El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-07-22

c ONE OF the moments that are like
y hours followed John HaIe's appeal
to Constance Medford. To the man
they were long; TO the girl they
seemed an eternity. She was SILENT
not from Obstinacy, but from actual
/ inability to express herself The fact
that in justice to others she could not
speak the truth held her dumb. She
had grown very pale, and a great pity
for her moved her companion. He
longed to draw the lonely girl TO him
and cell her that he wanted to help
her. OF course she had lost all self
control for q moment, yet she was
sorry for II now.
But his kindly impulses received a
shock when, as he requested, 4 am
sure you are sorry now" the girl said
resolutely:
T am sorry to displease you. uncle.
But I cannot truthfully say that I
regret my action"
John Hale started TO his feet in as
Punishment Constance" he ejacu-
lated You will please give me a sat
tsfactory explanation of that speechr7
No, uncle" Constance said, rising,
too. am afraid my explanation
would not be satisfactory to you, yet
II is the only one I can give"
insist upon hearing II. whatever
it is" he demanded.
Inc B4LA dropped neE eyes. Will
tell you all that I feel that can" she
said As she stood before her Ques-
toner, her hands tightly clasped, the
fingers interlocked, she looked like a
frightened yet uprepentant child
wish An I can say is that Edith
thinks I have been anxious 70 have
her marry Tom instead Of Ralph, and
mat IKE Tom and do not like Ralph
Her uncle regarded her incredulous-
ly. And for that accusation from
Edith-a silly accusation, perhaps, but
surely not an offensive one-you or
oered loving girl from your room in
such manner that she broke down
and cried in telling me OF il in my
office this afternoon Yes she did In
all her life 1 have never known Edith
10 show as much hurt and resentment
as she displayed in talking of this
this trouble. Yet when I quest toned
you"
Constance raised her head and looked
him squarely in the eyes And I"
she said, in my turn refer you TO her"
A Surprise.
Before she could guess the mans
opening il called Edith. His daughter
answered so promptly that Constance
wondered IL she had been waiting at
the head of the stairs She came down
Immediately. and, as her father closed
the door behind her, glanced at him
tnQuiringly. She did not look in Con-
stances direction.
What is it, father2r she asked. Her
voice was hard and her eyes cold.
Sit down, darling" her father said.
Then, as an after thought, he sug-
gested, "Sit down, Constance" Wear
lily he took his own chair at his desk.
Daughter" he said. you have never
lied 10 me nor disobeyed me in all
your life. I want you TO tell me now
what took place in Constance's room
this afternoon"
The reply was an abrupt question.
Hasn't Constance told your
She says" the parent informed her,
that you accused her of1a partiality
for Tom and of a desire TO have you
marry Tom rather than Ralph. Is
that what you said to her2'
1T is a part of what I said to her"
Edith replied But I told her the
whole truth, or as much as I had
courage to tell want to obey YOU,
father, but all I can bring myself to
tell you is that I did accuse Constance
Of being Tom's-ally, OF wanting him
TO marry me-for reasons which
stated-of-Oh. Dad can't 20 on
with the disgraceful story I dared
her to deny it-for I thought she
might be able TO explain a part Of the