The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-02-13

thiOhSs
What she could see OF the place
showed little change. Evidently the
newcomers had been satisfied with
her taste. There was a pretty girl
pouring tea from a Shefield pot which
had been an heirloom In her family,
at table which had been a wedding
gift. She accepted q cup Of tea. Az
she had expected, the spoon was from
her silver; they had changed the mon
ogram. It 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 q 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 unneryed
She dropped into a chair, her cheeks
guiltily 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 1t. 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
wonders!"
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 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. I 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. Il
know they were doubtful of me-"
For a moment he could not trust
himself to speak Then, Il don't come
here often-becauseo 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
wretched scene. Chivalry had
prompted him to her defense. All in.
voluntarily her eyes had answered
with gratitude. Pity on his part had
been succeeded by deeper feeling.
Once he betrayed this, and she sent
him from her presence. With a 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
a low tone 81 do not wonder. But in
the time that has passed, have you
forgiven me?"
She was silent, and he added, per
haps you have not thought of me at
ALP"
II have thought of you," she said,
"as a memory that 1 would not re-
linquish."
Think of me, not as memory, but
rs a man"
She smiled. ut is all a memory
now, my former life and associations
"But 1t may become reality again.
She rose. 81 must go. Dinner at
my boarding house is served at six
thirty, and who comes late fares the
worse
He moved with her toward the hos
tess whose perplexity, as she spoke a
parting word, was not wholly hidden
by smiles. you are sure to be late
this evening"" he said. as Mrs. Pen
nington was about to withdraw.
Wont you dine with me?"
She hesitated. murmured her ad-
dress and fed.
With what grief had she viewed her
cid home, with what longing and visit
fulness entered it, and now with what
Joy she was speeding from 1t! Surely
Fate had led her steps that day.
That night she dined in fashiona-
BILE restaurant for the first time In
two years, wearing a wonderful gown
imported from Paris two years before
and never worn. She ate the deli
ciously prepared food, perfectly
served, listened to subdued strains Of
music. The ease Of 1t enveloped her
and the time of struggling was forgot
ten. Through the enchanted hour she
learned, moment by moment, that her
escort was her lover.
"Will you come back" he asked,
ito the life in which you belong? Will
you come with me-my wife?"
Her lips were tremulous with hap