The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-01-29
cred so much mortified vanity and

Il
ing"
So Harvey opened the deadly Sti-
| letto. and. all unknowing, began to
read the pages Of book notices. He
read well. When he came TO "Rever-
les" Helen gave slight gasp. but
| she was holding a peacock fan before
her face, and Harvey could not see
how CHASTITY it had grown. The luck
less youth rushed on to his doom,
seeming TO take pleasure in each
sarcastic sentence, and almost chuck
ling when he came TO the pity that
was TO be bestowed on the object of
"Veritas' regard
After he had finished he said, mus
ingly:
That last was a little hard, per-
haps, but 50 many women have lately
given the public trash of this kind,
that it has become a stern duty to
at least try to stop them"
Don't you think it was rather un-
chivalrous TO say such things about
a woman" said a feeble voice.
"Unchivalrous! My dear Helen,
book reviewing and chivalry are not
comrades. I have heard you say
many times that you believe in fair
field and no favor in literature, and
that a woman has no right TO expect
consideration, as a woman, when she
becomes a writer"
The peacock fan was flung on the
table, and a white faced young fury
confronted Harvey, who had risen in
CONSERVATION. Was his bright, sun
ny natured Helen going mad?
81 consider every word of that crit
icism nmanly-and-yes
ly. By what right do you mock at
that woman's love. and hold her
most sacred feelings up to ridicule?
A man who would do such a thing
would prove nothing but brutal
husband-and there-there is your
ring, Mr.. Stuart"
The diamonds flashed unheeded on
the table, and Helen paused for
breath.
A dark flush had mounted to Har-
vey's forehead at the utterance Of the
word "cowardly;" but he had great
and believing that
Helen could not be herself, he said,
quietly:
81 don't think that you realize
what you are saying. Helen. Why
should you resent, as an insult, per-
fectly just criticism? TO convince
you Of the absurdity Of what you are
saying, I shall lend you the poems
reviewed, and then you will see that
| have not said a word too much, but
that they were written by some little
fool who wanted to see herself in
print"
o cruel Fates! Why could not
some kind power have stricken Har-
vey Stuart with dumbness, before he
made such an offer? The utter irony
Of the situation struck Helen, and
she laughed bitterly. Harvey was
so convinced that she must he i'll
hat. at the sound Of her hysterical |
he tried to draw her to |
aim.
MY child. you are nervous and |
Peverish. had better leave. and |
hen you must go upstairs and try to
sleep. Shall / send you those ridicu-
Gus 'Reveries?' They might have |
;oporilic effect"
Helen flung off the hand he had |
placed on her arm. and exclaimed,
n a voice hoarse with desperation:
Don't say one more insulting |
word. Can't YOU understand that
wrote that book, and that you are. or
we're, the object of my affection who
S to be ptied?"
In a flash Harvey recollected sew
,ral expressions that were certainly |
Ielen's, and a realization of the cru
slty Of all he had said made him
sink feebly back into his chair. Then, |
with the poor tact which distin-
guishes man. he rushed upon de-
,truction
MY poor girl Why didn't you |
ell me about it? | did not dream |
hat YOU ever wrote such stuff"
Helen Quivered. but only said:
"Be good enough to accept that |
ing and leave me. | am tired
"Helen. surelyyou will not let such |
I tri1e part us. My dear, | do not |
owe YOU because | thought you could |
write poetry. My criticism was most |
but you are acting very |
lnreasonably in treating me like |
his. But | see that you are tired, |
so | shall leave you. Perhaps in the |
morning you will be prepared to do
me Justice"
"My only wish Is that / may never
see your face again"
The next moment Helen found |
herself alone, but the diamond ring |
ay sparkling on the table. She took |
It up disdainfully and went upstairs. |
Mr.. Stuart took a long walk and |
thought over the situation. He was
a singularly just man and could re-
alize the exquisite modification that |
a girl like Helen would feel, and even |
4.