The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-02-19

mad nothing 10 say about Sylvia at an
: reseFying that vital confidence FOR Tn.
clear sympathy and understandln.
which he looked forward 70 when h.
should see her and which, through
dark days and bitter aftermaths
through struggle and defeat by his
master vice, had never failed him Vet
never faltered for an instant
so he brought his letter TO a close
with a tender and uneasy Inquiry
concerning her health which. she hasl
animated, was not exactly sadsfacto-
~, and for that reason she had open-
ed the house in town In order TO he
near Or. Grisby, their family doctor.
Sealing and directing the letter. he
looked up TO see Sylvia standing ar hi,
elbow She dropped a light hand Oh
ais shoulder for a second, barely
touching nina fugitive caress. deli
cate as the smile lowering on her lips.
as the shy tanderness In her eyes
More letters to your sweetheart ?"
she asked. abandoning her hand to
him.
"One more, the last before | see her
wish you could see her, Sylvia
wish so, too she answered sim
ply, seating herself on the arm of his
chair as though it were a sidesaddle.
Would she care for me, do YOU
Think? asked the girl in low voice.
Il think so. for your real self"
Il know She could only feel con
tempt for me as l am"
'She is OIL fashioned he said rev
erently.
THAT means all that is best In a wo-
J mantle old fashion OF truth anu
faith, the old fashion OF honor and
faith in honor, the old, old fashion OF
love. All that Is best Stephen: all thas
Is worth the love Of a man Some day
somebody viii revive those fashions"
''Will your"
Dear, they would not become me"
Bhe said. the tenderness In her eyes
deepening a little. and she touched his
head lightly In humorous earess
What shall we do with the waning
&aylight?" she asked. 1T is my last
day with you. l told Howard it was
my last day with you and | did not
care to be disturbed"
You probably didn't say it that
way" he commented. amused
Il did"
How much Of that sort Of thing is
be prepared to standT' asked Siward
curiously.
How much? l don't know don't
believe he cares. 1t is nv uncle, Ma
jor Belwether. who is making things
unpleasant for me. had to tell How
ard, you know"
What exclaimed Sfward incredu-
lousy.
Certainly Do you think my CON
duct has parsed without protestT'
You told 0uarrierr' he repeated.
Did YOU imagine | could do other
wiser she asked coolIy Il have that
much decency left. Certainly | told
him Do you suppose that after what
we did, what | admitted to you, that
could nert him as usual? Do you
think am afraid Of him.
Il thought you were afraid Of losing
him. muttered Sivard
II was dreadfully And the morning
after you aud had been imprudeHt
enough TO sit up until nearly daylight
and do wha we did made him take
long walk with me, ana l told him plain
~ that ! cared for you that l was ton
selfish and cowardly to marry you. and
that If he cogldn't endure the news be I
was at libe. 70 terminate the engage !
ment without notice"
what die he say?' stammered ST
ward. 0
81 was informed that he held me
strictly and precisely to my promise, =
that he would never release me volul- !,
-arily. though | was. of course, at lib :
erty TO do what ! chose Ny poor
'iend. he cares no more for love than q
10 L! | happen to be the one woman o
q New York whom he considers abso-
utely suita bic for him-by race. by
breeding. by virtue of appearance and
presence eminently fitted to complete Ia
he material portion OF his fortune and
state"
Her voice had hardened as she spoke.
low It rang a little at the end. and she o
aughed unpleasantly.
'It appears that l was a little truer q
> myself than you gave me credit for 90
"A little truer to you, little less IA
-eacherous less shameless, than you de
iust have thought me. But | hav" N
one to my limit Of decency. and were pa
ten times more in love with you than 1t
am could not put away the posi- fr
on and power offered me, but | will M
OF lie for Il nor betray for it." gil
She dropped one arm on the back of ca
IS chair and rested her chin on it, an
airing at space across his shoulders
That's hu9 It had 20 be, you be
hen found that | cared for yon Be-
here was nothing 70 de- but 70 TEL
IN. He trusts me enough to mare v,
e. He wi IL safe enough as far ha
v personal ronjuct Is cHcerued. size no
lded nalvev 1T seems that avn me
pable of love. butt am incapable IN
degradation Ia
Siward. Ieauing hea Willy forward over III,
5 desk. rested his head in both hands. da
=. ...5..,y..4 fro,,, bar rar.., -, tha ,ot