Belding banner., 1912-04-25
CHAPTER Ix.-(contInued.)

She held her answer, qulVerlns
with indignation. That he should
dare Yet there were two things In
his attitude to calm her: an imper-
sonal note, puzzling, and simple dig
nifty that left little foothold for re-
sentiment.
As for Coast. momentarily while
she did not reply the Issue hung In
the balance, whether he should speak
or no: whether enlighten her forth
with or leave her (were she happy In
her marriage) in her FOOLS Paradise.
He felt himself prey 70 discordant
impulses, pride and generosity coun-
selling him, each with a double
| tongue.
Il hold your happiness above all
else," he resumed as the pause length
ened-"far above my own. Katherine.
] That IS why | ask you: are you hap
py."
II have no regrets" she told him
steadily.
That doesn't answer me-"
Her eyes wavered beneath his
searching glance. She turned away
and stared off into the vacancy of the
fog.
HHow is one to tell?" she said pres
emily. Isn't happiness dificult to
define? A thing Of comparative val
ues?. am content, that much
know. have discovered something
in life higher than the qualification OF
self; / have learned that to serve
means more than to be served
married the man loved; he needs
me now, could hardly do without me
am a help to him In his work; he
would probably be unable to continue
1t without my assistance.
have my cares, as he has bis. as yor
have yours. Who has not?
But a year is a long time; have
learned much since She tool
deep breath. Yes" she concluded
| evenly: Il think l may say l am hap
py, Garrett"
But she kept her face averted.
And this?" he asked, stepping T.
A her side and lightly touching her bar
B forearm with his finger.
Just below her left elbow fou
: marks, like blush stripes set close to
gether. stood out like weals upon he
\ delicate skin, where the flesh ha
been bruised by the cruel pressure @
mans strong fingers.
| At his touch she recoiled with
half-stified cry. her face blazing
| "Dont-don't-!" she gasped. tryin
| with faltering fingers TO pull dow
the sleeve. But realizing that II wa
| too late, that he had already seen. sh
recovered, sullenly leaving the sleev
/ as II was.
I'm sorry," said Coast soberly;
didn't mean to touch you. ! didn
think-had forgotten what-what
may not expect you to forget. On
that is his mark, Katherine
Well" she flashed defantly, "ar
what II IL is? Is he, or am ], answe
able to you? Can he not touch me
:" But his undertaking and pen
trating gaze disconnected her; her a
ger rang unconvincing even to ht
self. 1T was an accident" she d
ished lamely. "One OF the servan
angered him--they are Chinese al
stupid-and in his blindness he m
took me for the man and caught I
arm.
1T must have hurt" said Coast, T.
Ing to believe her.
She was silent, facing him with
trace OF bravado He bowed.
Il beg your pardon; It was, as y
suggest, none of my affair. ! mere
happened to notice, and 1t startled
VIII you be good enough to tell
the way TO the beach?"
Silently the woman indicated a p'
leading away from the gate.
Still he fingered, letting his G!
drink their fill Of her; and knew.
a swift flash Of certitude, that ne
had she been more dear to him u
In this moment Of renunciatioh, {
never would bis hearts allegiai