The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-12

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ony Of her existence. however
she had obtained glimpses Of his inner
self, flashes Of the profundity Of his
mind, an inkling OF bis elevation of
sentiment that escaped him, in spite
of himself. quite unconsciously. Her
woman's keen perception had OWNED
a spirituality that was buried purpose
ly by speech and conduct. This had
interested her and given her food for
thought, but she could hnd no salts
factory explanation. The clew to the
mystery, which, truth TO tell, interest
ed her but mildly, had come to her
first on the evening Of her husbands s
attack ON Captain Williams in the lit
tie Harlem fat. when. after he had
let fall and smashed the cup, he had
remarked little ruefully that he had
let slip everything he had ever had in
his life that was worth while. The
confirmation OF her deduction that his
unrequited love for herself had been
the death Of ambition and accounted
for his aimless, lonely existence, which
she had been inclined to reject as alb
surd was obtained on that momentous
night just before her husband extin-
guished utterly and forever the lew
embers of love for him that still were
live. After he had told her the story
of his life IN his quaint, everyday
speech and her heart had gone out to
him in that burst Of irrepressible SYM
pathy the CONSERVATION this had caused
him had uncovered his secret as in a
book, for in that moment she had seen
beyond the mere start of timid mod
esty.
Later, after the shock of Brooks ac-
ton had ceased to obsess her and he
had receded further and further to-
ward memory, she had set free her
imprisoned inclinations. Once more
her rejuvenated fancy had taken wing
to the heights Of the ideal and roman
tic. Somehow it had come to asso-
ciate Jimsy with its excursions. Pos
SCISSOR of his secret she had set herself,
while Disgusting her task with cum
ming, to the dangerous study Of the
heart that had held it so long inviolate.
The knowledge that he loved her with
such steadfast intensity rekindled love
on the dead ashes her husband had
left behind, and for the very reason
that Jimsy betrayed his sentiments in
nothing, held unswervingly to the line
of conduct toward her he had followed
ever since she had refused to take seri.
ously his offer of marriage, this love
had grown stronger, fiercer, until II
had filed her life. She saw that she
had passed happiness by. She exalted
Jimsy's secret passion until in her
imagining he became the incarnation
of nobleness. of desire. OF all mortal
joys.
She brought heap of blueberries to
him and poured them into his Joined
hands, and they seated themselves on
a rock to eat them and to rest.
This is the most enjoyable picnic
I've had in years" she said gayly. at
was quite an inspiration OF yours to
run up to visit us. Why don't you
come often instead OF spending your
week ends in the hot city? You ought
TO take a vacation and stay here for a
few weeks"
I'D like to awfully," he told her,
but the fact is I'm too busy to think
of getting away. Williams is piling a
whole lot of work and responsibility on
me these days. Williams, you know,
isn't what you'd call an easy boss. If
he raises a mans salary he sees to II
that he gets his moneys worth He
simply won't be bothered, even with
matters that amt precisely details"
TITS because he trusts you, Jimsy,"
she assured him with an intonation
perilously near to tenderness.
$50 you see," he went on, Its easier
to talk about holidays than to get
them. l shouldn't be here now, for
Pm working Sundays as well as other
days at present, only that ] had 10
come up on a matter Of importance"
"Oh," she said, with a pout, "I
thought you came to see us for our
selves, not on a business trip. No
more berries for you"
II came for the express purpose OF
seeing you and % talking to you
alone"
Her heart huttered violently, sufIocat.
4hEi1t again
ITO me-aloneT'
"Yes. I've seen joe"
The pronouncing OF her husbands
name was 10 her as a heavy blow.
Sweet timorous expectancy. hot, tur-
bulent bushes that she had bent TO
hide vanished instantly, and she look
ed up at him startled.
Joe walked In on me nve nights
ago. He looks well and is doing well. -
What is that to meT"
The words came in chilling accents,
and her eyes grew hard.
Emma, do you remember that on
that night Just before you learned the
truth told you about that chap In
Denver who was long on love anu
short on honor and kind OF took the
view that II was his wife's place to
overlook things and help him get
rightT
''WellY'
We'll I'm still OF that opinion"