El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-05-18

VIZ HILE the girl sat at his side,
w waiting for his denial Of the
justice Of her suspicious. Ralph
Morton made a mental survey OF his
position.
The instruments for accomplishing
his suddenly formed designs were laid
ready TO his hand. Had he not a right
to use them for his own advantage?
For My an instant did he consider
Tom-his cousin, his friend-kept away
from the woman he loved bv his will
ingness to help him, out Of trouble. He
put that thought from him with q
mental shrug.
Sophistry rushed forward. as It al
ways does when one hesitates between
right n wrong Such sentences as
"Everythings fair in love u war"
THE end justifies the means" Every
nan for himself" ran through his
mind With such facile phrases he had
slain good impulses so often that now
they had only to show themselves to be
felled to the ground by the eapOn
Of the sophist Surely he, Ralph Nor
ton, had a right to the woman he
loved-if she loved him.
He recalled some adage about the
heart caught in the rebound" Might
not Edith's heart be thus caught Or
and his own heart gave an excited leap
might she not already care for him?
Could he possibly be blamed II he let
her decide the matter Of her future for
herself and for him.
Weir Edith queried.
He came back to the present and
his surroundings with a guilty start
Edith was looking at him inQuiringly.
I beg your pardon" he stammered.
Did you ask me q question:"
Some minutes ago" Edith said
grayely, 7 suggested that you knew
why Tom Morton is not here tonight
but that you were trying to shield
him XnHr silence has hnnn nv an
swer. 1 was right"
oh" Ralph protested feebly, you
must not jump at conclusions, Edith,
I have not intimated that dear old
Tom is not the finest. ~squarest chap
in the world. OF course. he isl'
He felt that in speaking Xix h
he was doing Tom a kindness, indeed
that he was actually sacrificing him
self for his cousins sake II the girl
did not believe him-would he be to
blame? OF course not.
But his manner had not been OF the
nature to carry conviction Don't
exert yourself to be so loyal Ralph
Edith counseled. 4 understand As /
TO protect a friend. But you may spare
yourself the effort in this case. II IS
too late"
Edith, child" Mr.. Hale was saying,
and the girl replied. yes Father
7 declare" John Hale laughted, "ysu
and Ralph were so intent upon some
argument that you did not hear your
mother suggest that you ladies so into
the drawing room and allow US men TO
join you there later after We have a
our smoke."
Was there a note Of reproof or dis
pleasure IN his voice? Constance Ned
ford wondered. looking anXiOusly at
the elderly man. Then as he met her
eyes he smiled so affecuonately that
she smiled back at him.
Dear childl he as sne
passed him on her way to the door.
It was but an affectionate phrase
| heart and she felt-a swift under
: standing Of and sympathy with her
uncle. She was ure that he did not
entirely trust Ralph Morton.
Then she saw that Ralph had ac-
/ companied Edith as far as the dining
/ room door n had detained her there
for a moment Had Constance Aedford
overheard his hurried words she would
have felt that Joh Hale was Justlueo
in his doubts.
What 90 YOU mean by TOO late-
Ralph was asking in a low voice
The girl scarcely paused as she re-
piled. "Just what I say. It is too late
for you to try TO shield Tom now
Then she passed on out into the han
with the other girls, who were follow
ing Mrs. Hale into the drawing room
And, although Constance watched heri
she could see no sign Of trouble IN her
cousins face as she chatted with heI
guests until the men came In from the
dining room. when she suggested mu-
sic and dancing.
When the merriment was at Its
height Edith slipped unobserved from
the room. Her head ached and she
Ionged to be alone for a few minutes,
] away from the lights and the noise
Going into the conservatory at the back
OF the hail. she stood in the fragrant
gloom, trying to collect her thoughts
Yet even here she was not to be left
undisturbed. for the sudden ringing oil
/ the telephone in the rear hall broke in
upon her solitude. The dance music
kept those in the drawing room from
hearing the bell. and the servant were
evidently downstairs lingering long
over their evening meal. Hurrying GU
Of the conservatory. Edith answered
the insistent summons. She recognized
the voice Of Mrs. Morton. Ralph's
mother.