Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-15

/ From the corrosive EN- barraSsmcnt
OF. that moment. Norwood was the first
| to recover.
|, II think we'd better return to the
! hall-and To Mrs. Kennedy" his tone
was frigidly impcrsonal.
The drive back was in silence. pain
| fully constrained. Margaret. drawing
further into the shadows of the deep
seat avertcd her still-faming face
| from the bctraying light OF the street
lamps.
What was in Norwoods mind? How
could she ever face him again: Now
that he had discovered her secret.
would he despise her? Would he have
for her only contempt-because of ner
love for married man?
| Would Kennedy try to explain away
the situation? His silence seemed like
an admission: yet what could he say
! or do that would not add to her hu-
! initiation?
AS the car drew up at the hall. a
reporter recognizing Kennedy rushed
towards him. Instantly he was sur
, rounded by an anxious crowd.
mo. mol" Margaret shrank back as
he turned to help her out.
| "I'll see Miss Warner home" an
nounced Norwood with curt authority.
The car moved on, but not before
Margaret had seen Mrs. Kennedy ra-
| diant with relief. making her way
through the crowd to her husband.
| This drive, too. was In silence. Nor
wood sat with folded arms staring
grimly out of the window Aargare.
stole iimid glance at mis- stern pro-
file. but he did not look towards her.
Waves of modification engulfed her.
Never had she felt so keenly the pos
sible depths OF degradation that lay
in her love for Kennedy.
I At her apartment. quietly unheedinE
her faint protest. Norwood followed
her into the elevator. In her own llv
ing room. sho dropped on the indow-
seat, with flushed avcrtei face
Margaret. I want to help you," his
voice was low and controlled. Isn't
there something you wish TO tell me-
You're SO unfortunately alone-you
have no one TO protect you. Won't you
confide In me?'
Il can't" her tense fingers twisting
her gloves.
Don't you know that no explanation
you could make would be worse than
what must infer by your silence?
Margaret. care for YOU SO much that
II would forgive great dea!-morc
than you would think possible"
"Oh. don't: please don't. can't bear
lit. There's nothing l can tell you
nothing"
rs that fnal?' his voice hardened.
the window drapery. She heard MIN
rice cross the room. then the sound Of
a closing door.
Alone, she slipped to the floor. her
head on the window-seat and waves
Of scorching humiliation swept over
her.
His face set in stern lines. Kennedy
paced the length OF the library. The
situation was intclerable. He loathed
himself for his silence on the drive
back TO the hall.
II had seemed like a withdrawal
from the woman he loved-as though
he sought to shield himself at her OK
pense Yet what could he have said
that would not have increased her
modification?
And Norwood What had he said to
her On the way home? The mere
thought OF her further humiliation was
nendurable.
He was at the telephone now. his
hand on the receiver. What could he
say that would help her? What would
he say over the wire?
The next moment her voice came
faint and strained. AS he strove to
reassure her. there was furtive sound
from the hall. With swift. noiselcss
stride he reached the door and flung II
open.
into the room.
A throbbing moment as she regain
ed her feet and shrank back against
the wall. In blanched. quivering def
ance.
You we're listening" contemptuous-
ly: You've stopped 10 that?"
:I.ve been driven to that-by your
unfaithfuincss"
What do you meano" sternly threat
ening.
1T know! have known for months!
Now I've reached the limit Of my en-
durance! You must give her up
YOU must promise me that you Will"
IT can promise nothing" in a low
voice.
steal pain. Then her gropins step on
the stairs-and from above the thud
OF closing door.
Impelled by vague fear. he rushed
after. Her room was empty; but from
the bathroom came a click of bottles.
Mary. open this door" Then his
hung weight forced the lock.
Snatching from her the poison-la-
beled bottle. he shattered it against the
wall. With a low moan. Mary had
dropped to the tiled floor. Picking
her up. he carried her into the bed
For long time ne sat beside her.
chafing her cold hands, as she lay
with her face turned from him. Meth
err spoke. He knew there was but one
thing that would help-and that he
could not promise.
The wretched tangle OF his life loom
ed before him. He had brought suf-
fering to the two women who loved
him. lie had gone so far that there
was now no turning back-no honor
able way out.
When finally he left her. he went
into his own room with husky Good
night" The very phase seemed a
mockery. for he knew that the night
would bring them both only a wretch
ed. slecpless vigil
1t was noon the. next day when the
| elevator boy brought note to Mar
garet's door. and announced that a car
was waiting.
With a dread premonition. she tore
open the envelope.
III. X. is in danger. II you would
| go ut wi he N