Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-03
"Ihe Gates Of Silence
By Meta SmminS, Author of "Hn5hed Ub"

trouble so arbitrarily. But since YOU do
not come to me as a physician. l can only
repeat my former assertion am not
the person you imagine me to be"
lie spoke with an air of fnality and
arose, with an appearance of desiring to
orlhg the conversation to a conclusion
His air was that of a busy man dis
pleased by waste Of valuable time.
Edith felt he ground give beneath her
feet. She knew absolutely and certainly,
with q woman's conviction by intuition.
which is a hundred times more strong
and deep than a mans conviction by logic,
thal this doctor who stood before her,
looking at her suavely, if little pity
lngiy. and the young, smooth-faCe cleric
who had united her in that blasphemous
mock marriage to the dead Levasseur,
were one and the same. She cast dis
erection to the wind, and in manner and
look now there was that which wouId
nave given credence to the superstition
that her mind was unhinged.
Putting Her Off,
Can YOU swear by everything sacred. ~
she cried, that you are not the man who
morning OF June IS, eight years ago? Oh.
morning of June IS. eight years ago. Oh
1t was cruel and despicable thing for
a man to concoctp but it is over and
done and can not be helped. Only to
me the consequences remain. terrible, I'M
foreseen-''
rupted her with a deprecating gesture
Il can not bear that you should Law open
10 me any secret of your life OF course,
a doctor, like a priest by virtue of his
profession. is made acquainted with many
strange secrets: but since you do not
come to me professionally l do not feel
justified in listening to what is obvious
ly intended Tor other ears"
Edith rose to her feet
Mrs. Darlington DR. Merton inter
when a woman has gone through what
| have gone through" She cried ut is
useless to try to play the game of bluff
with her. You can not swear DR.. Merton,
that you were not the man"
Madam 1t would be ridiculous for me
to bring the name of sacred things into
the matter l have already denied all
knowledge of the circumstances at which
you hint"
But desperate now, Edith refused to
be misled. From pleading she passed to
threats.
What you did was punishable thing -
she cried. but | have no desire to insist
upon that aspect of it, All | want from
you is a private admission to my husband
that you did this thing.
"A most modest request" said Merton,
ironically.
All at once, as she looked at him. Edith
realized that she might with as much
hope have expected to touch a chord OF
sympathy in the stone statue of the man
in the central gardens Of the square out
side. Yet she persisted
IF you can not deny it, It must be
true. Besides, | know it is true"
81 have denied IT, hlt
times, Mrs. Darlington" he said, sharp
ly. and now must really ask you
TO have the kindness to bring this inter
view to close"
He moved toward the bell, and Edith
followed him swiftly.
Doctor, no one need ever know" she
said, desperately. 1T would be a matter
between my husband and yourself All
want Is your word that what I believed
to be a marriage did take place All 1
want you to do is to prove to my husband
that | am not the wanton he thinks me-"
Her voice rose a little in the scale OF
pain. Don't you realize what hap
pened"-
To Be Continued in Next issue.