The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-06-01


Yet such is the character of a tenn
permanent like that of Shurtliff, mar
rowed and contracted by a single pas
sion of life and lacking the breadth
which comes from intercourse with
men and women, that his computations
of conscience only made him the more
resolved. The lonely, heart-broken old
man swore that he would never tell.
The young man could 60 his own gait
and work out his own salvation, or be
damned, If he must. The woman's
heart might break, pitiful as that
would be, but he would never tell. He
was as unhappy in that determination
as any other man fighting against his
conscience must inevitably be.
Sometimes looking at the misery in
the old mans face flor on his counte-
nance his heart wrote his secret),
Helen Illingworth experienced COM
Functions of conscience of her own,
which she told to Rodney in default
of other confessor. That fine young
man appreciated fully the woman's
feelings and understood her keen SEN
sibilities, and his comprehension was
great comfort to her. He encouraged
her to persevere. Since it was only
through Shurtliff that the truth could
be established, she must not falter
nor reject any fair and reasonable
means to gain his whole confidence
and make him speak. 1t was, after
all, simply a question of whether the
game was worth the candle. How best
could they expose or fight a deceit?
And that the deception was for a noble
purpose and to serve laudable end In
the minds of the decelvers did not
alter that fact.
'You are doing nothing in the least
degree dlshonorable, Miss Illingworth,"
said Rodney, reassuringly. "Womans
wiles have been her weapons since
the Stone Age"
"But / do feel computations of con-
science occasionally"
PERSONALLY l think you are abunt-
antly justified" urged Rodney.
"Yes, to establish the truth, to give
the man | love his good name would
Justify more than this" she replied,
'and yet"-she smiled faintly-"my
conscience does hurt me little. The
old man is beginning to love me"
"That's the reason ii hurts you,' said
Rodney. "Whenhe loves you enough
ne will do anything you want, as
would"
The young man stopped, looked long
at her, and then turned away with lit
tle gesture of-was it appeal or re.
nunciation? He was too loyal to his
friend to speak, but he could not con
troll everything. The tone of his voice
the look in his eyes, his quick avoid
ance of her, told the woman a little
story. They had been very closely as
sociated, these two. Rodney also haC
not had much advantage of woman's
society certainly not Of woman like
Helen Illlngworth. She had given hin
her full confidence in the intimacy
He was man. He loved like others
She was too fond of him, too great
too true woman to pretend.
'Mr. Rodney" said the girl, laying
her hand on his arm as though to re-
strain him, shat way madness Hes
"Miss Ilingworth," said Rodney
turning and facing her, his lips hrm
ly compressed, his eyes shining IN
devoted to Bert Meade and to your
he lifted her hand from his arm ah'
kissed it-"and I'm going to DO every
thing for your happiness"
Brave words and he said them NOR
bravely.
81 understand" said the woman
sand / honor you for your loyalty
your friend and your devotion to mi
Loyalty is not always the eaSleS
thing on earth, / know"
"You make it easy for me beeaus
you understand"
SO the fall and winter were nile
with interest to Helen Illingworth an
there was in her days no lack of hop
Every Saturday the flowers that Meat
had arranged for spoke words OF 10y
to her and babe her not forget, 9
though that was admonition she d
not need.
That was the only message that 81
received from her lover. lie III
dropped out of sight completely. Tn
caused search to be made for hi
sought tidlngs of him in every possib
way, but in vain. Her heart almo
broke sometimes at the separation. s
had confidence enough in her pow
over him, and in her woman's wit,
feel that if she had only another @
portunlty she might learn the trui
force it from him, constrain him TO I
1t, because she loved himl