The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-02-12
He Wished to
Know TooMuch
BY DOROTHEA HALE


need for him to know. If he had had
wife he would have always been
wondering If she were really devoted
to him above all other men or If he
should die she would forget him and
love another equally well. Henderson
was not married. but he was engaged
to be married to girl who gave every
evidence that she had singled him out
above all other men to love.
Both lived on the Atlantic coast,
md shortly before the wedding Hen
derson announced to his fiancee, Mar
garet Stone, that his presence In San
Francisco was required in the matter
of certain interests he had there, for
he was well off and lived on his In
come. Miss Stone was poor. When
he left her he seemed uneasy about
something. and the lady begged him
not TO go. averring that she had a
foreboding that something would hap
pen to him. Henderson hesItated. He
thought he might settle the matter in
the west by correspondence. But he
concluded to go, and the lovers parted
with mutual forebodings.
Two weeks later Margaret Stone re-
ceived telegram from her fiance that
he was very Ill. but instructed her not
to come to him. The next day she re-
ceived a message from an intimate
friend of his who had gone west with
him stating that Henderson was dead
The friend would bring the body east.
In due time a letter came from the
friend. Ian Gregory. that Henderson
had requested before his death that
his body be inferred without ceremony
and that she should not be present
Margaret was much shocked, but
she bore up nobly under the misfor-
tune. She carried out Henderson's In
structions to the letter. emitting to be
present during the interment Greg
DRY when he arrived called upon her,
and ii was arranged that the two
should go together to Henderson's
grave. Margaret carried plants with
her and put them In the ground SO
that they would grow over the grave.
She found In Gregory a sympathetic
friend He was extremely deferential,
always maintaining delicacy due to
one who has experienced great grief.
She found it difficult to get him to
talk of Henderson's last Illness When
ever she mentioned the subject he
turned the conversation in other chan
nes. intimating that it was a mourn
Ed hnr IN tyQlI
to avoid.
The two made several trips together
TO the cemetery to note the growth OF
the plants and put flowers on Hender
sons grave. but Gregory seemed to
shrink from going there. and the last
time they went together he acted so
strangely that Margaret did not sug-
gest his going again. He grew moody
and disconnected. At times he showed |
signs of taking the place made vacant !
by her fiance; at other times he acted /
as if he would consider such an act a !
betrayal of friendship. Margaret could
not understand him. ANY mystery in |
one with whom we are thrown init |
mately begets an interest and since
that interest with Margaret was in
fiuenced by demonstrations of grow |
ing love for her. she found herself /
thinking great deal of Gregory. One
who has lost a love naturally Graves
to replace that love.
But the more closely they grew to-
gether the more Gregory hung back.
and it became evident that something
was weighing on his mind. Margaret
tried gently to induce him to confide
in her, but the bare mention of such a
thing seemed to wear upon him dread
fully. Believing that he was suffer
ing from qualms at taking his friends
frankness which would otherwise have
been unmaidenly to convince him that
there was no reason to reproach him
self.
The misunderstanding between them
had reached climax when one even.
ing while they were together there
was ring at the doorbell and who
should be ushered into the drawing
room but Henderson himself
Now, 1t is not to be supposed that
any one OF the three under the cir
maintained any steadiness
Of demeanor. Henderson and Gregory
both looked as If they had been caught
stealing. Through Margaret there ran
a tumult of emotions. For awhile
there was an oppressive silence. Then
Margaret essayed to speak, but her
voice failed her Henderson spoke in ]
stead
81 owe you an explanation"
But Margaret recovering herself in
terrupted him.
You owe me no explanation, for | !
understand this mystery which has so ,
ong been puzzing me. have long {
been aware of your ruling passion that I
he love of the woman who loves Il
You shall die with you. You have per-
3etrated this deception in connection
With Mr. Gregory to learn whether |
would be trne TO your memory in the
way you would wish me to be true.
Mr. Gregory consented TO lend him :
'elf 10 your experiment. In one sense
t has been successful. since 1t has
definite result. Had | not
,een deceived | would have married c
lin both for love and to supply the l
,oid in my heart made vacant by your
leath As 1t is, yon have ruined your