The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-07-30
CHAPTER XIV.
Crossing the Channel.


and irritation.
At nine he set out to walk over to
Southlook, realizing that he should
have to spend an hour in proftless
gossip with the lodge keeper before
presenting himself at the villa, but
somehow relishing the thought that
even SO he would be nearer to Hetty
than if he remained in his own door
yard
Halfway there we was overtaken by
Sara's big French machine returning
from the village. The car came to a
standstill as he stepped aside to let
it pass, and Sara herself leaned over
and cordially invited him to get in and
ride home with her.
What an early bird you are" he ex-
claimed as he took his seat beside
her
She was not in a mood for airy per-
sifiage, as he soon discovered.
Miss Castleton has gone up to
town, Mr.. Booth" she said rather
lifelessly. Il have just taken her to
the station. She caught the eight
thirty"
OAASS oOAASASoNos NS~N
news, l hope?" There was no thought
| in his mind that her absence was
other than temporary.
"She is not coming back, Brandon. D
| She had not addressed him as Bran
don before.
He stared. "You-you mean" The
words died on his lips.
She Is not coming back" she re
peated.
An accusing CLEAN leaped into his
eyes.
What has happened, Mrs. Wran
dall?" he asked.
She was quick to perceive the
change in his voice and manner.
"She prefers to live apart from me
That is ALL
when was this decision reached p
But yesterday. Soon after she came
in from her walk with you"
"Do-do you mean to imply tina
that had anything to do with her leav
ing your home@ he demanded, will
a flush on his cheek.
She met his look without flinching
ct was the beginning"
"You-you criticised her? You tool
her to task"
Il notified her that she was to MARI.
Leslie Wrandall if she marries anyon
at ALL" she said in a perfectly leve
. tone.
Good Lord, Mrs. Wrandall!"
, But she is not going to marry Les
lie"
, Il know it knew it yesterday" h
{ cried triumphanty. "She loves me
Sara. Didn't she say as much t
, you?"
, Eyes, Brandon, she loves you. Blu
she will not be your wife,"
! What is all this mystery? VIII
can't she be my wife? What is Their
5 to prevent?"
She regarded him with dark, inscr'
! table eyes. Many seconds passed b.
fore she spoke.
Q Would you want her for your wifi
; if you knew she had belonged to al
other MANI"
He turned very cold. The palms
his hands we're wet, as with ice-wate
| Something dark seemed to fit befo1
\ his eyes.
\ 81 will not believe that of her." /
| said, shaking his head with an air
| fnality.
| That is not an answer to my que
I ton"
| Eyes, 1 would still want her." /
! declared steadily.
! 81 merely meant to put you to II
! harshest test" she said, and there W;
relief in her voice. "She is a goo
A girl she is pure. l asked my questit
because until yesterday l had reast
to doubt her,
i Good heavens, how could you dou
| those honest, guiltless eyes Of"
! She shook her head sadly. ITO a
\ swer you l would have to reveal Il
i secret that makes it impossible
\ her to become your wife, and that
I cannot, will not do"
is it fair to me?"
h. Perhaps not, but it is fair to hi
and that is why must remain silen
I'd Before God, 1 shall know the tru
le from her, if not from you-and-
eff you love her, If you will be XII
to her, you will let her go her W
in peace"
- He was struck by the somewhat S
e. lister earnestness of her words.
v Tell me where l may find her."
s said, setting his jaw.
n 1T will not be difficult for you
ly find her." she said, frowning, IF y
insist on pursuing her."
as "You drive her away from yc
lis house, Sara Wrandall, and yet you
pect me to believe that your motiv
tn are friendly. Why should l acce
your word as final?"
* II did not drive her away. nor
er l ask her to stay"
He stared hard at her.
II. Good Lord, what is the meant
nd of all this?" he cried in perplexit
,k What am to understand"
to The car had come to stop unt