The Washington times., 1909-07-07
CHAPTER XXI.
RETURNING THE RING.

jury pleader not to know when
j he had struck wrong note,
He realized at once that the
spell he had been weaving over Gladys
with his elOquenCe was weakening. Al
though he was ignorant wherein ne mao
erred he h@steaed 70 reIraCe MS steps
back to safe ground.
should We waste time ia discussing this,
that and the other, when the one PLAIN
fact of the moment is that we snould DC
married? II viii relieve your mind and
mine Then we win have burned our
bridges behind US, and marching
shoulder to shoulder, we can concen-
trate our combined powers and energies
upon Dads problem in way that can
spell nothing but victory. -, 40
This Is our hour, my own ne De
clared. Wont you come with meE
Won't you Gomez"
he caught her hand. and sought to
draw her toward the door; but he felt
even while he spoke that bis words
were missing their mark.
Had he voiced the same entreaty a
little earlier. when she was stimulated
and uplifted by the boldness or MS
stand she might have yielded: but he
had made the call sEan her once TOO
soon and once too late.
Now. the crucial moment had passed.
she had had time 10 weigh and CONSIDER
the dangers Of the course he urged; and
his appeal found her cold and unrespon-
sive.
She broke away from him. Il have
given my answer to all that she SAID
and her voice was dun and lifeless as
If she spoke by note. Unless you can
give me assurance that papa WIZ not
be indicted I shall have TO regard our
engagement as broken" Here she
slipped his ring from her finger and held
II out toward him.
"Gladys!" he exclaimed in shocked re-
A. sar.rnfN Nna
lieve you love mel
A second later, though, he was apollo
sizing- begging her pardon. renewing
his entreaties that she marry him at
once.
But his arguments. prayers. and pro-
testations alike failed TO touch her.
OverWrought and worn out by his long
continued siege. she felt only craving
desire 10 be alone.
oh" she cried YEARLY at last, viii
you not gO-go and leave me 10 my
Not until you agree to defy War
wick. he answered stubbornly, ana
come out with me 10 a clergyman s.
In despair she sought refuge IN lie.
Anything 10 be rid of him.
But sSppose 1 prefer Warwick she
cried Suppose, j have always cared
for him deep down In my hearty
"Gladysi' he took a step backward (,
then: i do not believe IL. No he
Heve H. You cannot deceive me, you
are simply yielding TO his blackmail-
ing threats and coercion.
'fWho says that ne is using threats
and coercion she retorted, Ringing
hack her head mol body but yOui
and she followed up her advantage,
with you IL Is only surmlse and con-
lecture II / love him, whose business
IS it what understanding we may nave
between ourselves
d
z.ieile" Graham seemed dazed and Un-
comprehending.
The girl called all har forces to keep
from giving away.
yes, If love him. That. however.
IS a matter which concerns only him ano
myself To you, ali ] can say Is that
our engagement has been hideous mis-
take"
The man invoIuntarlIv staggered under
the blow, and put his hand upon the
back of a chair 10 steady himself. Then
he drew himself together and faced heI
with a quiet dignity
GLADYS" ne said simply. ct only
hope YOU do not know what you have
done Ii IS q good deal 10 shatter a
mans ideals-his faith IN human ma
She did not dare 10 meet his gaze
bat out Of the fierce pain IN her own
heart, she was guilty Of ninging him
8 bitter tauut.
'Oh. 1 fancy you viii not be long in
finding another ideal her stin lips
Knocked. THAT model Of loyalty AT your
Office will no doubt answer all your re-
duirements."
"Ah. HMda," he assented. Yes. I am
wrong 70 condemn ali women on -
count Of the falsity OF one. That poor
girl At least has been true as steel. and
with small reward for IL. too"
And with that he picked up the ring
she had laid upon the table. thrust IL
into his waistcoat pocket, and left the
house
T,eft alone TO herself 81 last Gladys
fottered to the couch threw herself full
length upon It., and burst into tears
ooh, 7 am right" she Wept. Il know
that ! am right III is the only way 90
than deathi'