The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-08-16

in which these two lovers found them
selves SO unwittingly and inextricably
involved. 1t was indeed curious and
bewildering situation. Passionate
alteration for the other rose in each
breast like the surging tide OF
mighty sea, and like that tide upon
the shore II broke upon conventions,
ideas. ideals and obligations intangi-
BILE to the naked eye, but as real as
those iron coasts that have withstood
the waves" assaults since the worlds
morning.
The man had shaped his life upon a
mistake. He believed absolutely In
the unquestioned devotion Of a wom-
an to whom he had been forced to
mete out death In an unprecedented
and terrible manner. His unwilling
ness to derogate by his own conduct
from the standard Of devotion which
he believed had inhabited his wife's
bosom. made 1t impossible for him to
allow the real love that had come into
his heart for this new woman to have
free course; honor. pride and self-re-
spect scourged him Just In proportion
to his passion for Enid Maitland.
The more he loved her, the more
ashamed he was. BY a curious com.
bination of circumstances, Enid Matt
land knew the truth; she knew that
from one point OF view the woman had
been entirely unworthy the reverence
in which her husband held her men,
DRY. She knew that his wife had not
loved him at all, that her whole heart
had been given to another man, that
what Newbold had mistaken for a pas
sionate desire for his society because
there was no satisfaction in life for
the wife away from him. was due to .
fear lest without his protection she
should be unable to resist the appeal
Of the other man which her heart
seconded SO powerfully. II It were
only that Newbold would not be false
to the obligation Of the other woman's
devotion. Enid might have solved the
problem In a moment.
1t was not SO simple. however. The
fact that Newbold cherished this men,
ory. the fact that this other woman
had fought SO desperately. had tried
SO hard not to give way. entitled her
to Enid Maitland's admiration and de-
manded her highest consideration as
well. Chance. or Providence. had put
her In possession of this woman's Sc
cret. 1t was as II she had been caught
eavesdropping. She
could not In honor make use Of what
she had overheard, as 1t were: she
could not blacken the other woman's
she could not enlighten this
man at the expense Of his dead wife's
reputation.
Although she longed for him as
much as he longed for her, although
her love for him amazed her by Its
depth and intensity. even to bring her
commensurate with her
ceiling. she could not betray her dead
sister. The imposts of honor. how
hard they are to sustain when they
conflict with love and longing.
Enid Maitland was naturally not a
little thrown OF her balance by the
and the power that was hers.
What she could not do herself she
could not allow anyone else to do.
The obligation upon her must be ex.
.ended to others. Old Kirkby had no
right to the woman's secret any more
han she: he must be silenced. Arm
strong. the only other being who was
orivy to the truth, must be silenced
90.
One thing at least arose out Of the
ga of trouble In a tangible way; she
vas done with Armstrong. Even II
The had not SO loved Newbold that she
Gould scarcely give q thought to any
,ther human being. she was done with |
Armstrong.
A singular situation! Armstrong
lad loved another woman. SO had New.
old; and the latter had even married |
his other woman. yet she was quite |
Wiling to forgive Newbold. she made |
very excuse for him. she made none |
or Armstrong. She was an eminently |
ane. Just person. yet as she thought |
Il the situation her anger against |
grew hotter and hotter. II
'as a safety valve to her feelings. al
hough she did not realize II. After
II. Armstrong; actions rendered her
certain service: II she could get
yer the objection In her soul. II she
ould ever satisfy her sense Of honor
nd duty and obligation. she could set
le the question at once. She had
My to show the letters to Newbold
nd to say: These were written by ]
be man Of the picture; 1t was he. and |
OF you. your wife loved" and New.
old would take her to his heart in
family.
These thoughts we're not without q
ertain comfort to her. All the com. 4
ensation Of self sacrifice 10 in its
salvation. That she could and did
OF somehow ennobled her love for
Inn. Even women are alleged with
ase metal In the powerful and
UNIVERSAL appeal Of this man to her,
10 rejoiced at whatever was OF the
,ul. rather than OF the body. To
ossess power. to refrain from using