The Washington herald., 1912-11-17

i Lady Attwill stared at the crushing
evidence and paled with anger and ter
i ror.
Dor" she cried desperately. Deny
that | can write with my left handI"
Collingwood made an ironical bow.
My dear Alice, your simplicity is
charming, he quoted, softly. The law
viii compel you to prove il. To-mor-
row you will be made to write in court
with all London looking on-snd
every newspaper will be full of it. 1t
isn't the only time you've written that
way. There are certain other speci-
mems about. You've got to own up.
Which of US shall tell George Admas-
ton the truth?" He paused and stud
led her white face and downcast eyes.
Her bosom was heaving tumultuously.
You must, Alice. You must tell him
yourself" She raised her eyes for
moment-an instant's desperately plead
/ ing look at his uncompromising face.
You must" he repeated, grimly.
And without another word he turn
ed on his heel and walked rapidly to
the door. He almost oollided with a
man who was fastening in. and could
hardly suppress a cry of amazement.
1t was George Admaston.
| Convinced at last that he had
wronged the woman who was every
| thing in the world to him, and beliey-
! ing that she could never forget him, he
had come to tell her that he knew her
| to be innocent, and then he would go
/ out of her life forever. But there was
no change in his feeling toward Col
| lingwood. He turned to a window, his
back on the room Collingwood gszed
at him a moment. gave Lady Attwill a
/ last look that was a mixture OF COM
mand and threat, and passed out of the
! house of the woman he loved-forever.
Admaston wheeled at the door
! closed
Alice. what was Collingwood doing
here" he demanded.
Lady AttwiIl stood with bowed head
turned away from him. She did not
/ speak at once, and his suspicious leaped
up again.
strange. faint voice, 'Colling-and |
planned trip to Paris"
She heard him gasp. and in an in
! slant he was beside her. He took her
hand in both his. 1t was cold and
nerveless.
rs that the TRUTH" he demanded in
low, passionate voice.
Yes" she whispered brokenly. her
face averted from his gaze as far as
possible Peggy knew absolutely
nothing about it"
He gripped her hand tighter and
drew deep breath.
Thank God !" he exclaimed fervent-
Iy. Thank GodI'
"And-as-to that letter-l-l wrote
itr'
He dropped her hand suddenly
You! Oh, Alice! Alice! How could
you? How could your
Don't she begged. with sudden
sob. "Let-let me go!" She pressed
her handkerchief to her face and fed
past him and out OF the room.
Peggy was innocent. then The logic
that he had worshiped all his life
had played him false in his life's great
est crisis, and an impulse-an instinct
that he could not resist had told him
the truth He wondered. vaguely and
hopelessly. as he mechanically rang the
beil.
"Ah. Nsieu. you are here" exclaim-
ed Pauline's voice from the doorway.
He looked up.
MY wife-where is she?'
In her room. Msieu" Pauline was
almost incohercnt with joy and excite
ment.
will she see me. Pauline VIII
she?"
''Oh. yes. Msieu."
Tell her | am here. Pauline. Tell
her"
He was still staring a; the floor
when Peggy's voice broke into his rev.
erie
George! Why have you come?'
She advanced slowly into the room. He
threw back his shoulders, took long
breath. and met her grief-haunted eyes.
Peggy, have Just learned who
wrote that letter" he said.
DO you believe now that | didn't
know we should be in Paris" she ask
ed almost duly.
Yes: Peggy" he cried ferventIy, Il
swear it.
With a tremulous sigh Peggy sank
onto the arm of chair
oh, | am tired of it all" she ex-
claimed drearily. He moved over be-
side her
81 want to tell you something and
then I'll 60" he said in a voice that
he made firm with considerable ef-
fort Whatever the others in court
may have thought, l knew you told
the truth. | know you were innocent,
and realized for the first time in my
life how hopelessly small l am? Why,
whatever you did was all my fault! l
thought too much of my career. too lit
tie of you. threw away the one thing
that really mattered-and now I've got
to pay for iti I've lost you, Peggy-I
know that. But you see l know why.
That's all. dear" he concluded, gently,
as he moved away. "I'll 60"
He had nearly reached the door
when she called
George
He turned, gasped. and suddenly
grew dizzy There was a tired smile
on his wife's lips and her swimming
eyes held him. She suddenly held out
her arms.
I'm so lonely" she said. low. Don't
go" (THE END.)
"Jack-One Of U.s." by Arnold Bennett