Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-06-27

We asked her We feel deeply morti-
fed But now we hope you both will
come.
1--WE are beggars now, Miss Grace"
! said. I need time to look around, to
hit upon some plan Of life. | must
make another home for myself and
I for
"For me?" She faced me squarely
now, eye to eye. A smile was on her
lips, and it seemed to me bitter one,
but / could not guess what was hid
den in her mind saw her cheek flush
slowly, deeper than was usual with a
Sheraton girl.
"For my wife, as soon as that may
be-" answered, as red as She
II learn that you did not see Colonel
Meriwether.' she went on politely
"How did you know it?'
Through Captain Orme.''
YES" said l quietly, II have heard
of Captain Orme-much Of him, very
much" Still ! could not read her
face.
HE was with us long time this
summer" she resumed presently.
Some two weeks ago he left, for
Charleston, think. He has much
business about the country"
Much business" | assented, in
many parts of the country. But most
of all with men Of the army. So Cap
tain Orme-since we must cali him cap
! tain and not minister-was so good as
to inform you of my private matters"
Eyes" Again she looked at me
squarely with defiance. Il know all
about it. know all about that girl"
So there it was. But l kept myself
| under whip hand still. Il am very
| glad 1t will save me telling you of
myself. 1t is not always that one has
the good fortune of such early messen-
gers
go on, she said bitterly; "teil me
/ about her"
/ Il have no praises to sound for bar
| do not wish to speak of this If you
] prefer to hear it from others than my
] SELF
/ She only smiled enigmatically, her
mouth crooking in some confidence she
| held with herself. but not with me.
1 "It was natural" she said at last
| slowly '.Doubtless would have done
as she did. Doubtless any other man
would have done precisely as you did.
! That is the way with men. After all. /
suppose the world is the world and
/ that we are as we are. The girl who
!, is closest to a man has the best chance
with him. Opportunity is much-very
much. Secrecy is everything.
why should you not both have done
so?" she resumed bitterly. 1--WE are
all human
why should we not have done what
what is it that you mean" / de-
manded of her.
why, there was she engaged to Mr..
Belknap, as am told, and there were
J you engaged to certain young lady
/ by the name Of Grace Sheraton very
] far away. And you were conveniently
lost-very conveniently-an you found
each others society agreeable. You
kept away for some weeks or months,
both of you forgetting. It was idyllic
ideal. You were not precisely babes
in the woods You were man and
woman. ! presume you enjoyed your
selves after a very possible little fash
ion. do not blame you / say l
might have done the same. ! should
| like to know it for a time myself
freedom. do not blame you. only"
she said slowly, in society we do not
have freedom. Here it is different I
suppose different laws apply, different
| customs p
Miss Grace" said /, 81 do not in the
least understand you. You are not the
same girl | left.'
mo. am not. But that is not my
( fault Cannot a woman be free as
much as man? Have not right as
much as you? Have you not been
freeY'
''One thing only want to say" re-
| Joined. land it is this, which | ought
not to say at all. If you mean any,
thing regarding Ellen Meriwether, /
have to tell you, or any one, that she is
clean mind. body. soul, heart-as
clean as when saw her first"
do you know, like you for saying
thatp' she retorted. II would never
marry man who knew nothing of
other women-I don't want milksop;
and would not marry man who
would not lie for the sake of sweet
heart. You lie beautifully! Do you
know, Jack, l believe you are bit of
gentleman. after all!
NBut tell me. when is the wedding to
be?" This last with obvious effort.
You have not advised me-"
'Oh, / beg your pardon. meant
your marriage with Ellen Meriwether
supposed. of course, you had quite
forgotten mew
ELLEN Meriwether is already mar
RED" said to her, with a calmness