The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-03-12


"Yes. he must Anow," Halsey nod
ded. He held her hand now IL his
own. They swept on. as upon some
vast wave, helpless, clinging TO each
other, he doing what he could to save
her.
II don't know how to tell hir4," she
walled. There was something Pagan
in me and | didn't know 1t. | thought
| was in hand, but | wasn't! | started
low, and | wanted TO climb up-and
up-and up! Oh, Charley, look!" She
leaned toward him across the table,
pleading. Il was just ambitious, just
like any American girl-like every
woman in the world, / suppose. II l
sold out, / didn's know it. | didn't
want you to care for me. But you did,
you do! kept away from you, so that
you wouldn't, so that we couldn't-zo
that I'd always feel that you, 81
least"
"Where can it Cnd?" he asked quiet
ly.
81 don't care where it ends, that's
the worst of it; | don't care! One
thing only is to my credit. I've kept
my bargain-witL him. I've paid the
price ! agreed &c give. There is no
scandal about me-yet. And thera
might have beeni"
yes"
But some way, when he sent me
out for you, talked to me as he did,
t.n,Nol -, ILL., N VSnnn nf ynnrChar-
disc as he did-for nce | wavered.
For once, Charley, 1t seemed to me
that | was released from all obliga-
tons to him, that | vas where ! ought
to have a chance for my own hand, to
see life as life could be for itself, to
have the love that's life for a woman
| wanted to be wooed and won by
some one who loved me, just as any
woman wants to be, Charley. some
timei. And | wasn't wasn't. . d.
1t vas horrible. 1t was hor-
rible. ] wanted to give love
for love. wanted what | couldn't get.
and saw it was too late to get it fair.
and when | saw that you-that even
you'd sell out for Newly, where was
the good, clean thing left in all the
world? | couldn't tell. | didn't know
what to do. | don't know now But
you put these papers before me now,
and you expect me to shed tears over
them. can't. don't al The worst
was over for me before now. 1t came
when | knew you'd love me If I'd raise
a finger to you. Why didn't you make
me love you first-long ago? Then all
would have come right. Back there
at first"
They'll say that when your hus.
band lost his fortune he lost his wife.
Yes" he nodded. They'll say that
and believe it! That isn't truei"
mo, that isn't true. ] was done
with him the moment he set this err
rand for me. No woman can love a
man who will do that. But l was done
with him-from the first / never loved
him, | never did only married him!
| sold out-what had to sell, myself,
my fitness for a place like this. That
was what | called success! ! wanted
to be some one In the world! Look at
me now"
They sat, two figures in an inexor-
able drama that swept relentlessly
forward; tasting of a part of ambi-
tons ripened fruit; yet hungering
with the vast, pitiful. merciless human
hunger for that other fruit that hung
in a garden once not lost.
az it costs my soul, I'll stand by
you," he said at last; and he reached
out a hand to her suddenly.
No, MOI" she cried. wait! Wait!
/ want to Think"
A discreet cough sounded. The but
Ter approached bearing coffee, He
wore a half sneer on his face now, the
sheer of the unpaid mercenary, He
doubted, and had cause to doubt,
whether the last months salary would
be forthcoming; for buffers read morn.
ing papers. "Ah, er, Mrs. Rawn-'
he began.
What do you want? How dare you
speak to mel" she rejoined. 81 do not
care to be disturbed! You may go!'
He did 60; and this was on an err
rand of his own, an errand which end.
ed in Grace HalseyIs chambers. For
buffers sometimes take ingenious re,
venge.
Halsey and Virginia Rawn sat on
for a time at the table, the almost I'M
tasted breakfast before them The
sun grew warmer. After a time she
rose, and they passed from the gallery
toward the interior OF the house. The
tray upon the hall table held a scanty
morning load for it-one letter and a
telegram; the former addressed to
Mrs. Charles Halsey. the latter to her.
self.
1T must be from him." he said
She tossed II to him.
Home tonight. John Rawn."
(TO BE CofJTINUED)