The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1916-08-31


You to marry him" In his words
there was. as he intended there should
be. a taunt that implied more than
he actually said
"No, no." Ethel cried ut isn't
true. II was just firtation-a few
dances-a theater or two"
ooh! That was allr' he retorted. |
"And yet they told me you had known
him all your life"
II don't know whom you're talking
about" she said in desperation.
"Nor do l." he reJoined. ut was
some man in the army-a captain,
think. | do not know his name; but
shall find il out, and then perhaps
I shall learn IL you cared for me AT
all or II il was just that / caught you
on the rebound"
"what do you mean" She faced
him tensely. Such scenes were new
to her. Trouble, OF sort. she had
known. But never anything like this.
| II had been hard enough 10 see her
resources dwindling steadily. without
the means OF replenishing them, and
with actual penury staring her in the
face. But now Ethel knew that that
was as nothing compared with the
situation I'm which she had unwittingly
placed herself. To be tied for life 10
a man who did not love her-who
seemed an absolute brute-that was
worse, thousand times, than any
mere financial difficulties.
Streetman did not at once reply to
her. For few moments he regarded
her balefully. as if she were already
a hateful thing in his eyes.
"I wonder. my dear" he said at last,
"I wonder If today it is only that
count with you or if you have-memo-
rjes. We shall see"
mo. no. Henry" she protested
"Tm-I'm very fond of you she said
brokenly.
"FondT The smile that he gave
her was nothing IL not cruel. Come
then, Kiss me.' And he attempted
TO embrace her. But she pushed hin
/, away from her.
mo! All that is over. Not until We
, can let people know. This secrecy
makes me feel as II were not YOU
, wife. What GeOrgy said is enough u
|, make me believe, almost, that II mas
all been just some horrible intrigue.
Nonsense; nonsense he scored
"If promise you now that next weel
we make our marriage public, VIII
, you believe me?'
, "Yes, Henry! l wll!' she said In
voice In which there rang renewe'
hope.
He stepped quickly to her side again
), Henry Streetman was not the sort
man to miss any opportunity that OF
fered
But to do that" he stipulated, "
. must secure for France this informs
, ton concerning the feet. That wi
;. mean promotion for me-money-
7 much money! And with that l nee
, no longer wait on my family. 70
r. understand" he asked her.
= Eyes, Henry! l do"
/, Good! That's settled. And 20
ia will take the first opportunity to spea
NJ to Sir GeorgeT' He was filled wit
:. elation at the happy turn Of affair
But he was doomed to quick disal
&c pointment. "You will?" he persisted.
20 "Now
d "What?" he exclaimed, scarcely b
lleving his ears.
IN IL understand that for some reaso
h. you are trying TO bride me with the'
o promises OF yours to betray )
Georges confidence. But I'm sick
this deception. won't do 1t al
longer; and you oughtn't to ask 1t
me-"
"Indeedw he said. with vicio'
show of scorn. "And If ii should ha
pen to come to Sir George anonymou
ly'-he stressed the word-"that "
had already betrayed his confidenc
what would your position be here
He watched her narrowly, to see VIII
effect his threat might have upon hi
"You wouldn't do that?" she e
claimed, as a sudden fear gripped III
All at once it struck Ethel that h
position had indeed become desperat
She had not dreamed that she wou
find herself in such an impasse-al
: at the hands of her husband, OF
people.
81 should not like to do it." Sire
- man replied. But intend to learn
l shall learn-about the fleet tonigl
- and through your he declared, w
- undisguised determination.
She turned upon him like sol
hunted wild thing then, ready to fie
desperately in one last, mad effort.
"Ohl So that's what your love, yo
, affection, amounts to, is itT
"Put it any way you choose" "
his callous answer. But l must ha
this information. Come! WI
:. do you sayT
"what is there for me to sayT"
I. "ExactlyY he retorted. II am g
'ew to see that Mt last you appreciate
am situation" They both started then
no the sound OF voices. 1T Is Sir GeorG
net Streetman said. IT shall leave pI
dp, emily. But / shall some back In
ar hour And you will have fol