The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-04-05
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)

She held her answer. quivering
sith indignation. That he should
dare! Yet there were two things in
his attitude To calm her: an imper
eopal note, puzzling. and a simple dig
atty that left little foothold for re-
sentiment.
AS for Coast. momentarily while
she did not reply. the issue hung in
the balance. whether he should speak
or no: whether enlighten her forth
with or leave her (were she happy In
her marriage) in her fools Paradise
He felt himself a prey TO dscordant
impulses. pride and generosity coun-
selling him, each With double
tongue
Il hold your happiness above 'all
else" he resumed as the pause length
ened-"far above my own, Katherine
That is why ] ask you: are you hap
py."
"l have no regrets" she told him
steadily.
THAT doesn't answer me-"
Her eyes wavered beneath his
searching glance. She turned away
and stared off into the vacancy OF the
fog.
How is one to tell?" she said pres
emily. Isn't happiness difficult TO
define? A thing of comparative val
ues?. am content, that much /
know. have discovered something
in life higher than the qualification OF
self; ] have learned that TO serve
means more than TO be served
| married the man loved; he needs
me now. could hardly do without me.
| am help to him In his work; he
would probably be unable to continue
1t without my assistance. /
have my cares. as he has his. as you
have yours. Who has not? =.
But year is long time; have
learned much since =" She took
q deep breath Yes" she concluded
evenly: Il think | may say | am hap
py, Garrett"
But she kept her face averted.
And this?' be asked stepping to
her side and lightly touching her bare
forearm with his finger
Just below her left elbow four
marks like blush stripes set close to.
gether. stood out like weals upon her
delicate skin, where the flesh had
been bruised by the cruel pressure OF
mans strong fingers.
AT his touch she recoied with a
half-stified cry. her face blazing.
"Dont'-don't-!" she gasped. trying
with faltering fingers to pull down
the sleeve. But realizing that II was
too late. that he had already seen. she
recovered. sulleniy leaving the sleeve
az II was
I'm sorry" said Coast soberly; Il
didn't mean to touch you. DIDN'T
think-had forgotten what-what /
may not expect YOU 10 forget Only
,bat is his mark. Katherine"
Well she flashed defiantly. and
what II Il Is? Is he. or am |. answer.
sH'e to you? Can he not touch me
- But his underwriting and pene-
sraung gaze disconnected her: her an.
Ter rang unconvincing even 10 her.
seh 1T was an accident" she fin
irhed lamely. One Of the servants
fingered hlm-they are Chinese and
stupid-and I'm his blindness he mis-.
took me for the man and caught my
arm.
1T must have hurt" said Coast. try.
ing TO believe her.
She was silent. facing him with
trace OF bravado He bowed
Il beg your pardon II was, as you
suggest. none OF my affair | merely
happened to notice. and IL startled me.
Will you be good enough 70 tell me
the way 10 the beach?"
Silently the woman indicated a path
heading away from the gate.
Still he fingered. letting bis eyes
drink their fll OF her; and knew. in
a swift fash OF certitude. that never
had she been more dear 10 him than
In this moment of renunciauon. that
never would bis hearts allegiance