Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-23

of bitterness.
"Carnia!" he whispered. al know now. God for
give me that did not know before-out there in the
schoolhouse when you gave yourself to him. You loved
me then-you love now! Isn't that why you trembe,
Camilla? You need not speak Your heart is close to
mine, and l can read"
mo- no, mol" she murmured. at is not true! you
must not! l did not mean what said! You misunder-
stood
"Once I misunderstood he cried: II won't make
the same mistake again. 1t 1 who found you
parching there in the desert and taught you how to
grow, who showed you that life was something more
than the barren waste you had found it. Won't you
forgive me? was fool-and worse! Look up at me,
Camilla dear. You were mine out there before you
were his At least half of what Jeff Wray has stolen
from me-your spiritual side"
At the sound of her husbands name she raised her
head and looked up at him in daze. He caught her
again radlv and his lips brushed her cheek; but
she started from his and sped the length OF the room
away from him.
"Camla!"
"No, no! You must not" She stood facing him,
wildly pleading. "Don't come me, Cort! Is this
the way you are going to try to forget the way you
will teach me to forget!
al didn't know them want you Camilla"
AS he forward she retreated to the door of the
library and put her hand the knob. She so alb
sorbed that she did hear the soft pater OF feet
the other side.
"Then l must go" she said decisvely.
He stopped, looked at her blanky, then turned
al suppose you're right" he said quietly. Forgive
me. had almost forgotten"
HE slowly paced the room away from her and his
IL head in his hands, sank in distant chair. He
heard her sharp sigh and the sound of her footsteps
she gathered courage and came forward. But he did
not move and listened with the dull of broken
man from whom all hope has departed
at is going to be harder than thought. hoped at
least that could keep what was in my heart secret
When my secret was my own, it did not if was
doing any injustice toto Jeff. 1t my heart that
breaking not his. What did my secrets matter as
burden know doing him great wrong, greater
wrong even than he has done to YOU can't blame
you for coming here. 1t is hard to forgive wrong like
that. But with it is different. No matter what JET
has DONE what he may do my duty is very clear, my
duty to him. and to you. l don't know just how
must have time to think it out for myself One thing
is certain, must not see you again.
He waved hand in depreciation That is SO easy to
say! You shall again!" he threatened. Il will
not give you up!'
York
"I1l follow you," doggedly: you're mine"
She paused in disrnay. Were all the odds to be
against her? A sudden terror grpped her heart and
left her supine. She summoned her strength with an
effort.
to me like that! will not listen! You don't know what
a don't care what I'm saying! You have driven
mad!"
As he rose she retreated, still facing him, her lips
pale, her eyes bright, her face drawn but resolved:
"And l" she said clearly, II again. If you
follow shall ring Do you hear!"
Her hand sought the wall then was arrested IN mid
air. sound of voices, the ringing of bell and the
soft pater of servants steps in the corridor brought
Cortland Bent to his
dts Jeff" she whispered breathlessly And then
with quiet air of self command, the dignity of well
bred hostess Twill you sit down, Mr.. Bent? will ring
for tea"
IN the Swallowed doorway tall figure stood.
"Why, Jeff" said Camilla coolly. "You're early,
aren't you? l thought"
She rose as she realized that the man in the doorway
rock coat garment Jeff affected to despise,
and that the hair at his temples wa white. Il beg
pardon" she murmured.