The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-26
PUT TO THE TEST

overtakes him. But, at any rate. FL
phie, she added somewhat pointedly.
you can pretend to sympathixe very
deeply with the poor fellow. after the
way in which you have treated him
of late
Elphie didn't even hear the last
words She was full of those others:
One never can tei what a fellow
viii do"
Good heavens" she thought.
trembling, does auntie mean he
migAt hurt himself. or--or anything
| like that" What was that horrible
case she had lately read about some
man who shot himself because ne had
lost his fortune?
Il m going to speak TO him myself"
she said uncertainty. shall COM
mand him to come out of that room
at once. I'll say must see him down
stairs Immediately
If you hadn't been so rude to
MIN, her aunt auavered you could
nave offered your sympathy: but he
can't believe you now--when you as
good as ordered him out OF your
| house.
! i don't care" cried EIphle---"and
Tor goodness sake do leave off harp
ing on what has happened"
she ran upstairs, and her heart beat
rapidly as she stood listening outside
Norton's door. Not sound did she
| near After a minutes GREATNESS
waiting. Elphe tapped on the panel
with such weak little fingers that they
nafuy broKe the stiffness, and she had
/ To rap again. This time a voice--his
lvoice-answered.
1t Is I--Elphie,' she said shaki,y.
I We-l-You--" Her voice rraiIed
away. and she made a fresh attempt.
i mean--I--you" And then she stop
! ped. feeling a little hysterical II saw.
t come iown-pfease come down,
want to speak to you at once--aunt
wants to speak to pou at once,'
She beat tattoo on the door with
I nervous fingers. and the next second
I he flung IL open, Site started baniss
not knowing what to say now he wos
there in front Of her, for he looked 80
grave.
II was just coming down." he sad
J SUNNY Il nave had great deal 10
think about this morning, so forgive
me for remaining in my room"
/ "Oh. of course!" she cried hastily.
and wishing her voice would not shake
! SO. Here. come In here" and she
} passed into the room which used to
be her nursery. and In which. In years
gone by, Norton had often rpmped
with her and teased her
Did you have much money in that
/ wretched bank that has broken up?"
! she demanded
Il had pretty well every penny [
possessed. If you really want to know"
Il didn't want To know such
| hing" she bursr out indignantly, and
With tears in her eyes. How dare
you think I'm not n.y. upst as you
are. when we've known each other
all our lives And you'll have to let
me lie your sister and do Just what a
sister--who's got more money than
she knows what to do with--would
do; so It's no Use your standing there
MS stiff as IA poker, Norton. do You
hear? ~
He ayerted his eyes.
You are not my sister. Eiphie, and
a man does not allow an outsider
even though she be his dearest friend
to do as sister would"
She hung her head and the tears
fell-as she said In II low. ettiqerins
voice:
IF a sister may not help. cannot
a sweetheart, wife. Newfoundland
Take me, / want To give you all
have to give. Don't srare--but kiss
Hi1' anu say YOU Will let me Heip.
And then she gasped, for Norton
seized her in his arms, and bestowed.
not one, but many kisses upon the up
turned brow and cheek and Iips
Elphles tears fell fast and thick, as
her arms went round his neck
bur what was he saying-whatr
Forgive me. my own sweet, wiiful
girl. who didn't know her mind until
she thought she saw me suffering.
That wretched bank, as you call II,
held not penny Of mine when It
went sniash-al saw II coming AMI
changed all thar some time since.
own that I have played upon your
dear feeiirxs most deceitfuiiy ana sue
tion sFa test your lows wAe TO- str0nG.