The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-11-10

there was, as ne INTENDED there should
be, taunt that implied more than
he actually said.
mo, mop Ethel cried. at isn't
true. 1t was just a flirtation--a few
dances-a theater or two"
"Oh! That was allv' 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, 1
think. / do not know his name; but
shall find it out, and then perhaps
shall learn IL you cared for me at
all or if It was just that I 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
situation in which she had unwittingly
placed herself. To be tied for life to
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,
81 wonder, my DEAR" he said at last,
IT wonder If today it is only 1 that
count with you or if you have-memo-
ries. We shall see."
mo, no, Henry" she protested.
"I'm-Im very fond Of you," she said
brokenly.
"Fond?" The smile that he gave
her was nothing if not cruel. "Come,
then! Kiss mer' And he attempted
to embrace her. But she pushed him
away from her.
mo! All that is over. Not until we
can let people know. This secrecy
makes me feel as if were not your
wife. What Georgy said is enough to
make me believe, almost, that it has
all been just some horrible intrigue"
Nonsense; nonsensew he scoffed.
"If promise you now that next week
we make our marriage public, will
you believe me?"
Yes, Henry! l will" she said in a
voice%i in which there rang renewed
hope.
He stepped quickly to her side again.
Henry Streetman was not the sort OF
man to miss any opportunity that Of
fered.
But to do that" he stipulated, Il
must secure for France this informa-
ton concerning the feet. That will
mean promotion for me-money--
much money! And with that / need
no longer wait on my family. You
understand he asked her.
"Yes, Henry! dor
"Good! That's settled. And you
will take the first opportunity to speak
to Sir George?" He was filed with
elation at the happy turn Of affairs
But he was doomed to quick disap-
pointment. You willT' he persisted
"Now
"What?" he exclaimed, scarcely be-
iieving his ears.
II understand that for some reason
you are trying to bride me with these
promises of yours to betray Sir
Georges confidence. But I'm sick Of
this deception. I won't do it any
longer; and you oughtn't to ask it of
me-"
Indeed" he said, with a vicious
show of scorn. "And If 1t should hap
pen to come to Sir George anonymous
lyle stressed the wOrd-"that you
had already betrayed his confidence,
what would your position be here?"
He watched her narrowly, to see what
effect his threat might have upon her
"You wouldn't do that?" she ex-
claimed, as a Sudden fear gripped her
All Mt once it struck Ethel that her
position had indeed become desperate.
She had not dreamed that she would
find herself in such an impasse-and
at the hands of her husband, of all
people.
Il should not like to do it." Street
man replied. "But l intend to learn
shall learn-about the feet tonight:
and through you" he declared, with
undisguised determination.
She turned upon him like some
hunted wild thing then, ready to fight
desperately in one last, mad effort.
"Oh! So that's what your love, your
affection, amounts to, is itT'
"Put 1t any way you choose" was
his callous answer. "But must have
this information. Come! What
do you say?"
"What is there for me to say?
'Exactlyw he retorted II am glad
to see that at last you appreciate the
situation" They both started then at
the sound Of voices. sit is Sir George"
Streetman said. II shall leave pres
emily. But l shall some back in an
hour. And you will have found
out about the feet"
"Oh! l suppose sov' she replied.
"But 1t makes me hate myself-and