The Carlisle independent., 1917-05-24
TWELFTH INSTALLMENT

"What is the matter, dear?" asked Cleo quickly, noting the anguish in Hopes face. Has anything hap pened?"
 For long moment he stood notion less. Then, summoning all his cour- age, he proffered her the letter.
 Read it." he said in a tone so whisper.
 Filled with forebodings of she knew not what, Cleo unfolded the closely written sheet. This is what she read i: Dear Jarvis:
 This is a humiliating letter for woman to have to write to a man-but it has to be written. Do you remember-but of course you do-the Abernethy's house party at Lake Placid last summer? And do you remember how we lost our way the afternoon we started to climb White face, and how. the storm coming up, we took refuge in that deserted cabin and spent the night there together in the for est? q shall never forget how the wind moaned there, and the rain lashed the roof all through that interminable night.) We were afraid we would not be believed fl we told the truth, you remember, so
 
 ing we told the others that we had spent the night at the Lees cottage. It was foolish-an insane thing-but we did 1t. They say that lies have a way of con- ing home to roost, and it is quite true for that lie has come home and is roost- ing on my bedpost-a great black, ugly thing that is driving me wild. = It seems that a few days after we left Lake Placid Hazel Abernethy happened to meet Mrs. Lee at the boat club and thanked her for taking care of us. Of course, Mrs. Lee had no idea what Hazel was driving at and said so-and then the cat was out of the bag. And if anything were needed to make matters worse, one of the guides told Mrs. Abernethy that he had seen us coming out of the cabin at seven o'clock in the morning
 Hazel, as you know, is a modern edi- ton of the town crier, and, thanks to her Industrious circulation of the story every one knows that we spent the night to- gether in the cabin-and, of course puts the worst possible interpretation upon it. You know and I know that we did no wrong, but no amount of denial will con- vince others of our innocence. I'm net blaming you, Jarvis, but you have con- promised me. Indeed, I already begin to see signs of ostracism. At the Hildreth's dinner the other night that impossible Mrs. Norton asked me if I didn't prefer
 
 to the staid existence one leads in New York-whereupon a general snicker ran around the table. You will understand, therefore, that life has become perfectly fntolerable.
 Under such circumstances, Jarvis, there is only one course open to a gentleman and I know that you are a gentleman. You proved that by the way you con- 6ucted yourself In the cabin. Is there need, then. for me to tell you what you should do? I am fond of you and I am sure that I could make you happy With implicit faith that you will do what is right by me, eagerly await your reply
 Afectionately. INEZ
 For what seemed to them both an eternity, Cleo, her cheeks drained of color, stood as though turned to stone, staring at the letter with unseeing eyes. At last she spoke:
 -Who is this woman?"
 Her name is Inez Machin," replied Hope. "She belongs to quite a we'll known New York family. I met her last summer at a house party in the Adirondacks."
 Do you love herY
 Love herr" he repeated bitterly. Mot the least in the world. There Is only one woman whom love-and you know who she is Cleo"
 "Is it true, as she says, that you did oothing wrongT"
 "Qn my honor as an officer and a mad I swear it, Cleo.'
 You needn't swear it, Jarvis," she answered dispassionately. "In my heart never doubted you"
 There was . pause.
 What are you s1ns to do about