Gilpin observer., 1909-11-11
When was I proven a liar ="

4
OF sort In them. You'll have the
truth. Yesterday afternoon when you
were wrestling with Alan locket fell
out OF your pocket" She watched
MIN closely. Il saw what you did
heard what you said. You thought I'd
gone into the tent-I hadn't-Td gone
just behind the tree to get some twigs
Tor the fire. I saw the Iocket fall
open-there was picture in it. Alan
trled to snatch 1t up-you got 1t first
You kissed 1t and showed 1t to Alan,
and you laughed as II you'd done
something clever. He asked you who
II was-you whispered something
then you laughed again and said, Not
word to Betty. old man." -
AS her words rushed out, he grew
intent, quiet When she flung the last
phrase at him with al 1.-The contempt of
which her voice was capable. his gaze
sank from hers to the ground. She
waited until his silence became an
answer. 1t was the only answer he
could make, she told herself.
Have you anything say?
he smiled little wanly. Your in
stinct was to doubt me at once?"
Your own words to Alan" she
began. but he continued as If he had
not heard.
Your instinct was to doubt me at
once" he said conclusively. You
oidnt think the picture might be
yours?'
How could 1? Alan said, Who is
it!' Even the big, old-fashioned
locket," she said bitterly, I'D never
seen before"
You didn't think it might be my
mothers or my sisters; you didn't try
IN some way to reconcile what you
saw with your knowledge of me-" he
said in musing tone. ::
| "Wo:!d care IL you kissed your
mother or your sister? You told
Alan to say nothing to me. Those
words have haunted me-and your
laugh! OH" she said in a burst of
pain, that's how men keep pact to
cheat women-with a laugh and
wink"
That's all. then" he said briskly,
and yet with apathy. Let's get back
QI,
There-they're calling u.s."
He gave an answering "Halloa!"
and started rapidly toward the light.
There was nothing to do but follow
| him. 1t was fiat denouement to the
tragedy in her heart. He had denied
nothing-had only sought by a trick
to place her in the wrong. She was
SO angry, SO dismayed, she grew cold
and weak. She did not try to keep
beside him. He did lot turn his head.
AS they neared the white camps
and the blazing fire OF boughs, she
weakened. She loved him SO much.
II he would only speak, only prove
her really wrong. how glad she would
be!
Bob" she called family.
He turned to her. and she saw his
face serious and calm. He seemed
older. stranger, in a sense Her
own gaze struggled to be still obstin.
ately proud
Bob, If you said what you did to
Alan tc tease me because you thought
I'd overhear-"
Il didn't" he said gently.
We'll, II made a mistake in the
words"
You didn't"
She looked at him helplessly. Then,
don't you see? I know it couldn't be
my picture. or Alan wouldn't have
said. Who is it?' Nor your mothers
or sisters. e;-aer since both are we'll
known to him. Don't you see?" she
said wistfully. Haven't you anything
to say?"
Yes, say this" He flung his arms
wide in quiet. impressive despair. IF
we can't trust each other-if our first
instinct is not to trust each other-if
we can't build our future on each
others love and honor-had we better
go on?"
You want to end IT," she faltered,
with sti1 lips.
Where they stood. the dusk was
heavy. Their faces. revealed and
shrouded In the leaping and falling of
the gypsy fire, were like the faces of
accusing phantoms. Bob heard a sob.
bitterly fought against. break from
her. and in wild way her hands
sought his, crushing ring into them.
1t is ended" she moaned.
But he held her hands fast IAN.
swer me first" His lips were close
to hers. DO you trust me, Betty"
he whispered, with deep. penetrating
tenderness. do you believe love
and honor you? Could lie to and
cheat what I love and honor! Aren't
you nrst with me? Wouldn't I shield
you against the whole world? Aren't
you my saint and my good angel as
well as my sweetheart! Could love
you better than do? Could / need
you more?"
Forgive me, forgive me-" she whis.
pered. and their lips met.
Hours later they were saying good.