The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-08-17

"Once, perhaps. thought So" hi
said, talking her down like common
brawler. "But now hear 1t was
another man whom you really loved
young Irishman who went away
without doing you the honor of asking
you to marry him." In his words
there was. as he intended there should
be, a taunt that implied more than
he actually said
mo. nor Ethel cried. at isn't
true. 1t was just firtation-a few
dances-a theater or two!'
"Oh! That was all" he retorted.
"And yet they told me you had known
him all your life"
II don't know whom ERE talking
about" she said in desperation.
"Nor do l." he rejoined. "It was
some man in the army-a captain. I
think. do not know his name: but
! shall find 1t out, and then perhaps
shall learn II you cared for me at
all or IL 1t 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.
1t had been hard enough to 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
situa ton in which she had unwittingly
placed herself. To be tied for life to
a man who did not love her-who
seemed an absolute brute-that was
worse. a thousand times, than any
mere financial difficulties.
Streetman did not at once reply to
her. For a few moments he regarded |
her balefully. as If she were already
q hateful thing in his eyes.
81 wonder. my DEAR" he said at last,
Il wonder If today it is only that
count with you or II you have-memo-
ries. We shall see."
"No. no, Henry" she protested.
"Pm-I'm very fond of you." she said
brokenly.
"Fond?" The smile that he gave
her was nothing If not cruel. "Come
then! Kiss me!' And he attempted
to embrace her. But she pushed him
away from her.
"No! All that is over. Not until we
IAN let people know. This secrecy
makes me feel as IL were not your
wife. What Georgy said is enough to
make me believe, almost, that it has
II been just some horrible intrigue"
Nonsense; nonsensew he scoffed.
II I promise you now that next week
We make our marriage public. viii
ou believe meY"
Eyes, Henryi l will?' she said In
ofceA in which there rang renewed
ope.
He stepped quickly to her side again.
Ienry Streetman was not the sort OF
ian to miss any opportunity that Of
cred.
"But to do that" he stipulated. II
lust secure for France this informa-
on concerning the feet. That will
lean promotion for me-money- I
luch money! And with that l need :
o longer walt on my family. You p
he asked her.
Eyes, Henry! l doy I
Good! That's settled. And you '
Ill take the first opportunity to speak q
Sir GeorgeY He was filed with n
alton at the happy turn Of affairs.
ut he was doomed to quick disap-
ointment. "You will?" he persisted. II
"Nop
"WhatY' he exclaimed, scarcely be-
ewing his ears.
~ understand that for some reason p
~ are trying to bride me with these G.
'omises Of yours to betray Sir
eorge's confidence. But I'm sick of p
Is deception. won't do it any e
niger; and you oughtn't to ask 1t of =
e."
"Indeed?' he said, with a vicious :.
ow OF scorn. "And IL 1t should hap "
n to come to Sir George anonymous
he stressed the word-"that you :"
d already betrayed his confidence III
rat would your position be herew
3 watched her narrowly, to see what ~
ect his threat might have upon her. :.
''You wouldn't do that?" she ex- -
lined, as a sudden fear gripped her. ~
! at once It struck Ethel that her VI
sition had indeed become desperate. W
e had not dreamed that she would ue
d herself In such an impasse-and w
the hands of her husband, Of all !.
ople. Gil
I should not like to do It," Street pc
n replied. But intend to learn 49,
hall learn-about the feet tonight;
through you" he declared, with OF
disguised determination. ne