Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-08-10
CHAPTER XXI.
Ellen or Grace.

~ HAVE never met any OF the
Meriwethers." said Grace Siberia
ton. will you gentlemen pre-
u sent me?
l had assisted her to alight. and at
that time a servant came and stood, at
the horses head Stevenson stepped
back to the door. not having as yet
mentioned my presence there. There
came out upon the, gallery as he en-.
tered that other whose presence | had
for some moments known. whom !
knew within the moment l must meet
Ellen!
Her eyes fell upon me. She stepped
back with faint exclamation. leaning
against the wall, her hands at her
cheeks as she stared. l do not know
after that who or what our specta-
tors were. l presume Stevenson went
on into the house to talk with Colonel
Meriwether. whom l did not see at all
at that time.
The first to speak was Grace Shera-
ton. Tall, thin. darker than ever, 1t
seemed to me, and now with eyes
which tiickered and, glittered as 1 had
never seen them, she approached the
girl who stood there shrinking. at is
Miss Mcriwether? ! believe 1 should
know you," she began, holding out her
hand. -
This is Miss Grace Sheraton"
said to Ellen, and stopped. Then
drew them both away from the door
and from the gallery, walking to the
shadows Of the long row Of elms which
shaded the street, where We would be
less observed
For the first time in my life l saw
the two together and might compare
them. Without my will or wish ]
found my eyes resting upon Ellen
Without my will or wish, fate, ma.
ture, love, I know not what. made Sc
lection.
Ellen had not as yet spoken. Miss
Sheraton" 1 repeated to her finally,
'is the lady to whom am engaged to
be married"
The vicious Sheraton temper broke
bounds. There was more than half q
sneer on my fancee's face. Il should
easily know who this lady is" she said
Ellen, flushed. perturbed, would have
returned to the gallery. but l raised my
hand. Grace Sheraton went on. IAN
engagement is little. You and he.
am advised, lived as man and wife,
forgetting that he and l we're already
pledged as man and wife"
THAT is not true" broke in Ellen,
her voice low and even. She at least
had herself in hand and would toler-
ate no vulgar scene.
II could not blame either Of you for
denying it."
ut was Gordon Orme that told her."
1 said to Ellen.
She would not speak or commit her
self, except to shake her head and to
beat her hands softly together as L
had seen her do before when in dis
tress.
"a gentleman must lie like gen.
tleman." went on Grace Sheraton mer-
cilessly. II am here to congratulate
you both"
saw a drop of blood spring from
Ellen's bitten liz.
"What she says is true" I went on
to Ellen. 1T is just as Gordon Orme
told your father and as l admitted to
you l was engaged to be married to
Miss Sheraton. and I am still so en-
gagged"
Still her small hands beat together
softly, but she would not cry out. she
would not exclaim. protest, accuse.
went on with the accusation against
myself.
81 did not tell you. had and have
no excuse except that l loved you
am here now for my punishment. You
two shall decide it,"
At last Ellen spoke TO my hancee'
at is true" said she. Il thonCht my
self engaged to Mr.. COwleS. l did not
know Of you-did not know that he
had deceived me too. But fortunately
my father found us before 1t was TOO
late"
Let us spare ourselves details" re-
Joined Grace Sheraton. HE mas
wronged both Of us"
Yes. he has done wrong" l hearo
Ellen say. perhaps all men DO.
do not want to knew. Perhaps they
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