The Ekalaka eagle., 1915-08-20

! the little third room, which I have
mentioned as communicating with the
back drawing room, and dropped the
curtains which closed the open door
way If l only waited there for Il
minute or two the usual result in such
cases would take place. That is to
say, the doctor would be conducted to
his patients room.
| l waited a minute or two and more
than a minute or two. l heard the Wis
itor walking rcstlessly backward and
forward. | also heard him talking to
himself. l even thought | recognized
the voice. Had l made mistake?
Was it not the doctor, but somebody
else? Mr.. Bruff. for instance? No.
An unerring instinct told me it was
not Mr.. Rrunf. Whoever he was, he
was still talking to himself. l parted
the heavy curtains the least little NOR
sci in the world and listened.
The words ! heard WERE I'll do it
tOday!' And the voice that spoke them
was Godfrey Ablcwhitcs
suddenly heard another voice in the
room. 1t penetrated through the cur
tains. 1t was loud, it was bold, it was
wanting in every female charm-the
voice of Rachel Nerinder.
l had been in burning fever a mo-
mcnt since and in some doubt what to
do next. | became extremely cold now
and felt no doubt whatever. To show
myself after what had heard was i'm
possible. To retreat, except into the
fireplace, was equally out of the ques-
ton. l noiselcssly arranged the cur
tains so that l could both see and hear.
Godfrey took the nearest seat.
"Wel," she went ON, "WLat did you
say to them:"
Just what you said, dear Rachel, to
me-"
THAT mamma was not at all we'll
today and that didn't quite like lcav
ing her to go to the concert"
'You don't think it's serious, do you,
Godfrey"
, Far from it. In a few days, l feel
quite sure all will be we'll again."
II think so too. l was little fright
. ened at first, but l think so too. 1t
was very kind to go and make my eX-
cuscs for me to people who are almost
strangers to you. But why not have
gone with them to the concert? 1t
seems very hard that you should miss
, the music too
Don't say that. Rachel. If you only
knew how much happier am-here
> with you"'
Would you think to look at me,
: she went ON, that l am the wretchel
: est girl living? It's true, Godfrey
. What greater Wretchedncss can there
be than to live degraded in your OWE
estimation? That is my life now."
"NIy dear Rachel, it's impossible YOU
can have any reason to speak of your
+ self in that way"'
: "IIow do you know I have no rea
+ son:'
"Can YOU ask me the question?
t know it because l know you. YOU
: silence, dearest. has never lowered yol
I in the estimation of Your true friends
Y The disappearance of Your preciou:
birthday gift may seem strange. You
l. unexplained connection with that even
Il may seem stranger still
!. ".are YOU speaking of the moonstonc
0 Godfrey"
l. T certainly thought that you re
J. ferrcd"-
: 81 referred to nothing of the sort.
d can hear of the loss of the moonstone
let who will speak of it. without fee
It ing degraded in my own estimation
J. If the story of the diamond ever come
Ii to light it will be known that l accept
= ed dreadful responsibility: it will b
known that l involved E}Es"lf in til
II keeping of Il miserable Sccrct-but
g will be as clear as the sun ut noonja
y that l did nothing mean. You hay
misunderstood me, Godfrey. It's III
e fault for not speaking more painl,
d Cost me- what it may. l vii! be plaine
Il now. Suppose YOU were not in 10y
ID with NE? Suppose YOU We're in lov
lc with some other woman:
"Yes:"
1T "Suprosc you discovered that woma
t. to be utterly unworthy of YOU: SUI
lc pose YOU were quite convinced that
s. was disgrace to YOU to waist" anotht
H. thought Oh her: Suppose the ban
@. idea of ever marrying such Il pcrsu
It. made Your face burn only with thin!
lg ing of it,
"Yes:"
"And suppose in spite of all that yC
s. couldn't tear her from your heart? II
ct doesn't know-he never will know
lc what have told you. Il will never st
d. him, don't care what happens-I wi
to never, never, never see him agail