The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1912-11-14


newcomers had been satisfied with
her taste. There was pretty girl
pouring tea from a Sheffield pot which
had been an heirloom in her family
at a table which had been a wedding
Gift. She accepted cup of tea. AS
she had expected, the spoon was from
her silver; they had changed the mon.
ogram. 1t was almost Supplying to
look about the room to see all these
strangers in her rooms. In absurd
resentment she glanced toward the
hostess, just in time to catch per.
turbed CLEAN in the lady's eye.
Without being able to hear a word
of what she was saying to someone
whose glance was also toward Mrs.
Pennington, the latter knew she was
suspected. Until that instant she had
fancied herself ready to come forward
with ready grace and explain. At that
instant she felt every social instinct
and requirement desert her. In the
presence of all the silent symbols of
her old life she was unnerved.
She dropped into chair, her cheeks
guilty crimson, wondering what
might be about TO happen, feeling per
fectly powerless to cope with what
ever might be. AS she seated herself,
the chair moved slightly, brushing
against a gentleman who had been
standing with his back toward it. He
turned quickly, glanced at the occu
pant who was oblivious to him. and
stared
In another moment he was exclaim-
ing in voice low and moved by some
agitation. Mrs Pennington OF all
wondersl"
She looked up, with a rush of graft
tude for salvation, to see the one man
in the world whom she had forbidden
to see her There he was, fastidious
of dress as ever, clear-skinned clear
eyed holding out a strong kind hand
Mr. Blunt" she answered, scarcely
above her breath.
Where have you been hiding?" he
exclaimed. People have forgotten
that you are alive-all but me-.
She smiled. 81 work for my living
now, which means that l am not for
society, nor society for me- I work in
an office. / was on my way home
when, quite accidentally. dropped in
here"
in an Office" he repeated, amazed
You Mrs. Pennington But-how
fortunate for mel didn't know you
knew the BARRIERS"
81 don't" she replied, and to his
amusement accounted for her pres
ence. Il think you have saved me
from ejectment," she concluded. 81
know they were doubtful of me-
For a moment he could not trust
himself to speak. Then, 81 don't come
here often-because of the associations.
There are associations for me, too
He was looking straight at her and |
she could not meet his eyes. Mrs.
Pennington remembered their last
meeting He had CHANGED to come |
upon herself and her husband during |
a wretched scene. Chivalry had |
prompted him to her defense. All in
her eyes had answered |
with gratitude. Pity on his part had |
been succeeded by a deeper feeling
Once he betrayed this, and she sent
him from her presence. With white
face, he had accepted the rebuke and
never erred again. In her great mis-
cry she had been able to forget him,
to forget that she longed sometimes to
see him.
You were unkind once" he said in
1 low tone. Il do not wonder. But in
he time that has passed, have you
forgiven me?"
She was silent, and he added, Per
laps you have not thought Of me at
III"
81 have thought of you" she said,
as a memory that l would not re.
inquish."
Think of me, not as memory, but
Is a man"
She smiled. 1T is all a memory
low. my former life and associations
but it may become reality again"
She rose. 81 must go. Dinner at
ny boarding house is served at six
hirty. and who comes late fares the
worse"
He moved with her toward the hos
ess whose perplexity, as she spoke a s
arting word, was not wholly hidden '
y smiles. you are sure to be late {
his evening"" he said, as Mrs. Pen 9
ington was about to withdraw
Won't you dine with me?"
She hesitated, murmured her ad
ress and fed.
With what grief had she viewed her
Id home, with what longing and wist
illness entered it, and now with what '
oy she was speeding from it! Surely .
ate had led her steps that day.
That night she dined in a fashiona
lie restaurant for the first time in \
vo years, wearing wonderful gown
nported from Paris two years before
nd never worn. She ate the deli 4
Iously prepared food, perfectly
srved, listened to subdued strains OF
.usic The ease of 1t enyeloped her
nd the time of struggling was forgot t
n Through the enchanted hour she h
armed, moment by moment, that her
l.