Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-07-11

girl who stood there shrinking. 1T is
Miss Meriwether? / believe / should
know you," she began, holding out her
hand
.sThis 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 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. know not what, made Sc
lection.
Ellen had not as yet spoken. Miss
Sheraton" / repeated to her finally,
sis the lady to whom l am engaged to
be married"
The vicious Sheraton temper broke
bounds. There was more than half a
sneer on my fancee's face. 81 should
easily know who this lady is she said.
Ellen. flushed. perturbed, would have
returned to the gallery, but 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 were already
pledged as man and wife"
'sThat is not truer' broke in Ellen,
her voice low and even. She at least
had herself in hand and would toler-
ate no vulgar scene
81 could not blame either of you for
denying it."
sIt was Gordon Orme that told her."
I 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.
s'A gentleman must lie like a gen.
tleman," went on Grace Sheraton mer-
cilessly. "I am here to congratulate
you both.'
/ saw a drop Of blood spring from.
Ellen's bitten lip.
ssWhat she says is true" went on
to Ellen. "It is just as Gordon Orme
told your father and as / admitted to
you. I was engaged to be married to
Miss Sheraton, and am still so en-
gagged"
Still her small hands beat together
softly, but she would not cry out, she
would not excaim, protest, accuse.
went on with the accusation against
myself
81 did not tell you. had and have
no excuse except that loved you. l
am here now for my punishment. You
two shall decide it."
At last Ellen spoke to my fancee.
sTt is true,' said she. 81 thought my
self engaged to Mr.. Cowles. / did not
know of you-did not know that he
had deceived me too But fortunately
my father found us before it was too
late.''
.sLet us spare ourselves Details re-
Joined Grace Sheraton. "He has
wronged both of u.s.
eyes, he has done wrong" l heard
Ellen say. Perhaps all men do.
do not want to know. Perhaps they
are not always to blame. do not
want to know"
The measure of the two women was
there in those words, and I felt it.
"Could you want such man?" ask
ed Grace Sheraton bitterly. l saw Ellen
shake her head slowly. I heard her
lips answer slowly. mo" she said,
"Could you?"
/ looked to Grace Sheraton for her
answer. and as | looked saw
strange and CHASTITY change come over
her face "My Godr she exclaimed.
reaching out her hand against a tree
trunk to steady herself. "Your leav-
ings? No, But what is to become of
me?"
'sYou wish him?'' asked Ellen. you
are entirely free. But now. if you
please, see no reason why ! should
trouble you both Please. now. shall
60"
But Grace Sheraton sprang to her
side as she turned. | was amazed at
her look. 1t was entreaty on her face.
not anger! She held out her hands to
Ellen. her face strangely distorted
And then / saw Ellen's face also
change. She put out her hand in turn.
s'There," she said, ''time mends very
much. Let us hope Then I saw
her throatswork oddly, and her words
stop.
No man may know the speech with
which women exchange thought
saw the two pass a few PAGES apart,
saw Grace Sheraton stoop and whis-
per something.
1t was her last desperate resource.
1t won. as courage should, or at least
as much as lie may win at any time.
for it was a bitter, daring, desperate
shaming lie she whispered to Ellen.
AS Ellen's face turned toward me
again saw slow, deep scorn invade