The Forrest City times., 1914-04-03

of vast experience, was not surru
to find her quite calm and reasonan'
He had come to know her verv 49,,
in the past few years. He had w,
her father's lawyer up to the time a..
that excellent BRIDESMAIDS demise W.
he had settled the estate with sucb ~,
usual dispatch that the heirs-,ho-.
were many of them-regarded him ~
an admirable person and-kant Ii
busy ever afterward straigtening nn.
their own affairs. Which goes to nrors
that policy is often better than bo.
esty.
Il quite understand, my dear, that
while 1t is a dreadful shock to Won
you are perfectly reconciled to the
er-to the-well, might say the cul.
mination of his troubles" said M
Carroll tactfully, after she had 70
lated for his benefit the story of tho
nights adventure. with reservation
concerning the girl who slumbered in
the room beyond.
Hardly that, Mr.. Carroll. Resigned
perhaps. can't say that | am recon.
ciled. All my life l shall feel that 7
have been cheated" she said.
He looked up sharply Something in
her tone puzzled him. Cheated nv
dear? Oh see. Cheated out of wears
and years of happiness. | see"
She bowed her head Neither SPOKE
for full minute.
IT'S a horrible thing to say, Sara
but this tragedy does away with an.
other and perhaps more unpleasant al.
tentative; the divorce | have been
urging you to consider for so long"
Yes, we are spared all that" she
said. Then she met his gaze with a
sudden fash of anger in her eyes. But
| would not have divorced him-never
You understood that, didn't your"
You couldn't have gone on for ever
my dear child. enduring the"
She stopped him with a 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 l am concerned.
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. IF you will take pres.
ent advice. Sara, you will let 90 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 to
weep for? That man up there in the
country? The cold, dead thing that
spent its last living moments without
a thought of love for me? All, no, my
friend; | 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 1t was his pleas
ure TO wiring them from me because
he knew | 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 / loved him. Can you
!
hate that dead thing up there in Bur
tons inn as no one ever hated before?
Can you understand what | mean? !
hate that dead body, Mr. Carroll. /
loved the life that was in It. 1t was
the life of him that loved, the warm
appealing life of him II has gone oGi
Some one less amiable than | suffered
at his hands and-well, that Is enough
| hate the dead body she left behind
her, Mr. Carroll"
The lawyer wiped the cool moisture
from his brow.
Il think | understand" he said. but
he was filled with wonder. "Extraor-
binary! Ahem! should say-Ahem!
Dear mel Yes, yes-I've 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? ?"
No. l hadn't given it a thought.
Perhaps it would be better If had
some coffee"
Il will ring for waiter" he sald'
springing to his feet
Not now, please. l have young
friend in the other room-a guest VINO
arrived last night. She will attenu
to 1t when she awakes. Poor thing 1t
has been dreadfully trying for her
Good heaven, l should think So
said he. with a glance at the closed
door. Is she asleep?"
Yes. shall not call her until you
have gone"
May inquire"
"A girl ! met recently-an English
GIRL, said she succinctly, and forlh'
with changed the subject. There are
a few necessary details that must pe
attended to, Mr.. Carroll. That is why
| sent for you at this early hour. MI
Leslie Wrandall will take charge
All" she Strengthened up suddenly
What farce it is going to be-"
(TO BE CONTINUED)