Atlanta Georgian., 1912-06-29

now the master - MF. Plmpton, before
whose pertinacity the walls of Jericho had
fallen; and finally the queer, twisted Rich
ardson mansion of the Everett Constables,
whittier he was bound, with its recessed
doorway and tiny windows peepng out from
under medieval penthouses
He was ushered into library where the
shades we're already drawn, where a white
clo9ned tea-table was set before the fire
the red rays dancing on the silver tea-kettle
He stood picturing, now, the woman in
answer to whose summons he had come
With her finely chiseled features, her aoun-
dant wh.te hair her slim figure and erect
carriage she reminded him always of
Vigee Lebrun portrait. He turned at the
sound of her voice behind him.
How good of you to come. Mr.. Holder,
when you were so busy" she said taking
his hand as she seated herself behind the
teakettle. Il wanted the chance to talk to
you, and it seemed the best way. I wanted
to tall to you about Gertrude"
He looked unenlightened.
About my daughter Mrs. Warren. She
lives in New York, YOU know-on Lone
Island"
Running through Holders mind, trou-
bled current we're certain memories con
nected with Mrs Warren Was she the
divorced daughter or was she not?
"Gne's had such hard time. poor dear,
my heart has bled for her There was
barely perceptible tremor in Mrs Consta
bles voice "All that publicity and the in
evitable suffering connected with 1t! And
no one can know the misery she went
through she is so sensitive. But now, at
last. she has g chance for happ .ness-the
real thing has come
The real thing he echoed.
Yes. She's going to marry a splendid
man, E bridge Sumner. know the family
we'll The, have always stood for public
spirit and this Mr.. Sumner, although ne is
little over thirty was chairman of that VIC
Commission which made such a stir IN Ne"
York a year ago. Hes lawyer, with
fine future, and they're madly in love And
Gertrude realizes nov, after her experience
the true values in life. She was only chllu
when she married Victor Warren.
"But Mr.. Warren" Holder managed to
say lis still liyins
~ sometimes wonder, Mr. Holder she
went on hurrieQy, whether we can reallze
how different the world is today from
what it was twenty years ago, until some
thing of this kind is actually brought nome
to US | shall never forget how distressed
now overwhelmed Mr. Constable and
we're when Gertrude got her divorce.
know that they are regarding such things
differently in the East but out here-We
never dreamed that such a thing could
happen to us, and we regarded It as a dis
grace But gradually''-she hesitated and
looked at the motionless clergyman
gradually | began to see Gertrude's point
Of view to understand that she had made
a mistake; that she had been too young to
comprehend what she was doing. Victor
Warren had been ruined by money; he
wasn't faithful to her but an extraordinary
hing has happened in his case. He's
married again, and Gertrude tells me he's
IDLY naDr, and has TWO children
"You are telling me this Mrs Constable.
Vhy2' lie asked
Because | wished YOU to know the exact
situation before I asked you, as a great
favor to me, to Mr., Constable. TOTO marry
her in ST Johns or course" she went on
controlling her rising agitation, and antci-
pating a sign OF protest, Eve shouldn't ey-
pect to have any people-and Gertrude
wasn't married in ST Johns before; that
wedding was at Passumset--our seashore
place Oh Mr.. Holder before you answer
think of our feelings, Mr.. Constables and
mine! If you could see Mr.. Constable you
would know how he suffers-@this thing has
upset him more than the divorce"
She paused, breathing deeply, and Holder
gazed at her with pity. What he felt was
more than pity; he was experiencing indeed
but with deeper emotion, something CT
that same confusion OF values into which
Ella nor Goodrich's visit had thrown him
II gives me great PAIN 10 nave TO refuse
YOU" he said gently.
"Oh, dont' she said, sharply, don't say
that! ! can't have made the case clear
You are too big. too comprehending, Mr.
Holder. to have hard-and-fast rule There
must be timeS-aXtenuating circumstances
and believe the canOns make it optional
for clergyman to marry the innocent per.
SON"
Yes it is optional, but do not believe it
should be The question is left to the cler-
gymans conscience. According to my view.
Mrs Constable. the Church, as the agent Of
God. effects an ndissoluble bond And
much as ! should like to do anything in my
power for you and Mr. Constable, you have
asred 'ha impossible
But surely" she said, I'VE ought not to
be punished for our mistakes, ( cannot be.
eve that Christ Himself intended that His
religion should be so nelastic so hard and
fast so cruel as you imply Surely there is
enough unhappiness without making more"
Holder did not attempt 10 refute her-she
had, indeed, made discussion impossible
She knew his arguments. as she had de
clared, and he had the intelligence to realize
that a repetition of them on his part would
be useless.
He sat gazing at her. his head bent, his
strong hands on the arms Of the chair.
We never can foresee how we may
change he answered, a light in his eyes
that was like a smile yet having no sueges-
tion of levity And his voice-despite his
agreement-maintaned the quality OF his
sympathy
The continuation of this mastery novel is
in the July Hearst's Magazine Yon will