El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-06-17
CHAPTER XVI.

II ALPH. with the sunderland he
~ told himself unreasonable dread
Of exposure heavy upon him, and
Edith-eager TO avoid what she feared
would be a scene-hastened to leave
the restaurant. shrinking from the
steady gaze OF Tom Morton as though
linked by a common sin
The mans fingers were clumsy with
I haste as he held the girls cloak for
her. and she whispered to him as she
fastened the garment: Come, let's get
away from herei I'm afraid he will try
to speak to me"
Without another glance in the direc-
ton Of the table at which her late
fiance was seated the girl hurried
from the room, Ralph following close
behind her. In the foyer they paused
, for a moment while Ralph got his coat
and hat from the boy in attendance.
Thank heaven" breathed the girl
fervently, as Ralph. his coat over his
arm and his hat in his hand, started
with her toward the entrance.
The man gave a little embarrassed
laugh, but Edith noted the beads OF
perspiration that had sprung out upon
his forehead
There was no need Of being fright
ened, my dear" he assured her with
manner that he tried 20 make assured
He certainly would not have spoken
to you back in there with all those
people present He would not have
cared 70 MAKE q 5IG4lG there
He stopped short, with an uncontrol-
liable start Of surprise Tom Norton
stood al his elbow, his face pale and
almost wooden in its lack Of express
sion The new arrival did not NOTICE
Ralph by look or gesture but ac-
dressed himself 10 Edith, speaking
slowly and carefully.
I have no desire to make a scene"
he said. repeating with emphasis the
sentence he had just heard Ralph use,
nor 10 ask for explanations here. II
is scarcely the place for that kind Of
thing. I only followed you. Edith, TO
ask you when we may meet and each
hear what the other has TO say.
There were several seconds OF tense
silence. while the girl glanced quickly
from the tall figure on one side Of her
TO the slighter and shorter form and
nervous face Of her escort Then she
spoke deliberately, turning TO the lat
1T IS time we were going home.
Ralph. she said moving away
Tom Morton laid a hand on her arm
She could feel that his fingers were
quivering.
he said There was ring IS OF steel
in his low tones. though his face re-
manned passiOnless-
sudden color famed in the girls
face. and with a swift gesture OF re-
pulsion she shrank from the speaker.
Her dark eyes looked into his, scorn-
fully. stormily.
How dare YOU talk OF demanding
an explanation she asked, angrily-
Her tone, too, was low, but every
word was distinctly heard by the two
men How dare you halt me in a pub
lie place and speak TO me when you
must know that I hate you2 II there
were TO be any explanations, I would
be the one to ask for them waive
that right do not want ever TO see
you again. This is the last insult that |
I will endure from your
Tom Morton did not finch from the |
blast Of her wrath He stood motion !
less after releasing her, his hands |
clasped behind him.
Il have already written TO you,
Edith" he remarked in an almost cas- |
ual tone. 4 think you will feel diff !
ferenuly after reading my letter"
Il shall not read it," she exclaimed, !
childishly. Z shall burn it-or return |
it to you-to prove that I have not
read It"
without another word she walked
again toward the door. Toms eyes |
followed her It would have been diff |
fcult 10 read what his gaze held. Then |
he looked at Ralph, but the other man, |
refusing to meet his glance, hurried /
after his betrothed. He could look |
straight into John Hale's eyes this aft
ernoOn while acting a part, but he was /
not sure enough OF himself 70 meet |
the accusing eyes Of the man whom he |
had wrOnged.
It was not until Ralph Morton had |
pilOted his car safely through the /
shifting current Of city traffic that ne 1
spoke to the girl at his side.
You were a little hard on Tom, I i
think dear" he ventured.
Can anyone be unjust to him now, /
after all that he has dOne2' she de- i
manded angrily. You who know Il /
all-in spite Of your determination TO |
shield him from the rest Of US
should be the last one to plead with me /
TO be gentle with him"
we are not all OF Us saints, Ralph /
told her 20 minutes later. He had not 4
spoken since her indignant exclama-
ton, and they had crossed the ferry in /
silence and had now reached the top 4
Of the hill on the New Jersey side OF 4
the river.
Z myself. have a confession TO make