Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-03-07
CHAPTER XVII.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END

VI Cd LII III SlHluU6F that idSt6u only I'M
til broad daylight had come, She was
awakened by the sun shining into her
eyes. 1t was the mating time. From
without came the blithe call of bird
to mate. She stirred contentediy 1t
was the first night she and Bob Me
Adoo had passed under the same roof
The thought was like caress.
She arose and went to her bath. to
emerge fresh and glowing. She went
downstairs to find the hall deserted
by all save the sleepy manservant.
rs no one down?" she asked him.
'Mr. McAdoo, madam" he answer
ed, struggling manfully to stiie
yawn. Beg pardon. madam. He's
been out these two hours-went to
send a telegram, he said"
She passed on out to the wide vine
covered veranda. There she stood.
drawing in deep breaths of the pure
spring air.
LET me not be too happy. Let me
not forget that there is a tomorrow"
From down the street came the
clang of swift footsteps. Her heart
beat time to the stride She knew
who the pedestrian was.
He halted close to her Once again
he caught her in that grip of the eyes
from which she could not free herself
you are like no woman | have
known" he said slowly.
"Yet you have known none but good
women"
He shook his head proudly THAT
is not the difference"
Il have given you little reason to
think me good" she said sadly.
"You are good; know that. But
were you the wickedest woman in the
world still you would be the one wo-
man to me. Eleanor, Eleanor he
hreathed
"Ah." she cried You must not.
We dare not"
How | love you!'
"Ahr' She drew long. shuddering
breath. Then her head went back
proudly "Why not? Why may our
lips not say what our hearts and eyes
have said. since we ask nothing?
love you. always shall. can't
help it,
DO you want to help it?'
"Seev'
She stepped down one stair, where
her face was on level with his.
Fully and freely she gave him of her
eyes. that through them he might see
down into her heart. afire with the
love SURPRISING. that asked nothing.
that was content with loving.
Eleanor, Eleanor" he breathed
again.
Eyes" She met his eyes steadily.
fearlessly. Even though we may
never know the happiness of sharing
one life | shall always be yours and
you mine. Life can't take that from
u.s."
He turned away in the anguish of
temptation. His big body trembled.
His voice was hoarse as he spoke
81 know now why men give up hon
or for a woman. Do you know how
easy it would be for me to throw ey
erything else overheard and seek hap
piness with just you in spite of every
thing even now?"
Look at mer' Slowly he turned
once more to meet her eyes. You
will not tempt me, will you? You
are stronger than /; you mustn't LET
me be weak. Do you think ] don't
know? How often during the last
two years | have prayed that you
might be weak enough to come to me
and that might be weak enough to
yield. But we must not 1t would be
coward,y happiness. 1t wouldn't be
clean Until he is found and we know
he is reclaimed we could never be
really happy: there would always be
a stain on our love. We know what
selfishness brings. You belong to the
people of this state. Our false happi-
ness would cripple you. because you
would always have the knowledge
that you hadn't been true to yourself
And if you aren't true to yourself
how can You be true to your trust?
You won't tempt me. Will you! Sne
pleaded. her voice growing more and
more unsteady. Because II am SO
happy in inst being near you. When
am with you something keeps pull
ing. pulling me to you. am almost
past the resisting point. Don't tempt
me. yet / want you to tempt me-you
must be strong for both of us.
'sAnd remember" she went on. try
ing to be strong remember that it is
harder for me than for you. Tomor-
row. after the funeral. ! go back TO
my little work. which. after all. is
only a scanty refuge. while you go
on to your great task that often will
shut me out of your mind and heart.
It will always be that-your work al
WAYS FIRST. always second"