Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-06-21


had net had the strength given me by
my own reelection in the glass. When
thought the burn was quite deep
enough ] tore the tongS away and was
lifting them to the other cheek when ]
saw the door behind me open inch by
inch, as though pushed by hesitating
touches.
"Instantly l forgot my pain, almost
my purpose. watching that door.
saw it slowly swing to its full width
and disclose my sister standing In the
gap with look and In an attitude
which terrified me more than the fire
had done. Dropping the tongs, l turn
ed and faced her, covering my cheek
instinctively with my hand.
Il saw her eyes run over my elab-
crate dinner dress-my little hand bag
and the candle burning in n room
made warm with fire on the hearth
this before she spoke single word.
Then, with deep laboring breath. she
looked me in the eye again with the
simple question:
'And where is ne!
Carmel's head had dropped at this,
but she raised it almost instantly.
Mine did not rise so readily.
"'Do you mean ElwoodY I asked.
You know said she. The veil is
down between US, Carmel. We will
speak plainly now. l saw him give
you the letter. l heard you ask Arthur
to harness up the horse. have de-
meaned myself to follow you, and we
will have no subterfuges now. You
expect him here?'
"'No,' cried 4 am not so bad as
that. Adelaide-nor is he. Here is the
note You will see by it what he ex-
poets and at what place l should have
Joined him if had been the selfish
creature you think had the note
hidden in my breast. took 1t out
and held it toward her. l did not feel
the burn at all, but kept it covered.
She glanced down at the words. and i
felt like falling at her feet, she look
ed so miserable.
"She glanced down at the paper and
let it drop almost Immediately from
her hand. 4 cannot read his words!
size cried i do not need to. We both
know which of us he loves best. You
cannot say that it is l, his engaged
wife was silent. and her face took
On an awful pallor Carmel" said she,
do you know what this mans love has
been to me? You are child. warm
hearted and passionate child. but you
do not know wOman'S heart. Ger
tainly you do not know mine. | doubt
If any one does-even he. Cares have
warped my life. l have no charms to
rival yours; have only love. such
love as you cannot dream Of at your
age. And this is no longer desirable
to him"
You see that remember every
word she spoke. They burned more
fiercely than the iron. That did not
burn at all just then. l was cold In
stead-bitterly. awfully cold. My very
heart seemed frozen. and the silence
was dreadful. But could not speak:
could not answer her.
"'You have everything she now
went on. why did you rob me of my
one happiness? And you have robbed
me. Carmel. do you know why I am
here: I shook my head. 4 am here
to end 1t ALL said she.
Il totterea at this threat. and she, a
mother to me from my cradle. started
instinctively to catch me. but the feel
ing left her before she had taken two
steps. and she stopped still. Drop
your hand- she cried. I want to sec
your whole face while I ask you one
last question. l could not read the
note. Why did you come hereY
dropped my hand. and she stood star
ing: then she uttered a cry and ran
quickly toward me. What Is it? she
CRIED. what has happened to you7 IL
Il the shadow or
Il caught her by the hand. l could
speak now. Adelaide said /, you
are not the only one to love to the
point Of hurt. love you. Let this
little scar be Witness Then, as her
eyes opened and she staggered, l
caught her to my breast and hid my
face on her shoulder. You say that
tomorrow I shall be free to receive
notes. He will not wish to write them
tomorrow. The beauty he liked is gone
If it weighed overmuch with him, then
you and i are on plane again-or
nm on an inferior one. Your joy will
be sweeter for this break
"She started. raised my head from
her shoulder, looked at me and shud-
dered, but no longer with hate. Car
MEL she whispered, the story-the
story read you Of Francis /. and
YES l agreed, that made me
think Her knees bent under her; she
sank at my feet, but her eyes never
left my face. 'And-and Elwood?
He knows nothing, did not make up
my mind till tonight. Adelaide, it had
TO be. hadn't the strength toto
leave you ali or-or to say no If he ever
asked me to my face what he asked
me In that note
And then tried to lift her, but she
was kissing my feet, kissing my dress,
sobbing out her life on my hands. Oh,
was happy! My future looked very
simple to me. But my cheek began to
burn, and instinctively l put up my
hand. This brought her to her feet
You are suffering. she cried. You
must go home at once. at once. while /
telephone to DR.. Carpenter We will
go together said We can telephone
from there But at this the awful
look came back into her face, and, see
ing her forget my hurt, forgot it, too,
IN dread Of what she would say when
she found strength to speak.
1T was worse than anything l had
imagined; she refused absolutely to go
back home. Carmel. said she, i
have done injustice to your youth. You
love him, toO-not like a child. but d
woman. The tangle is worse than l
thought; your heart is caught In 1t as
well as mine, and you shall have your
chance. My death will give 1t to you
Il tried to dissuade her I urged
every plea, even that of my own sac