenneth. tried 10 I
rejoice in her recovered freedom but as /
the weeks passed they grew heavier. /