The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1914-06-06

Yes, he must know" Haisey nod
ded He held her hand now in his
own. They swept on. an upon some
vast wave. helpless. clinging to each
other. he doing what he could TO save
her.
walled. There was something Pagan
in me and didn't know it.. thought
| was in hand. but wasn't, Is,arted
low, and I wanted to climb up-and
up-and up, oh. Charley. look!" She
leaned toward him across the table.
pleading. Il was just ambitious. just
like any American girl-like every
woman in the world. I suppose. III ]
sold out. l didn't know it ! didn't
want you to care for me. But you did.
you do! l kept away from you. % that
you wouldn't, SO that we couldn't-so
that I'd always feel that you. At
least"
Where can It end!" he asked quiet
ly.
Il don't care where it ends. that's
the worst of il: | don't care. One
thing only is to my credit I've kept
my bargain-with him. I've paid the
price l agreed to give. There is no
scandal about me-yet- And there
might have been."
Yes"
But some way, when he sent me
out for you. talked to me as he did.
treated me like q piece Of merchan-
disc as he did-for once l wavered.
hop fA
that was released from all obliga-
lions to him. that l was where l ought
to have a chance for my own hand. to
see life az life could be for itself. to
have the love that's life for q woman
| wanted to be wooed and won by
some one who loved me. just AZ any
woman wants to be. Charley. some
time, And | wasn't wasn't
1t was horrible. 1t was hor-
rible. wanted to give love
for love. ! wanted what couldn't get,
and saw 1t was too late to get 1t fair.
and when saw that you-that even
you'd sell out for newly, where was
the good. clean thing left in all the
world7 couldn't tell. ! didn't know
what to do. l don't know now. But
you put these papers before me now.
and you expect me to shed tears over
them. l can't | don't care. The worst
was over for me before now. 1t came
when | knew you'd love me II I'd raise
a finger to you. Why didn't you make
me love you frst-long ago? Then al!
would have come right. Back there
at first"
They'll say that when your hus-
band lost his fortune he lost his wife.
Yes he nodded. They'll say that
and believe 1t! That isn't true!"
No. that isn't true. was done
with him the moment he set this err
rand for me. No woman can love
man who will do that. But was done
with him-from the first l never loved
him, | never did only married him =
| sold out-what ha4 to sell, myself.
my fitness for place like this. That
was what l called success! l wanted
to be some one in the world! Look at
me now"
They sat, two figures in an inexor-
able drama that swept relentlessly
forward: tasting OF part OF ambi-
tons ripened fruit: yet hungering
with the vast pitiful, merciless human
hunger for that other fruit that hung
in a garden once not lost.
III 1t costs my soul, I'll stand by
you," he said at last; and he reached
out a hand to her suddenly.
mo. no." she cried. Walt! Wait!
I want to think"
A discreet cough sounded. The but
Ter approached bearing coffee. He
wore a half sneer on his face now. the
sneer OF the unpaid mercenary. He
doubted, and had cause to doubt,
whether the last months salary would
be forthcoming; for buffers read morn
ing papers. "Ah. er. Mrs. Rawn-"
he began.
What do you want? How dare you
speak to mel" she rejoined. Il do not
care to be disturbed You may co."
He did go; and this was on an er.
rand o; his own. an errand which end
ed in Grace Hal5ey's chambers. For
buffers sometimes take ingenious re.
yenge.
Haisey and Virginia Rawn sat on
for a time at the table. the almost un.
tasted breakfast before them The
sun grew warmer. After time she
rose, and they passed from the gallery
toward the interior of the house. The
tray upon the hall table held a scanty
morning load for it-one letter and
telegram: the former addressed to
Mrs. Charles Halsey. the latter to her
self.
ct must be from him." he said
She tossed 1t to him.
Home tonight. John Rawl."
frn nr