The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1916-06-08

self was the cause until one day.
He was at work on serial novel
and from the beginning something had
told her that it embodied great deal
of his own life Delicately disguised
though she was, Lydia knew. too, that
Mrs Sarnold was the woman who had
wrecked that life. And then. sud
denly, Lydia realized that the healing
spirit which entered was-herself!
How she knew she could not i'm
agine, for the girl was depicted as to-
tally different from her. But she
knew, and her hand fell suddenly
from the type ritter keys, and some
how Sarnold's found it and closed
upon it. And without a word being
spoken Lydia knew that their love was
mutual, was the dearest and the most
sacred thing in all the world.
Then, looking up with guilty start.
Lydia saw Mrs. Sarnold standing in
the doorway A cold smile played
about her lips; she had seen and I'M
derstood
She said nothing, and the next day
Lydia spoke to Sarnold of the resolu-
ton to which she had come.
You asked me when you engaged
me whether l was engaged-in an
other sense she said, with laugh of
affected embarrassment. "Or whether
| expected to be- ! did not, but-but
someone has come into my life, and
am going to leave you"
She saw Sarnold start in amazement,
and then a look of bitterness crossed
his face She knew what that look
meant He had given her the I'M
spoken homage of his love. and She
had accepted it while her heart was
another's.
Wrong though that love had been,
there were many elements to justify 1t.
And Sarnold felt that she had deceived
him wretchedly.
I'm sorry, but-of course, it must
be So he said. He asked no ques-
tons
1t was his wife who made the OBJ
jections. She hated Lydia with all
the vehemence of which her cold ma
ture was capable; but she knew that
If Lydia went her own future was
compromised. If Lydia were not there,
with her clever brain and skillful fin
gers, they might become paupers.
IF you want more money you can
get it. I'll see to that" she said.
Money would make no difference
said Lydia resentfully.
Mrs. Sarnold laughed shortly. Don't
pose as an angel" she answered
! You'll find marriage isn't what it's
cracked up as being"
Lydia had given Sarnold a months
notice, and offered to stay another
month, if necessary, to train her sue
cessor, but Sarnold did not advertise
for new assistant. Wondering, Ly
dia found all her efforts to urge him In
this direction repulsed with a sort OF
brutality
She knew that she had wounded
Sarnold to the core by the new tone
of his work. Clever it was. but Gym
eai, and all at once the realization
came 10 her that II was she who had
turned to gall the sweetness in
Sarnold's nature. What had survived
the disillusionment of marriage had
been destroyed utterly by her action
And before she went she felt that that
lie must be made white.
She closed the dictaphone for the
last time and covered the typewriter
She turned to him.
Il must say something to you" she
began. when l told you that | was
leaving because l was engaged to be
married l was telling an untruth. /
am not engaged to be married"
The blind man leaned toward her.
"Then-then why are you leaving
me?" he asked in unsteady tones
Her breast rose and fell swiftly; she
could not answer him. But he knew.
Intuition had not played him false, as
he had supposed. He knew-as she
did
With a laugh lie sought her and held
her in his arms, and their lips met
once-the only time, but with the pent
up longing of years.
Then he released her and took of
his glasses.
q will be frank, too" he said. LILY.
dia. have seen perfectly for three
months past. l deceived you-be.
cause | wanted you to stay. Because
life was unbearable without you. /
hoped we might be happy-just in the
work But it was not to be"
She rose and he took her hands in
his.
Il shall always remember you" he
said softly
And you" she replied.
/ 1t was two years later that the sud.
/ den telegram summoned Lydia back
to the house Mrs Sarnold was dying
of an incurable disease. 1t was she
who had sent for the girl.
She smiled through her pain as Ly.
dia stood at the bedside.
q have come to see clearly at last.
she said. q know that have bitterly
wronged my husband, and l want to
make amends the only possible
amends
She placed Lydia's hand in that OF
her husband And with heads bowed
they stood beside the dying woman.
Flying Bird Broke Window.