Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12

SOlute VeIdC1Cy, the eSdCIIeSS, lIle lleIdllltSS
of the man. And that, Winifred thought
passionatey, was why it would be so hard
for him either to understand or to forgive her
lack of truth
| He threw down his hat and stick.
"Kitten-the new gown! And it's SO
| sweet"
| And instinctively Winifred felt that the
ringing note of joy in his voice was some
| thing more than mere pleasure in her new
gown. She met his eyes-they were shining
with tenderness. He came over to take her
in his arms.
"My dear little Kitten grill"
She drew back sharply. @No-no! Wait
don't touch me! There IS something
want to tell YOU"
Cant you tell me here, Sweetheart"
"No-no, / can't-not if I'm near you!
Stay where you are-you must! Now lis
ten" She went over to the window and
stood with her face away from him. "Last
night there wasn't any new gown. That
was lie; just as it was lie about the ride
that morning. / don't know why can't tell
the truth; but l canW I have tried,-all
these weeks l have tried to be absolutely
literal, but somehow l cant-that's ALL"
In the silence that followed, except for the
sounds from the street the room was tensely
still. She had not turned or looked toward
him; she was still standing by the window
"And why have you told me this now?"
His voice was quiet; it expressed nothing at
all.
IL don't know"
"And the gown you have on?"
Il bought it to-day so you would not
know"
at answers its purpose-I should not
have known. You knew that?"
Eyes"
"But still you told me?"
"Oh," with hard little laugh, ayou are
trying to help me,-to imply that after all
| was too honest to deceive you. But now
| have started, you may as we'll know the
that sooner or later | would tell some false
hood which l couldn't carry through"
"Then why did you get this new gown
why did you wear it?'
She did not answer.
Before | came you had not intended to
tell met was not until l spoke? That is
what am trying to get at. Answer me that,
Winifred.'
"No, not until you spoke"
Then 1t wasn't because you suddenly
realized that sooner or later | would know
You had time to think that all out before.
You told me because-because 7uhat?" His
voice was compelling.
Because you seemed so glad" she fall
tered. Because | saw then you had
doubted my story about the gown, and you
were so happy to find l had not-lied l
couldn't bear that note of joy in your voice
because | had succeeded in deceiving vou!'
"Ah, that's it-that was what l wanted
Now come here, Winifred!" His voice was
grave but very gentle now.
She did not turn or move. "Come-come,
Winifred! want to talk to you and want
you here beside me-
Still she stood motionless. Then he strobe
over to the window, took her in his arms,
and swept her back to the couch She tried
to draw away; but he held her firmly.
Then suddenly she hid her face against his
shoulder and burst into tears
DOOR little girl! 1t was hard 1t wasn't
an easy thing to do. But know we will
both be glad that you did. Dear, l have
known all along about this fault of yours
| knew long before the incident of the ride
And l wanted to help you conquer it. l
think l can
ooh, you do understands she sobbed, her
face still hidden.
ayes, Dear, understand it all. And l
have seen your efforts to be very literal
these past weeks. have seen you stop and
modify exaggerations, correct small mis-
statements. A life's tendency isn't an easy