Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-03
The Gates of Silence
By Meta SmmiHS, AHtf0r Of "HH5hed Up

trouble so arbitrarily But since YOU do
not come to me as a physician, can only
repeat my former assertion am not
the person you imagine me to be"
lie spoke with an air Of hnality and
arose, with an appearance OF desiring to
bring the conversation to a conclusion
His air was that OF a busy man dis
pleased by waste Of valua BILE time.
Edith felt The ground give beneath her
feet She knew absolutely and certainly
with womans conviction by intuition
which is a hundred times more strong
and deep than mans conviction by logic
that this doctor VINO stood before her
looking at her suavely, IL a little pity
ingly and the Young, smooth ia ced cleric
who had united her in that asphemous
mock marriage to the dead Levasseur
were one and the same. She cast dis
erection to the wind, and in manner and
look now there was that which would
nave given credence TO the supposition
that her mind was unhlnRed
Putting Her of.
Can YOU swear by everything sacred, a"
she cried, that you are not the man who
morning Of June Is, eight years arr? Oh,
morning Of June lS, eight years ago. Oh,
1t was a cruel and despicable thing for
done and can not be helped Only to
me the consequences remain terrible I'M
foreseen--'' ..
rupted her with deprecating gesture
Il can not bear that you should lay open
to me any secret OF your life OF course
a doctor, like priest, by virtue Of his
profession, is made acquainted with many
strange secrets, but since you do not
come to me professionally I do not feel
justified in listening TO what is obvious
ly intended for other ears
Edith rose to her feet
Mrs harrington" DR. Merton inter
when a woman has gone through what
have gone through" she cried, at IL
useless to try to- play the game Of bluff
with her, You can not swear, DR. Merton.
that You were not the man"
Madam # would be ridiculous for me
to bring the name Of sacred things into
the matter ! have already denied all
knowledge of the circumstances at which
you hint"
But desperate now, Edith refused to
be misled From pleading she passed to
threats
What you did was punishable thing"
she cried, but Z nave no desire to insist
upon that aspect of it. All 1 want from
you is "A private admission to my husband
that you did this thing"
"A most modest request" said Merton,
ironically.
An at once, as she looked at him, Edith
realized that she might with as much
hope have expected to touch a chord of
sympathy IN the stone statue of the man
in the central gardens of the square out
side Yet she persisted.
IF YOU can not deny IT, II must be
true. Besides, | know it is true"
Il have denied it, not once. but many
times, Mrs. Darlington he said, sharp
ly. And nOw--I must really ask you
to have the kindness to bring this inter
view to a close
He moved toward the bell and Edith
followed him swiftly
Doctor, no one need ever know" she
said, desperately. 1T would be matter
between my husband and yourself All
] want Is your word that what I believed
to be a marriage did take place All |
want you TO. do is to prove to my husband
that | am not the wanton he thinks me. "
Her voice rose a little in the scale OF
pain. Don't you realize what hap
pence" -
Tc Be Continued in Next Issue.