Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-24
THE FORBIDDEN WAY

Continued IRON, page
legal mind that grasped the essentials OF
Jcff's relation to their common enemy.
What would be the effect of this astonishing
revelation on the mind of General Bent
He did not dare speak of this to Jeff, who in
his present mood could only misinterpret
him. but he was still thinking of it when the
car drew up at the steps OF Wetheralls big
bungalow palace.
GRETCHEN and their hostess met the
- arrivals at the door. and Jeff followed
them in slowly. He wanted to be alone again
to think-and here was sanctuary, Gret
chen paused at the entrance to the morning
room and, taking left By the arm, opened
the door, pushed him in quickly, and closed
it behind him. And while Jeff was wonder
ing what it all meant he heard a step beside
him, felt the timid touch of q hand on his
sleeve, and found his eyes looking down into
Camilla S.
Jeff, she was whispering. "they told me
YOU needed me, and SO | came to you. DO
YOU want meo"
He looked at her mistily; for the mis-
fortunes that hung about him had dullcd his
perceptions 1t seemed strange that she
should be there; but he experienced no sur
prise at seeing her. "Yes, | want YOU, he
said absently. "Of course | want YOU.
He fingered the hand on his sleeve and
patted it gently, as he would have done
child's; but she saw with pain that the
tragedy of his birth now ovcrshadowed all
other issues If he was thinking of her at all,
it was of the other Camilla. the Camilla he
had known longest, the gingerbread woman
that she had been. 1t hurt her. but she
was convinced it was her own fault that he
could think otherwise. She took his hand
in her own warm fingers and held it tightly.
Jeff dear, look at me. IN not the
woman that used to be. I'm the real Ca
milla now the Camilla YOU always hoped
I'd be. I'm changed. Something has hap
pened TO me. | want you to understand
I'm not craven image now, Jeff, I'm just
your wife.
He looked at her bewildcred; but in her
ewes he saw that what she said was true.
They were different eyes from the ones he
had known. softened, darker, and looked
up into his own pleadngly, wet with COM
passion the tender. compelling eyes of a wo-
man whose soul is awakened.
She released his hand and threw her arms
round his neck, lifting her face to his
| want YOU! I've never wanted anybody
else.
His arms frightened about her and their
lips met. She was tangible now,-no mere
image to be worshiped from afar, but a warm
idol of flesh and blood, to be taken into ones
heart and enshrined there.
Camilla girl Is it true:?"
"Yes." she whispered, "it's always been
true, only didn't know ii. | love you, Jeff
| love vou-oh, how love YOU. Better than
myself-better than all the world! Do you
realize it now"
He took her head between his hands and
held it away SO that he might look deep into
her ewes and be sure Their lashcS dropped
once or twice and hid them: but that made
them only the more lovely when they opened
again for in them he read the whole measure
of his happiness and hers.
ayes. its true. know it now. You've
never looked at me like that-never before.
He bent her head forward and would have
kissed her. as he sometimes used to do, on
the forehead: but she would not let him.
NO. not that kiss, the cold kiss of hom-
age. Jeff! | don't want to be venerated.