Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-03-09

would have seen Elizabeth. would
have known that she was there.
It was Elizabeth, alone, and hurry.
ing away! Already she was approach.
ing the first stair. In moment she
would be gone. Isprang after her by in.
stinct. without plan. clear in my mind
only that she was going. and with her
all the light of the world; that she
was going. and that she was beautiful,
adorable; that she was going. and that
she was Elizabeth!
AS took few rapid steps toward
her, ] had full opportunity to see that
no grief had preyed upon her comeli.
ness, nor had concealment fed upon
her damask cheek, Almost with some
resentment ! saw that she had never
seemed more beautiful than on this
morning. The costume of those days
was trying to any but beautiful
woman; yet Elizabeth had a way of
avoiding extremes which did not ap-
peal to her individual taste Her frock
now was all In pink, as became the
gentle spring, and the bunch of sill
very ribbons which fluttered at her
belt had quite the agreeing shade to
finish in perfection the cool. sweet pic
ture that she made
Elizabeth"
Seeing that there was no escape,
she paused now and turned toward
me. / have never seen a glance like
hers
How do you do?" she remarked.
Her voice was all cool white enamel.
She was there somewhere, but l
could not see her clearly now. II
was not her voice. took her hand,
yes; but 1t had now none of answer
ing clasp.
Elizabeth" began; Il am Just
back. l have not had time-I have
had no leave from you to come to see
you--to ask you---to explain"
Explains" she said evenly.
But surely you cannot believe that
T."
II only believe what seems credible.
Mr.. Trist."
pulled from my pocket the little
ring which / had had with me that
night when I drove out to Elumhurst
in my carriage, the one with the sim
gle gem which i ha6 obtained hurried
ly that afternoon. having never before
that day had the right to do so. In
another pocket found the plain gold
one which should have gone with the
gem ring that same evening. My hand
trembled as i held these out to her.
Il prove to you what mean. Here!
I had no time! Why. Elizabeth. was
hurrying--I was mad!--I had a right
to offer you these things. have still
the right to ask you why you did
not take them? WIN you not take
them now?-
She put my hand away from her
gently. Keep them" she said. for
the owner OF that other wedding gift
the one which received"
Now broke out. Good God! How
can be held to blame for the act Of
drunken friend? You know Jack
cambridge as well as / do myself. I
cautioned him-I was not responsible
for his condition"
1T was not that decided me-"
you could not believe 1t was who
sent you that accursed shoe which be-
longed to another woman"
He said 1t came from you. Where
did you get II. then?"
Now, as readily may be seen. was
obliged again to hesitate. There were
good reasons to keep my lips sealed.
flushed. The red of confusion which
came to my cheek was matched by
that of indignation in her own.
could not tell her. and she could not
understand. that my work for Mr.. Cal
houn with that other woman was
work for America. and so as sacred
and as secret al my own love for
her. Innocent, still seemed guilty.
80 then. You do not say? I do not
ask You"
Il do not deny IL"
''You do not care TO tell me where
you got It