The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-05-28

ciled. All my life shall feel that I
have been cheated" she said
He looked up sharply Something In
her tone puzzled him. Cheated, my
dear? Oh, see. Cheated out of years
and years of happiness. l see'
She bowed her head. Neither spoke
for full minute.
Its horrible thing to say, Sara.
but this tragedy does away with an
other and perhaps more unpleasant al.
tentative; the divorce l have been
urging you to consider for so long"
Yes, we are spared all that she
said. Then she met his gaze with u
sudden flash of anger in her eyes. But
| would not have divorced him-never.
You understood that, didn't you?"
you couldn't have gone on for ever.
my dear child, enduring the
She stopped him with sharp excla.
nation. why discuss it now? Let
the past take care of itself, Mr. Car
roll. The past came to an end night
before last, SO far as am concerned. l
want advice for the future not for the
past"
He drew back, hurt by her manner.
| She was quick to see that she had of
Tended him.
Il beg your pardon, my best OF
friends" she cried earnestly.
| He smiled. eff you will take pres
! ent advice, Sara, you will let go Of
yourself for spell and see if tears
won't relieve the tension under"
| "Tears!" she cried. why should ]
give way to tears? What have l to
weep for? That man up there in the
country? The cold, dead thing that
spent it's last living moments without
thought of love for me? All, no, my
friend l shed all my tears while he
| was alive. There are none left to be
shed for him now. He exacted his
full share of them. It was his pleas
ure to wiring them from me because
he knew l loved him. She leaned for
ward and spoke slowly, distinctly, so
that he would never forget the words.
But listen to me, Mr.. Carroll. You
also know that l loved him. Can you
| believe me when | say to you that
hate that dead thing up there in Bur-
toms inn as no one ever hated before
| Can you understand what l mean?
hate that dead body Mr. Carroll.
loved the life that was in it. 1t was
the life of him that l loved, the warm,
appealing life of him. 1t has gone out
Some one less amiable than l suffered
at his hands and-well, that is enough
her, Mr. Carroll"
The lawyer wiped the cool moisture
from his brow.
Il think l understand" he said. but
he was filled with wonder. "Extraor
binary! Ahem! l should say-AhemI
Dear me! Yes, yes-Tve never really
| thought of it in that light"
Il dare say you haven't" she said
lying back in the chair as if suddenly
exhausted.
"By the way, my dear. have YOU
breakfasted?"
mo. / hadn't given it thought
Perhaps it would be better If l had
some coffee"
Il will ring for waiter" he said
springing to his feet.
Not now, please. I have young
friend in the other room-a guest who
arrived last night. She will attent
to it when she awakes. Poor thing, II
has been dreadfully trying for her"
Good heaven, l should think so,
said he, with glance at the CLOSED
door rs she asleep"
yes l shall not call her until 20,
have gone"
; MAY l inquire"
"a girl | met recently-an English
: girl" said she succinctly, and forth
;. with changed the subject. There art
: a few necessary details that must b.
2 attended to, Mr. Carroll That is VIII.
4 l sent for you at this early hour. Mr.
. Leslie Wrandall will take charge
Ali" she Strengthened up suddenly
|, What farce it is going to be-"
/ CTO BE CONTINUED