The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-05-07

morning l overheard Grace making
| the most appalling confession to her
+, sister. Grace seemed so crushed by
what she had done, so penitent, so
| hlled 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 sakem 1 exclaimed.
horror stricken. Did you learn the
nature of the crime?"
"Only this: heard Grace say, moan
ing all the while: On my life, when
l went to live with Harry l did not
know that he was married 1 believ-
ed myself to be his lawful wife
When he turned me of 1 was so
sunken that all sense of shame had
gone out of me. and when Maynard
took me up -
l heard no more, for, burying my
face in the pillows on my bed, | 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 did that
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 possessed a spark of real purity
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 it 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 I was going, and told
her anywhere that would prevent my
meeting that shameless girl again. Bel
tried to quiet ME, but it was no use
| was frantic. Fortunately 1 couldn't
go away that night, for l had not de-
cided where to go. Bet made me prom
Use that would not go in the morning
without seeing her and left me to my
self. She brought up my dinner to me,
and l managed to swallow a few
mouthfuls. After dinner l 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 1t was. Then the whole thing
rushed upon me- | went down to
breakfast and drank a cup of coffee. !
knew that 1t 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 sat down in |
the library and took up the morning |
paper. Bet came In and, standing be
hind me, soothingly put her arms on |
my shoulders. Then she called my at
tention to the fact that | was holding |
the paper upside down. l smiled a
sickly smile and reversed it.
About II O'Clock Bet came to me |
again with a scared look on her face |
and said:
''Oh, Henry, there's some awful trou
bic between those girls. l can hear |
them plainly in my room. Margaret
has been treating Grace so badly that |
the worm has turned. She's desperate |
Margaret is goading her, and she will |
either go mad or kill her sister or both |
do think you ought to go in there and
stop it."
Springing up, l followed Bet to her
room, and, putting my ear close up
against the wall where she indicated | |
listened. Grace was speaking, but | |
NO040 OAly HudL sue Stlu
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 |
rryha ha ~
on one side Of the threshold, while the
sisters stood on the other SIDE
whats the matterY' asked both girls |
in a breath
Matter! What's the matter here?"
Nothing"
Nothing! 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 heardv'
1--WE 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 a sitting for
any especial part they were accustom
ed to work themselves up to feel and
consequently to look it, 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
sion fresh. 1t was these rehearsals
we had overheard. There was nothing
to be ashamed of in their work. but l.
was unusual, and persons who knew Of
it asked so many questions that the sis
ters became tired of answering them
l married Miss Grace Bernard ain
stopped the rehearSaIs. Her sister SOC
after married. and numerous artiSt
were disappointed at losing vaiuat
models.
Tho Madam Girl