Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-20
CHAPTER XVIII.
The strength Of the Wesls.


Although Enid Maitland had spoken
when she was alone her teert sank
into the depths as she contemplated
the dreadful and unsolvable dilemma
in which these two lovers found them
selves 80 unwittingly and inextricably
involved. 1t was indeed a curious and
bewildering situation. Passionate
alteration for the other rose in each
breast like the surging tide Of a
mighty sea, and like that tide upon
the shore II broke upon conventions,
ideas, ideals and obligations intangi-
bic to the naked eye, but as real as
those iron coasts that have withstood
the waves assaults since the worlds
morning
The man had shaped his life upon a
mistake. He believed absolutely in
the unquestioned devotion Of a wom-
an to whom he had been forced to
mete out death in an unprecedented
and terrible manner. His unwilling
ness TO derogate by his own conduct
from the standard Of devotion which
/. he believed had inhabited his wife's
bosom, made It impossible for him to
allow the real love that had come into
his heart for this new woman to have
free course; honor, pride and self-re-
spect scourged him Just in proportion
TO his passion for Enid Maitland
The more he loved her, the more
ashamed he was. By a curious COM
bination Of circumstances, Enid Matt
land knew the truth; she knew that
+ from one point Of view the woman had
been entirely unworthy the reverence
in which her husband held her men,
Dry She knew that his wife had not
loved him at all, that her whole heart
/. had been given 10 another man, that
( what Newbold had mistaken for a pas
sionate desire for his society because
there was no satisfaction in life for
/ the wife away from him, was due to a
!, fear lest without his protection she
should be unable TO resist the appeal
OF the other man which her heart
seconded so powerfully. II 1t were
only that Newbold would not be false
TO the obligation Of the other woman's
devotion, Enid might have solved the
problem In a moment.
II was not so simple, however. The
fact that Newbold cherished this mem
b DRY, the fact that this other woman
b had fought so desperately. had tried
(. go hard not to give way, entitled her
|; 70 Enid Maitland's admiration and de-
h manded her highest consideration as
u well. Chance. or Providence, had put
her in possession Of this woman's Sc
cret. Il was as If she had been caught
inadvertently eavesdropping. She
could not in honor make use of what
she had overheard, as it were; she
could not blacken the other woman's
y memory. she could not enlighten this
man at the expense Of his dead wife's
reputation.
Although she longed for him as
much as he longed for her. although
4 her love for him amazed her by it,
depth and intensity, even to bring hel
happiness, commensurate with hel
feeling. she could not betray her deac
sister. The imposts of honor, how
hard they are to sustain when the!
conflict with love and longing.
Enid Maitland was naturally not
little thrown off her balance by tn,
situation and the power that was hers
What she could not do herself sh,
could not allow anyone else to dc
The obligation upon her must be Ell
tended TO others. Old Kirkby had n,
right 10 the woman's secret any NOR
than she: he must be silenced. Arm
strong. the only other being who wa
privy TO the truth, must be silenoe
zoo
One thing at least arose out Of tn
sea OF trouble in a tangible way; sh
was done with Armstrong Even 1
she had not so loved Newbold that sh
could scarcely give q thought to an
other human being, she was done wit
Armstrong.
A singular situation! Armstron
had loved another woman, so had New
bold; and the latter had even Marie
this other woman, yet she was quit
willing to forgive Newbold, she mad
every excuse for him, she made non
for Armstrong. She was an eminent
sane. Just person. yet as she though
OF the situation her anger agaiuS
Armstrong grew hotter and hotter
was a safety valve to her feelings, a
though she did not realize II. Afte
all. Armstrong; actions rendered he
a certain service: IL she could "a
over the objection in her soul, II sh
could ever satisfy her sense Of homo
and duty and obligation. she could Sc
tie the question at once. She ha
only TO show the letters to Newbol
and to say: These were written b
the man Of the picture: il was he. an
not you, your wife loved" and New
bold would take her to his heart Fl
stRntly.
These thoughts were not without
certain comfort TO her. All the con
pensation OF self sacrifice Is In II
realization. That she could and d
not somehow ennobled her love Il
him. Even women are alleged Wit
base metal In the powerful an
universal appeal Of this man to he
she rejoiced az whatever was Of Il
soul rnther than OF the body. I
possess power. TO refrain from usin
Il in obedience to some higher law,
perhaps TO pay oneself the most IA
fering Of compliments. There was