The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-10-28


and go over his story again and
again.
And up In her room Enid was
walking to and fro weary with her
long sleepless night--weary with the
ceaseless flow Of agitated thought
through her brain, and the agony Of
doubt. fear and pain in her tender
young heart. She tried to dismiss
from her mind the suspicious that
would rise; but love, trust, belief in
Gervais were too strong. She knew
the tale Dorothy had told her was
lie. She knew it, for she had faith
omed his nature so we'll.
He a criminal? He commit some
deep and wicked sin, and yet bear
So frank and fearless face? No, a
Thousand times no! Were he to tell
her himself that it was true, Enid
felt that she should not believe IT.;
that it would be said to screen some
one else, whose guilt was only
eQualed by their cowardice.
How could Dorothy say such
thing?" Enid cried passionately to
herself, as the memory Of her cous-
in's blanched face rose beside the
vision of Gervais' straightforward.
honest one, and strengthened the
4 oubt that had sprung, indeed, even
while listening to the plausible story.
Suppose, after all, it were true,
should she have spoken of it to me?
And ! know it is not true-it is false!
False and cruel! She forgot that /
have seen is Ian; that took that
message from her, and there was no
thought of Gervais in his anger; it
was all against her. I. shall never
forget 1t, never; and Dorothy has
lied to me, as she has lied to her hus-
band. Oh, cannot remain here;
the misery of it will be too much for
me-" She clasped her hands together
so tightly as almost to hurt them.
ITO live day by day. and see him SO
deceived, wasting his great love, for
Dorothy does not really love hiin;
she could not love him and tr1dt him
as she does; yet, can go when there
is such trouble around? Perhaps be-
AOAS CO-uoy 40 Outs OOEOtuy udAuO
will have been dragged into this!
The shame would almost kill him!
What shall do? I am so helpless.
so powerless to avert this danger"
1t was thus she had gone on all
the morning, she had touched no
food: her head swan and her limbs
trembled; but her brain lived keenly
and acutely through her bodily weak
ness, working and struggling with
the mass of troubled thoughts that
seemed to gather in multitude each
minute.
The day dragged slowly away.
Dorothy and Enid met at luncheon,
but neither spoke, and each was
grateful that Gervais had been called
away, and could not be present.
Ends eyes wandered every now
and thel to her cousins face. She
was astonished to see it so calm, con-
sidering the share Dorothy had had
in the affair.
There was annoyance and selfish
fear expressed in the steel-gray orbs,
and round the cold mouth, but be-
yond that Enid could trace nothing;
self was the one strong feeling in
Dorothy's breast, and she betrayed
that feeling in her face.
'Has-has anything happened"
she asked, abruptly. as the meal
er lei.
II have not heard: but have been
nnStairc oil tho r,nnru;po
They relapsed into silence again.
and the afternoon wore away in the
same painful fashion.
Dorothy brought her books into
the drawing room and Enid pretend
ed to do some work; but the books
were not opened, and Ends needle
lay untouched in the embroidery.
Perhaps Gervais' wife OWNED that
the girl did not believe that ready lie
she had invented; at all events,
strange though it may seem, Dorothy
grew uncomfortable alone with Enid.
She was not wont to let conscience
trouble her as rule, but Ends
great, truthful eyes always seemed to
gaze into her heart.
Gervais came in about five o'clock.
Dorothy was too frightened to speak
as the door opened and he came in.
What If they had found the man, and
1t was proved that he had seen her?
His first words dispelled that fear.
''The search is positively hopeless"
he said, as he took her in his arms
and kissed her; they can find no
trace. Myself, am beginning to
question whether they have not been
on the wrong scent altogether, and
that your poor old pensioner has been
terribly maligned. By the way, my |
darling, what is he called? You
never told me-
Dorothy moistened her lips, and
thought wildly for some answer.
She had never heard this mans name.
II have always called him old
old Joe, dear; don't know what his
other name isl