The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-06-12

morris chair beside his desk that had
been so horrible lonely without him.
Half unconsciously, she pressed the
spring and opened the back case. In
utter horror and surprise she stared
at the face that looked back at her
not her own, but the face Of a strange
girl. Even in that first moment Of dull
agony che realized the charm and beau
ty Of It. 1t slipped out from under
her thumb nail easily, and on the
back she saw written, in firm, modish
hand. For dearest, from EsteIe."
1t was after in the morning before
she got any sleep. If It could only
have been some natural tragedy, she
told herself over and over, walking
the floor. II there could have been
an accident and Hal could have left
her a widow with all her Illusions and
love for him preserved. 1t was not
only the discovery Of another woman
in his life, but that she should have
been so calloused, so hardened as to
put the creatures picture where hers
had been in that watch that was her
gift to him.
One impulse followed another. She
longed to go away to leave him with
out a scene or any chance for him to
try and explain with the usual tricky
little falsehoods men thought up to
cover such situation. She had not
been reading the smarter monthlies
for nothing. She knew what was ex-
pected of a bride in such an emer-
gency.
She had intended meeting Hal at
the station the following morning, but
she changed her mind. After looking
for her in vain, Hal took a taxi up.
town without even waiting to tele-
phone her, and burst into the apart
ment just as Berenice hurried away
from the front window, where she had
been watching for him surreptitiously.
"Why, darling" he exclaimed, drop
ping his suitcases, "are you ill?"
Don't come near me. Don't dare
touch me-" Her voice sounded little
faint and hollow, and one hand press.
ed her throat. She looked adorable
in her pale pink negligee. Even her
pallor was an enhancement, Hal
thought as he looked at her eagerly.
"Berenice!" he cried, What do you
mean? What has happened since I've
been gomez"
cI,o one,yornJ or,,pkipully
ITO be left until called for Oh,
you brute" The tears forced them
selves between her lashes. She point
cd to the watch on the desk. Would
you mind returning MY picture, since
you have hers in there now"
Hal regarded her in utter bewild'
"Her's!" he repeated. who do you
mean?"
"EstelleH She hurled the name at
him epecting him go wilt, but instxead
his expression changed to one Of solic-
itude.
Hadn't you better lie down, dear?
don't think you're quite we'll"
II won't lie down." she retorted in
dignantly, crossing to the desk. "You
needn't think, Hal Demorest, that Just
because I've loved you I'm going to
stand any such thing as that" She
snatched up the watch and, opening
the back case, thrust it toward him,
adding scornfuily, "'For Dearest from
Estelle."
81 swear to you began Hal sol.
emnIv when all at once the tele-
phone bell rang. 1t was the old watch
repairer, and his tone was anxious
as Berenice answered it.
Hello, is that Mrs. Demorest? This
is the jeweler where you got Mr..
Demorest's watch last night. ! made
mistake. You know the watch you
noticed on the rack, yes? 1t was so
much like Mr.. Demorest's? There was
picture in the back Of that, too, and
got them mixed up, Would you mind
sending over the one you have, as
there is a lady and gentleman here
who are very much troubled over it."
$50 are we" said Berenice fervent'
ly. ooh, I'm so glad! I'll send 1t right
over. Thank you" She hung up the
received and looked over at Hal with
tear.filled eyes of contrition. "oh,
boy, dear He mixed them up. Some.
body else got by picture-the some.
body who is 'Estelle's dearest Hal
"You little duffer," said Hal tender
ly, ~ don't mind. If you didn't love
me so much you would never have
been jealous of me-"