The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-12-14

You pleading for him. You seem Il
have executed the vote face"
She flushed. ii have no right to
resent that. The one thing woman
asks of man is loyalty. She should
be the last to seek TO turn 1t away
from another. That / have done so is
my shame"
He shook his head in perplexity
You nave changed since you went
away"
1--WE found out that the world
wasn't created merely for my pleas
ure," she answered quietly.
after ALL" he continued. 1.-THE thing
in which he has been falsest was in
coming between u.s. If he hadn't done
that you could have loved me. That
Sunday when you sang you almost
cared for me. And you would have
let yourself love me had 1t not been
for him. Even now you wouldn't re
| fuse me finally were It not for his OPP
| position. But he and have come to
the end"
You're mistaken" she said gently.
THAT isn't my entire reason. He has
told me that he no longer objects. He
proves his friendship by that"
Again Paul fell back Imply in his
chair He has-told-you"- he gasp
ed. "WhenY'
Saturday night-over the tele,
phone"
ut was too late-too lateP'
The music OF the string band and |
the voices of the other diners receded. |
He lost sense even OF the presence of |
the woman before him. He felt mis-
erably alone. Life had dealt hardly !
by him. he thought bitterly There
was no hint of self blame in his bitter
ness. His heart contracted in a spasm
of exquisite sorrow. Tears of self pity
stood in his eyes.
THE end of the dream!" he sighed
at was too good 10 be true Nothing
remains but a memOry-the deathless
memory of what might have been"
Even in his bitterness he could turn
his pretty phrase.
Tears were in her eyes too. sYou'H
forget. I'm not worth even a men,
DRY "
She could with difficulty preserve
the steadiness of her voice as she
spoke.
81 have no right to ask you any.
thing. haven't been fair with you.
But | am fair with you now-I'm try.
ing to atone for my sefshness- when
| say 20 back TO him and forget me.
You are all he cares for. and he is far
more worthy of your love than am.
You will find your true happiness
with him and John Dun. I
meade. And III will go away where S
you can both forget me and | can no 1
onger stand between you. 1. not he.
have been the marplOt.''
ITS too late" he said listlessly. He
md | have parted forever"
at is never too late TO atone for a Il
'ault Be generous to me. If not to
him." she pleaded anxiously. s
The quality of his smile changed. b
TO you? What is he to your"
''He is a man who despises me
JUSTLY" she answered steadily. HE
8 man whom my brother is cruelty
eeking to destroy and to whom |
ave carelessly. selfishly. done the
reatest injury one can do to another
'aul know how my brother is tempt
ne you You will not do what he
wants; please say you will not See.
m putting aside my woman's pride
D plead for a man who hates me. Be
ause if you do what Henry wants |
lust always feel that the crime is
line"
ITS too late! It's doneT
"Paulr"
A man at the next table turned
larply, hearing the low. gasping cry e:
e looked away again quickly. The
v pierced even Paul's self pity. He
wv her face go death white; a piteous.
ricken look crept into her eyes. An
lbelievable. stunning thought stirred
his heart
do you mean that you
The sadly beautiful picture faded
he pity of self-of the man upon
HON circumstances had played so
rdly-died. He saw his deed in all
shamefulness. its nakedness of de-
nse. The sense of unreality fell {
1m him. He saw the misery he had
Fought
What have done?"
What have we doneT
Mechanically he fumbled for a bill mo
d threw II on the table He rose Co..
I'M his seat. As mechanically she 90,
lowed him out of the restaurant inn
o the street 2
lie gave her one long look. in which +ho
, saw written all his shame: then. n
thout word. he turned and left her. l.,
e watched him until his figure was -,
{ in the crowd. co..