The Democratic advocate., 1909-11-12

sudden warning creak from the cnains
mnde him look up. The chain had
broken.
Without an instafS's hesitation he
held up his arms for her and shouted.
Jump Marietta. jumpl" Such com
mand. such conviction, rang in his
voice that the girl obeyed as II her
own mind had prompted her. While
horribly frightened silence fell on the
others and some people close BY came
running up she fell safely into his
arms. where he stood holding her, tell
ing her and the rest. telling himself,
that she was not hurt. And, indeed,
she had mlraculously escaped without
harm. for Butler had caught the chain
50 the swing could not strike her as
she Cell.
II seemed ages to Frank Worthing
before he made everybody go away
before II dawned on Butler, who was
strangely willing, that he was to take
Grace home and leave him (Worthing)
to bring Marietta when and how he
chose. She was very silent and queer,
and he had felt her cling to him as he
held her In his arms as If she would
never leave that shelter.
They did not go straight home, be it
said. but out TO the country. And they
saw the moon rise. and many things
were said, especially by Worthing.
whose usual slowness of speech melted
away under his great need. SO pres
emily they were very much engaged.
and he stopped the car, the better to
hold her hand. q proceeding OF much
greater Importance than reaching
home, where he would have to let her
out of his sight till the next day. Then
she demanded what had brought him
to the park. II gave him the desired
opening.
YOU" be answered, with succinct
promptitude. II was going to toss
Billy into the lake while ! asked you
what had done or left undone that
should be driven out Of paradise. II
dawned on me that ! might have
neglected you during that Lawton
case. because. you see. Alice He
felt his beloved stiffen.
I'm sure nobody ever thought OF
hindering your devotion to Miss Law
ton r. But he shamelessly inter
rupted.
"But, Marietta, dearest. you surely
knew It was legal necessity for me
to see her--to"-
ITO take her-alone-to your office
saw you. Frank-to be with her con
stantly. 10 have time for--nobody else. .
Her aunt was waiting for her In
my Office that time, | had TO be with
her. II was matter OF business. You
surely see that. Mariettnl And surely
you know It Is you that J lover" His
heart sang 90 think thnt he had been
right. that she had been Jealous, that
she cared enough for him 10 be jeal-
GUS. That was the wonder. Most OF
all his heart sang TO know that In the
moonlight she lifted her face TO give
him kiss II forgiveness for the OF.
fense he had never committed. He re-
I elected that he was not the FIRST mnn
probably to joyfully accept pardon for
what he had not done: that she was
not the arSt woman TO whom man
bad vainly explained matter Of bust.
ness.
7 "Of course" she said suddenly.
/ drawing back to look at him. you
know ! was not Jealous She IL not
the sort of girl | could be- Jealous Of
( 80 very unattractiye' worthing's
laughter was silent thing of the In.
uer man Alice lAwton. bis old
/ friend, an accepted beauty. unattrac-
tive. But he was wise. and his dis
loyalty was very loverlikc
Marietta. did you suppose l could
think you were jealousi And as for
Alice. wen. you know can't wee 9TH
or women. | am blind"