Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-13
The. Gates of Silence
By Meta Smmfns, Author Of "Hushed Ub''
TODAY'S INSTALLMENT.

"wen. isn't she worth even the descent
into hades?"
Betty gazed at the face Of the woman
who looked out from the canvas at her.
The first glance was a revelation OF beau
~ that almost took her breath away, the
second a revolt against the insul, it Of
.fered TO all her tenderest susceptbiliues
"A sense Of horror which, as it seemed,
would never leave her.
And yet the subject and the treatment
in all save one particular were absolutely
conventional II represented the woman
bearing her box Of spikenard exceeding
precious: the glorious hair of tradition
streamed over her white, bare shoulders,
and from the cloudy background shone
out the spear Of light. symbol Of the Holy
Spirit once again the painters wife had
served d s his model Darlington who had
never painted Edith. who had never suf-
fered others TO paint her
Only in one instance the departure
from conventional treatment vet it made
Of the picture mockery, basphemy
and a horror. The eyes of the Magdalen
were not tear-fBed cast up in penitence
to heaven. they looked ont from the can
vas, filed with evil laughter the mallg-
nant laughter OF the woman who has
tasted Of all things, who has seen all
things, and, behold, they we're very evil.
Not Finished.
oh" The girl gave little cry and
dung up her hands to her face to shut
out the sight of ii.
You like it," Barringtons voice came
to her as from great distance, penetrat-
ing into this world of horror where her
senses sickened and reeled. You like it,
- 4 10 too yr.va
II conveys too notable a lesson. But It
is not finished yet; the foreshortenng is
wrong here oh, for three weeks more
OF sight-three weeks
Tony" Betty had found her voice
again: the world was settling about her
the spasm Of spiritual nausea passed
She was dealing not with the Anthony
harrington she had known, but with
man outside reason-a man who, because
he believed himself to be wronged, was
fun Of the waspish instinct to sting and
slay. even if It meant his own life and
the light Of life to do so, TONY, You
must destroy this thing You must You
don't know what you have done. Even
II she was what you imagined her TO be
and she was not that--it was scandal
lous, brutal. unmanly | haven't words
for it--for you. Tony, dear it isn't
thinkable."
Darlington replaced the covering over
the picture and turned, looking down at
Bettys flushed, upturned face. lie stood
between her and the easel, as though he
almost dreaded an attack on it and what
II held.
Little fool" he said. 80 you believe
in her yet? Though it was she who sent
your lover to the scaffold and the other
fool to his judgment? Though she has
turned my blood TO gall and robbed me
OF my child and q faith in everything
even in myself
TONY. you wrong her, She sinned in
one thing only-her love for you. 1t was
her one fault-her fear Of losing you.
know what you hint at. but 1T isn't true.
Whatever her will was, she failed in ac-
complishment. He--he was arrested be-
fore her poor letter reached the police.
That was for You too. Tony
Darlington raised his head and laughed
terrible sounding laughter AS Betty
looked at him she was reminded sudden
ly Of Samson in the house OF the Phil
istines; Samson degraded, mutilated, yet
Samson still
Betty, she is your sister, but ! cant
help it. She was bad-false to the core.
IL am glad the child died If 1 dared,
I'd thank God for that
His voice ceased suddenly. He made
a curious gesture with his outhung
hands
whats that?" he said, and stood in
the attitude OF one who listens. ION.
heaven! Betty, IT'S come! The darkness
tho, darknessl"
Betty Lumsden knew what fear was,