The Calumet news., 1912-02-15
BY ANNA
KATHARINE
GREEN
copyhsSt. 1910.
By Anna kathArine RohIfs
CHAPTER XIV.
CHOOSE.

HAVE not finished" were the
irst words we heard from Car
mel when order was restored
and we were all In a condition
to listen again.
Il had 10 relate what you have Just
heard that you might understand what
happened next was not used 10
pain. and could never have Kept on
pressing those irons 10 my cheek II |
had not had the strength given me by
my own reflection III the glass. When
thought the burn was quite deep
enough ! tore the tongs away ana was
lifting them TO the other cheek when 1
saw the door behind me open inch by
inch. as though pushed by nesltating
touches.
INSTANTLY | forgot my pain. almost
my purpose. watching that door. 1
saw 1t slowly swing to its full width
and disclose my sister standing In the
gap with look ana In au atritude
which terrified me more than tue tire
had done. Dropping the tongs. turn.
ed and faced ner. covering my cheek
instinctively with my hand.
II saw her eyes run over my elab-
crate dinner dress-my little hand bag
and the candle burning In room
made warm with a tire on the hearth
this before she spoke a single word.
Then. with deep laboring breath. she
looked me iD the eye again with the
simple question::
land where is hep"
Carmers head had dropped at this.
but she raised It almost instantly.
Mine did not rise so readily.
"'Do you mean Elwoodr l asked
'Yon knowr said she. The veil is
down between us. Carmel. We Will
speak plainly now. l saw him give
you the letter heard you ask Arthur
to harness up the horse. | have de
meaned myself 10 follow you. and we
will have no subtertuges now. You
expect him herer
mo 1 cried. i am not so bad as
that. Adelaide-nor Is he. Here Is the
note. You will see by 1t what he ex-
poets and az what place 1 should have
joined nlm II bad been the selfish
creature you think bad the note
hidden In my breast. 1 took IL out
and held IL toward ner / did not feel
the burn at all. but 1 kept 1t covered
She glanced down at the words. aud /
felt like falling at her feet. she look
ed so miserable.
"She glanced down at the paper and
let 1t drop almost Immediately from
her hand. I cannot read MS wordsr
she crled. 4 do not need 10. We both
know which OF US be loves best. You
cannot say that IL is I. his engaged
wife. was silent. and her face took
on an awful pallor. Carmel" said she.
do you know what this mans love has
been TO me? You are a child, a warm
hearted and passionate child. but you
DO not know wOman's heart. Ger
iainiy you do not know mine. 1 doubt
Il any one does--even ne. Cares have
warped my life. have no charms TO
rival yours; have only love. such
owe as you cannot dream OF at your
age. Ana this is no longer desirable
10 him"
You see that 1 remember every
word she spoke. They burned more
iercely than the iron. That did not
)urn at all just then. ] was cold in-
awtully cold My very
leart seemed frozen. and the silence
vas dreadful. Hut could not speak; 1
'Ould NOT answer her
"'YOu have everything. she now
vent on. Why did you rob me OF my
me nappinessl And you have robbed
ne. Garnet. do you know why ! am
lereT shook my head. I am here
o end Il ALL said she.
II tottered at this threat. and she.
mother 10 me from my cradle. started
TO catch me. but the feet
ng left her before she had taken two
teps. and she stOpped still Drop
our hand!' she cried 4 want TO sec
our whole face while | ask you one
ast question. ! could not read the
ote. Why did you come hereY
ropped my hand. and she stood star
ng; then she uttered cry and ran
ulckiy townrd me. What is itr she