Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-12-24

you did II because IL was right |
Jenny" he said gravely. but he felt
vaguely uncomfortable under her
pleading eyes.
Phil" she went on, You don't know
how bard my work is This gold dust
stun seems To eat right into me. and
can't get lie off. See here" aud she
showed him the marks
He gased at the gilt marks on her
neck and spoke sympathetically to her.
Jenny interrupted him.
Phil, do you ever think Of the old
days before | was marriedy You said
was pretty"
"You were pretty" he answered un-
steadily, "and-and you are pretty"
How his pulses throbbed.
"Yes?" she frightened And. Phil.
you kissed me once. remember what
you said"
"What did say" he falte-ed.
You said my lips were the sweet.
EST things you ever tasted"
He rose In agitation.
II must go. Jenny" he said. IL
can't wait"
mot yet. Phil" she begged. and,
| swiftly changing the ground of her
attack, she spoke of her life with such
humble sadness that Philip. touched
and treasured, sat down again. Ii
seemed, she said. as II an evil star
hung over her Why should George
have been killed. II he had been
spared her everything would have
been different. And If they hadn't
taken away her little baby and let II
| die then still she would have had
something to live for. Her voice broke
as she spoke of her baby. Aud II
that selfish woman hadn't left her
husband alone then, perhaps even
then, she would have kept straight.
But things had been too hard for her
She hadn't had fair chance. and
She turned to Philip with her whole
soul in her eyes, Tell me, Pnil, do
you think me wicked girl?"
"No, Jenny, IL don't"
"Oh, thank you" she cried.
"Sit closer to me--here. People get
lonely don't they, PhllW
Her eyes We're burning on him.
"Ye-es."
"And want to be loved, don't theyT
II suppose So
"And-sometimes petted!"
He could not speak: be could only
look at her at her swimming eyes and
har hn ri. "a
bled with the love that scars and sears
but will have Its way. For a moment
she met his eyes and then with swift
passion caught him in her arms.
81 love you" she cried passionately.
"Oh, how love you"
She kissed him full on the lips again
and again, and he returned her kisses.
Then at this moment OF peril-then
suddenly some power In him cleared
his brain. and In fash Of sober vision
he saw Margaret his Margaret, look
ting at him with grave reproof With
sudden reyulsion he broke away from
her, crying;
what dog ! am
Jenny, disillusioned, Inundated. rose
quickly and stood looking at him A
bottle on the table caught his atten-
ton It was the little flask OF liquid
gold. The truth suddenly flashed upon
him. She had been playing part; she
had tricked him here toto destroy
him
"You little devil" he cried.
"Phi" she cried in fear.
LET me see those stains" he or
dered, and he tore her wrapper open,
exposing her neck. He rubbed his in.
gers over the stains.
"Ah, thought SO! You said 1t
wouldn't come Off. 1t comes off quite
easily. You We're lying to me-"
NO" she said weakly.
He opened the bottle,
u say you were lying, It's the same
stuff. You brought 1t here; you put it
on your shoulders; you-you"-
u didn't mean any harm."
mo harm!" he shouted, Heavens
What do you call harm? Because you
hate the girl love you get me here
by tricks and lies. Joe Caffery never
!, sent that motel"
"He wrote 1t, Phil"
"You made him write it. II he
, wanted to see ME he'd be here. You
wanted to get me here-alone,"
, He paused,
n "Do you--do you own upT'
, "Yes," she said family.
, "Phil, IL did it BECAUSE
, you're bad al! through
, Jenny shrank in despair.
II am bad all through?" she said
, quietly. "All right. got you here by
. a trick? That's true. And hate the
! girl you love? You bet do!
, But what are your she famed
"You are a loyal lover; you are a
preacher Of reform. Philip Ames, but
you held me in your arms, and you
; kissed my mouth"
! Hhe paused. then added.
+ sand you liked 1t! You liked it,!
She showed the scorn Of the woman
for the man who is weak and places
the blame on her.
Philip sank into chair. crushed
burying his face In his hands. How
could he ever face Margaret again?
Jenny forgot herself her defeat, In
. the desire to console the beloved one
1t was a sisters feeling, pure, com
passionate, unself1sh.
!, She knelt beside him and compass
sionately whispered his name.
He rose with hatred in his voice:
Don't speak to me-"
The tone drove her to a desperate
determination.
DO you mean that?' she asked.
Yes | mean tn