El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-03-31
CHAPTER Xxi.

- ARYL had been so much as
tonished at Kelley Delaine's
- frank admission of love for her
sister that for the moment she forgot
her own especial grievance against
MIN. and answered meekly:
What do you want to know"
81 want to ask you why you have
told your sister that John Redfield
has been taking you to dinner, to the
theater and so forth. Another thing
that gives me the right to ask is that
John Redfield is my friend, as L nave
his name and his sister so
The girl flushed holly. WI ny
shouldn't L if L want to-" she re-
turned.
what is not true" the man reminded
IL You mean" said Caryl. that I have
told nv sister that knew Dora Red
field well? Yes, I told Judy that-be-
cause L knew she would worry less
than if she thought 1 went out alone
with a man.
CaryI twisted uncomfortably. she
felt almost as if she were being hyp-
Noticed and she heard herself saying
John Redfield, Of course
why did you say John Red1leid
was paying you attention! insisted
Delaine.
again, sweeping away her temporary
submission
What business is that of yours?"
she retorted angrily.
DeIaine sighed with forced patience.
Eve have gone over all this grounG
already" he remarked, but [ VIII
tell you again that John RedfleId IS
my friend"
His unmoyed manner lrrltated Ine
girl almost to frenzy She sprang
again to her feet, striking her hands
together sharply.
Your friend" she CALCULATED you
mean, I suppose, that you nave 10
protect your friend against me-tnat
I am not good enough to associate
with hint Well, I will go with MIN
where I please-understand You can
tell Judy this if you wish! she tossed
her head and glared at him defiantty.
You have to protect him against me,
ehl she reiterated
Delaine had risen. too, and now
caught her by the wrists.
BE quiet" he ordered, in low,
tense tone. NO. I am not trying
to protect my friend against you, but
against your falsehOods. I did not
mean to say this ] did not mean TO
seem brutal, but you force me to It
You have spoken out your thought
Now I shall speak out mine. You
are using John Redfield'S name to
shield someone else"
That's a Ger' she exclaimed. Then,
with a desire to gain time; ASK John
Redfield himself, if you dare, and see
how he stands your interference"
Delaine took his hands from her
wrists and replied gravely: I can
'fOr John Redfield started for Europe
nearly three weeks ago"
She shrank back with low eX-
clamation Of disu1ay, sinking down on
the divan and burying- her face in
her hands. Kelley Delaine was
strong man, but the sight of suffering
moved him painfully. lie felt for
as if forced to watch the
agony Of some creature whom he must
wound in defence OF someone he loved.
He knew that he had been just. but
the thought of the pain he paused for
a moment irreSolute. looking at the
girl. Then he laid gentle hand on
the bowed head.
not TOO late to start fresh we can
straighten the matter out yet-and
well forget all about it. I'm going
to leave you alone now until you get
a little more quiet. we all have done
foolish things in our lives and have
them"
He stopped. He saw that she was
listening, and when she spoke he bent
down to catch what she said
please leave me alone for few
she murmured. please
leave me alorep'
She heard him close the door softly
behind him and she sprang again to
her feet She must think quickly.
He had found her QUIT That was the
agony-nOt the thought of the lie it
self, but only that she had been dis
covered
Fifteen minutes later Kelley De-
line returned looking as if nothing out
of the ordinary had happened. In
his hand he bore little tray with
a plate Of biscuit and two cups of
steaminE chocolate upon it.
''I had an early breakfast" he eX-
planned, 'and 7 find myself g bit empty
in consequence. SO [ made Wang
brew me some chocolate and ] thought
perhaps you would Join me in a cup
before we settle down to work"
He smiled and pulling a small table
put the tray upon it.
Here are some little crackers, too"
he said. Take some of these"
Soon Caryl Marvin was chatting as
usual, an occasional long drawn breath