The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-07-17


Rohlfs
CHAPTER XIV.
CHOOSE"
Sc HAVE not finished" were the
trst words we heard from Car
mel when order was restored
and we were all In a condition
to listen again.
Il had to relate what you have Just
heard that you might understand what
happened next was not used to
pain. and l could never have Kept on
pressing those irons to my cheek II /
had not had the strength given me by
my own reflection in the glass When
l thought the burn was quite deep
enough I tore the tongs away and was
lifting them to the other cheek when
saw the door behind me open inch by
inch. as though pushed by nesitating
touches.
Instantly l forgot my pain. almost
my purpose. watching that door. l
saw it slowly swing to its full width
and disclose my sister standing in the
gap with q look and In an attitude
which terrified me more than the fire
had done. Dropping the tongs. turn
ed and faced her. covering my cheek
instdnctively with my hand.
Il saw her eyes run over my elab-
crate dinner dress-my little hand bag
and the candle burning in a room
made warm with fire On the hearth
this before she spoke single word.
Then. with deep iaboring breath. she
looked me In the eye again with the
simple question:
land where is her"
Carmers head had dropped at this,
but she raised It almost instantly.
Mine did not rise so readily.
"'Do you mean Elwo0dr I asked
You known said she. The veil Is
down between US. Carmel We will
speak plainly now. ! saw him give
you the letter. 1 heard yon ask Arthur
to harness up the horse. | have de-
meaned myself to follow you. and we
will have no subterfuges now. You
expect him hereY
mo- 1 cried. 4 am not so bad as
that. Adelaide-nor Is he. Here Is the
note. You will see by it what he ex-
poets and at what place 1 should have
joined him it / had been the selfish
creature you think had the note
hidden in my breast. took it out
and beid it toward her. | did not feel
the burn at all. but 4 kept it covered
She glanced down at the words. and
teit like failing at her feet, she look
ed SO miserable.
h 'She glanced down at the paper. and
F@let it drop almost Immediately from
her hand. I cannot read his wordsr
she cried. I do not need to. We both
know which OF US be loves best You
cannot say that 1t Is l. his engaged
wife l was silent, and her face took
on an awful pallor. Carmel" said she.
do you know what this mans love has
been to me? You are child. warm
hearted and passionate child. but you
do not know w0man's heart. Ger
| tainly you do not know mine. 1 doubt
II any one does-even he. Cares have
| warped my life. 1 have no charms to
rival yours: have only love, such
love as you cannot dream of at your
age. And this is no longer desirable
to him.
"You see that l remember every
word she spoke. They burned more
iercely than the iron. That did not
burn at all just then. ! was cold in
stead bitterly. awfully cold Ny very
heart seemed frozen. and the silence
was dreadful. But could not speak; l
| could not answer her.
"'You have everything she now
went ON. why did you rob me OF my
one happiness? And you have robbed
me. Carmel. do yon know why | am
here" I shook nay head. I am here
| to end 1t ALL said she.
II tottered at this threat, and she, a
| mother to me from my cradle. started
instinctively to catch me. but the feel
ing left her before she bad taken two
steps. and she stopped still Drop
your hand!' she cried. 1 want to see
your whole face while ask you one
| last question. ! could not read the
note. Why did you come hereY
dropped my hand. and she stood star.
ing: then she uttered cry and ran
| quickly toward me. What is ftT she
cried What has happened to your Ii
It the shadow or
| II caught her by the hand. l could
| speak now. Adelaide said /, you
are net the only one to love to the
point of hurt l love you. Let this
little scar be witness. Then. as hel
| eyes opened and she staggered.
caught her to my breast and hid my
face on her shoulder You say that
tomorrow shall be free to receive
notes He will not wish TO write then
| tomorrow. The beauty be liked is gone
II 1t weighed overmucb with him. ther
you and are on a plane again-or
am on an inferior one. Your joy viii
be sweeter for this break
"She started. raised my head from
her shoulder. looked at me and shud
dered. but no longer with hate. Car
mel she whispered the story-tht