The Mena weekly star., 1913-10-23

1nderwent an almost ludicrous change. Ihe air of defiance was lost, leaving Fer face strangely drawn and hag- Bard. She dropped into a chair and dressed her hands across her burning oyes
 # Standsh stood, still near the door, looking down at her. His heavy dark mask of faos did not show any 1motion save that it's premature lines seemed all at once cut deeper. His 5omber eyes held no light, his deep 4oice no expression as he said at last: # You know. then?" # Yes" returned Grace, starting up. # q tried to warn you" said he. sHow did you find out?" # "The phone girl. Wanda Kelly"
 q see" he unused. q ought to have Euessed She is one of the machines 6pies'
 # No. She wants to help me, she enid. But that isn't the point. She mows. And she Is the only person Sho does"
 What did you say to her when 1he-?"
 "I denied everything. of course. What else was there to do?"
 There was nothing else to do You Tere wise-while the affair is in It's Present state"
 @ It was wise in any case" "Yes,' he agreed. Tt was wise for Iou. But I suppose you haven't Hopped to consider my position in the natter?"
 * Your position?" she repeated uncer- Rinly. What do you mean? What is Dur position, except to stand by me Rhd save me?"
 You forget that I owe a duty to the len who have made me their leader in DIS fight; who have staked everything tn me-
 And to ms?' she cried shrilly. ITO pc Woman who staked more than erything? Do you owe nothing to neT'
 l do not want to think what owe
 you,' he evaded. his voice shaking yer SO little. T beg you not to remind De of it."
 You won't help me? You put these iserable constituents and politicians Il yours ahead of me?"
 II you put 1t that way. yes"
 oh, most noble statesnan!" she ocked, raging Embodiment of all at is perfect and-contemptible! aont marry you because I no longer sed you and because I wouldn't add
 oiasphemous loveless marriage to Y other sin. If l had become your lie-even if 1t ruined both our lives you would have felt 1t your duty to Eahd by me and defend me agaIns, pe entire world But because I had pe courage to stop before it made us
 th miserable for life, you can not
 honor protect me! I wonder if you all realize how vile thing you are!'' She paused in her furious rambling iK' Tor Standish's dark face had own ghastly. Vaguely she wonder
 why And as if reading her thoughts
 spoke. There was no thrill. no stir
 the slow lifeiess depths of his voice:
 loved you. I have never loved
 " other woman in all my miserable
 e' l shall keep on loving you as
 ls as live. l do not want to. But
 is past my power. I would sooner
 we bitten out my tongue than be aS thls secret of yours. All this can
 interest you. I tell you. so that pu may know the punishment is mol
 yours. You merely risk losing nat you have gained and cherished pring the past few years. I act with
 ' certainty that by doing my duty
 must bring ruin and heart-break or
 Y woman whom I love more than
 " my own soul. Is my task easiel an yours?"
 me utter ardor of his words, com
 ned With the dull lifelessness of hiI
 ne was almost Imaginable. Grace as gazing at him in blank astonish Bent.
 iou love me?' she muttered.
 l nave told you so," came the slow