Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-05-28

snatches Of what was being said, but
it was enough to convince me that
after all, Margaret was right. This
morning | overheard Grace making
the most appalling confession to her
sister. Grace seemed so crashed by
what she had done. SO penitent, so
filed with despair. that l found my
self weeping for her. And you should
have heard how nobly Margaret talk
ed to her She was motherly as well
as sisterly and was as encouraging as
could be expected TO one who had
sunk SO deep in shame
"For heavens sake!u exclaimed.
horror stricken. did you learn the
nature of the crime?"
"0nly this: heard Grace say, moan
ing all the while: ON my life, when
/ went to live with Harry did not
know that he was married. / beliey-
ed myself to be his lawful wife.
When he turned me of l was so
sunken that all sense of shame had
gone out of me, and when Maynard
took me up -
/ heard no more, for, burying my
face in the pillows on my bed, l put
my hands to my ears to shut out the
rest of the horrid revelation. Betty
quietly withdrew and left me to re-
cover from the shock alone, knowing
from experience that this was the
best way to comfort me. And this
was the finale of that blessed content
ment which for weeks had been steal
ing over me, realizing as l did that l
loved and was loved; this the girl to
whom my affections had gone out!
How could she have been able to hear
those first tender words / had spoken
to her knowing what she was? Had
she would. have WINGED at being adj
dressed as ] addressed her, she know
ing the while what she was. Bet had
said that she was penitent. Had she
grieved for her fall 1t would have
been impossible for her to accept
what / had said to her with that
modest look on her face. Her self
control had been marvellous. But
have always heard that those deepest
dyed in iniquity maintain consum-
mate assurance
What should | do? Not for the world
would meet again the girl who had
deceived me. arose from the bed and
began throwing some clothes In a suit
case. Bet heard me and returned. She
asked me where was going, and told
her anywhere that would prevent my
meeting that shameless girl again. Bet
tried to quiet me. but 1t was no use.
l was frantic. Fortunately couldn't
60 away that night, for | had not de.
cided where to go. Bet made me prom
Use that | would not 20 In the morning
without seeing her and left me to my
self. She brought up my dinner to me,
and | managed to swallow a few
mouthfuls. After dinner / went out
and walked the streets till late, then
went in and to bed.
awoke shortly before daylight with
| a realization of some frightful trouble
| hanging over me, but 1t was not till
had rubbed my eyes that l remember.
| ed what II was. Then the whole thing
rushed upon me. | went down "a
breakfast and drank a cup Of coffee.
| knew that It wouldn't do for me to ap-
pear at the office in my present condi-
ton of mind, SO l telephoned that
was indisposed and would not go down
before afternoon. Then l sat down In
the library and took up the morning
paper. Bet came in and, standing be
hind me, soothingly put her arms Oh
my shoulders. Then she called my at
| tention to the fact that was holding
the paper upside down. l smiled q
sickly smile and reversed it.
About IL O'Clock Bet came to me
again with scared look on her face
and said.
"Oh, Henry, there's some awful trou
| BILE between those girls. can heat
| them plainly IN my room. Margaret
has been treating Grace SO badly thai
the worm has turned. She's desperate
Margaret is goading her, and she viii
either go mad or kill her sister or both
do think you ought to go In there and
stop IL"
Springing up. | followed Bet to hel
room. ard, putting my ear close vi
against the wall where she indicated,
listened Grace was speaking, but
could only distinguish what she said
when she spoke In her highest pitch
Her apparently subdued nature seemed
] to have been fired by haunting to de
spair. listened till heard Margaret
say calmly, "Put down the weapon
then bolted for the hall and in anoth
er moment was rapping at the Bernard
| sisters door Bet followed me, and
when the door opened she and | stood
| on one side of the threshold, while the
sisters stood ON the other side
whats the mattery asked both girls
| ia breath.
Matter, What's the matter hereT
Nothing"
''Nothingl Are confessed crimes.
tauntings, threats at murder
| paused A change was coming over
| the faces Of the two girls. They look
ed at each other, then burst out laugh
| ing.
did you hear?"
"Of course we heardr'
Eve thought we had the sound dead
ened- Come in and we will explain.
And they did explain. They sat as
models for artists who portray the pas
sions. just previous to sitting for
any especial part they were accustom
ed to work themselves up to feel and
consequently to look 1t. They commit
ted to memory scenes In plays and re
hearsed them to each other. then went
/ at once to the sitting with the impress