The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-22
did it. 1t was my fault"

ulu IL. IL was my IduiI.
L rose and drew apart from her,
unable to speak. She went on.
But was not then as l am now.
See, was embittered, reckless. des-
perate. was only beginning to
Think only wanted time. I did
not really mean to do all this. l
only thought Why l had not yet
known you day nor her an hour.
Twas all no more than half jest"
How could you do it?" l de-
manded. "Yet that is no more
strange. How did you do it,"
eat the door, that first night.
was mad then over the wrong done
to what little womanhood l could
claim for my own. hated Yturrlo.
l hated Pakenham. They had both
insulted me. l hated every man.
had seen nothing but the bitter
and desperate side of life-I was
eager to take revenge even upon
the innocent ones of this world.
seeing that had suffered SO much.
l had an old grudge against women,
against women, l say-against
women!"
She buried her face in her hands.
I saw her eyes no more till Threlka
came and lifted her head, offering
her cup: Of drink, and so standing
patiently until again she had dis
miSSal.
But still it Is all a puzzle to
me. madam" began. Il do not
understand"
"Well, when you stood at the
door, my little shoe in your pocket,
when you kissed my hand that first
night, when you told me what you
would do did you love woman
when / saw something new in life
l had not seen-why, then, in the
devils resolution that no woman in
the world should be happy if
could help it, l slipped in the body
of the slipper little line or so
that 1 had written when you did
not see, when l was in the other
room. Twas that took the place of
Van Zandt's message, after all!
Monster, it was fate. Van Zandt's
letter, without plan, fell out on my
table. Your note, sent by plan, re-
manned in the shoe!"
And what did it say? Tell me
at once"
Every little. Yet enough for a
woman who loved and who expect
ed. Only this: If spite of that 9th
err woman, come to me still. Who
can teach you love of woman as
can L? Helena l think it was
some such words as those"
81 had not thought any one capa-
BILE of that" said |.
"Ah, but l repented on the in
slant! l repented before night
came. In the twilight l got upon
my knees and prayed that all my
plan might go wrong-if could
call it plan"
But again could only turn away
to ponder.
"See,' she went on; "for myself
this is irremediable, but it is not
so for you, nor for her. 1t is not
too ill to be made right again.
There in Montreal, l thought that
had failed in my plan; that you
were married. You held yourself
we'll in hand; like man, Monsieur.
But as to that, you were married,
for your love for her remained;
your pledge held. And did not l.,
repenting, marry you to her-did
not |, on my knees, marry you to
her that night? Oh, do not blame
me too much"
\ "She should not have doubted"
said l. Il shall not go back and ask
her again. The weakest of men
are strong sometimes.
"Ah, now you are but man! Be-
ing such, you can not understand
how terribly much the faith Of man
means for woman. 1t was her
need for you that spoke, not her.
doubt of you. Forgive her. She
was not to blame. Blame me. Do
what you like to punish me! Now,
| shall make amends. Tell me what
l best may do. Shall l go to her;
shall l tell herr"
Not as my, messenger. Not for
me-"
No? Well, then, for myself?
That is my right. shall tell her
how priestly faithful a man you
were. Come" she said, 81 will bar
gain with you, after ALL"
ANY bargain you like, Madam"
And l will keep my bargain. You
know that l will.
Yes; ! know that"
very well, then. l am going
back to Washington"
How do you mean?"
"By land; across the country; the
way you came"
You do not know what you say,
Madam. The journey you suggest
is incredible, impossible"