The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-08-02

1T was because" burst out the
man impetuously. and then he stopped
abruptly and just In time.
Enid Maitland smiled at him in Q
way that indicated she knew what
was behind the sudden check he had
imposed upon himself.
Whatever your reason. your curl.
osity-"
Don't call II that, please"
your desire then has been graf.
ihed. Now II 10 my turn. ] am not
even sure about your name. ] have
seen It In these books and naturally
have imagined that It Is yours"
1T II mine"
We'll. that u really all that know
about you. And now I shall be quite
frank. want 10 know more. You
evidently have something to conceal
or you would not be living here in
this way. have never asked you
about yourself. or manifested the
least curiosity to solve the problem
you present. to md the solution of the
mystery Of your life"
"Perhaps." said the man. you
didn't care enough about It to take
the trouble to inquire"
You know" answered the girl.
shat IL not true. I have been con-
sumed with desire to know"
"A woman's curiosityT'
Not that" was the soft answer
that turned away his wrath.
She was indeed frank. There was
that In her way Of uttering those two
simple words that set his pulses
bounding. He was not altogether and
absolutely blind.
Come" said the girl. extending her
hand to him. I'VE are alone here to-
gether. We must help each other.
You have helped me. you have been
Of the greatest service to me. I can't
begin to count all that you have done
for me: my gratitude"
only that?'
But that IL all that You have ever
asked or expected" answered the
young woman In q low voice whose
gentle tones did not at all accord
with the holiness and courage of the
speech.
you mean?" asked the man. star
Ing at her. his face ahame.
II mean" answered the girl swift.
ly. wilfully mislnterpreting and turn
ing his half spoken question another
way, II mean that I am sure that
trouble has brought you here. I do
not vtah - forcn vour nooANaoco
have no right to do 80. yet I should
like to enjoy II: can't you give II to
me? | want TO help you. want 10
do my best to make some return for
what you have been to me and have
done for me-"
II ask but one thing" he said quick.
ly.
"And what 10 that?"
But again he checked himself.
NO" no said. II am not free to ask
anything Of you"
And that answer to Enid Maitland
was like q knife thrust In the heart
The two had been standing confront.
ing each other. Her heart grew
faint within her. She stretched out
her hand vaguely a. II for support
He stepped toward her. but before he
reached her. she caught the back oil
the chair and sank down weakly
That he should be bound and not free
had never once occurred to her; she
had quite misinterpreted the meaning
OF his remark
The man did not help her. he could
not help her. He Just stood and
looked at her. She fought valiantly
for self-control a moment or two and
then. utterly oblivious to the betrayal
of her feelings involved In the Ques
tion-the moments were too great for
consideration Of such trivial matters
she faltered.
"You mean there Is some other wo
man?'
He shook his head In negation.
Il don't understand. There wa
some other woman?"
Yes"
where IL she now?"
Dead"
But you said you were not free"
He nodded.
Did you care SO much for her that
now-that now"
Enid" he cried desperately. BE
lieve me. never knew what love
was until met you"
The secret was out now; Il had
been known TO her long since, but
now It was publicly proclaimed.
Even a man as blind. as obsessed. a,
he could not mistake the Joy that Il
Eliminated her face at this announce
ment. That very Joy and satisfaction
produced upon him. however. a very
| different effect than might have beer
anticipated. Had he been free, In
deed. he would have swept her to hii
breast and covered her sweet fac<
with kisses broken BY whispered
words of passionate endearmsnt In
stSad Of that he shrank back from hel
and II Was she who was forced d
take UP The burden Of the oonvsssa
ton.