The Carlisle independent., 1917-05-24


 I must have time to think" she said. Come to me this afternoon. -. will give you my decision then"
 Though racked by emotion, she kept herself, by supreme effort of the will, under admirable control. It was not, indeed, until she had reached her room and bolted the door behind her that she threw herself upon the bed and gave way to torrent of tears.
 Late that afternoon Hope came to her for his answer. Though her eyes were swollen from weeping, she was calmer, more dignifed, than he had ever seen her. In the space of few hours she seemed to have changed from child to a woman. She had donned the same black gown that she had worn at her fathers funeral, its somberness accentuating the glory of her hair and the milky whiteness of her complexion. Hope thought that frail and so appealing.
 Jarvis" she began, 'I have spent the whole day trying to decide what is the right thing for us to do. You are, as this Miss Machin says in her letter, a gentleman and in such case gentleman has no alternative Jarvis, you must marry her."
 But l am going to marry you," cried Hope.
 "No, dear," said Cleo firmly, though her lips quivered, you are not going to marry me <. much as I love you, l could never be happy as your wife knowing that another woman had a claim on you and now, dearest, you must go -. I can't stand it any longer :. my heart is breaking"
 T won't go." Hope fairly shouted. .'I don't love that woman and l won't marry her. She has no claim on me l never harmed a hair of her head. Pm going to stay here and marry you, my darling"
 Listen to me, Jarvis, dear," said Cleo, putting her hands on his shoul- ders and raising her tear-filled eyes to his. Do you really love me?'
 Do I love you?" he groaned. q love you so much that life without you is not worth living"
 And you wish to please mel" "Of course" he answered simply.
 "Then you will marry Miss Machin," said Cleo. Cant you see, dear. that though it breaks my heart to give you up I can always feel that we were strong enough to do what was honor- able and right? It is because I love you so much, Jarvis, that I ask this of you"
 "May-may kiss you good-by, my darling?" asked Hope brokenly. Her answer was to throw herself into his arms. For a long minute their lips clung together, their hearts throbbed in unison; then she struggled free.
 Then turning he groped his way to the door. AS it closed behind him Cleo stood for a moment, swaying like a lily in the wind, and then, her strength suddenly deserting her, crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
 The next morning Hope, very white and shaken, sent for Hook, showed him the letter from Inez Machin, and told him of Cleo's decision.
 "Shucks," said the old seaman, after he heard the story, there ain't no more call for you to marry that gal, lootenant, than there is fer me to. 'Cording to your story, and her story, too, she ain't caught you with the goods. She's just trying to put one over on you, lootenant."
 That's the way it looks to me, Hook, but Cleo won't see it that way. She insists that the only honorable thing for me to do under the circum- stances is to marry Miss Machin. I've tried to argue with her, but she's ada mantine."
 Just you wait till I've had talk with her." said Hook, rising. Don't you do nothing foolish, lootenant, un- til get back. I'll soon talk those story-book notions outen her head. Don't you worry .. I'll fix things up all right"
 T hope to heaven you'll be success ful," said Hope, fervently. If you are I'll never forget it." Two hours later Hook returned. One look at his face showed Hope that he had met with no success. 'sTm much obliged to you, Hook" said Hope, wearily, but I knew it | would be useless. When Cleo once makes up her mind there's no use in trying to change it. You will look after her. Hook, won't you?"
 "You bet will, lootenant," said the sailor, mopping his eyes with vivid bandana. "Pm a pretty tough old salt, but I'll do my best to be father to her."
 "And Hook" said Hope, with a trace of embarrassment, If you-if she should ever need any money you won't hesitate to let me know, will you? l haven't much besides my pay, but whatever have. it's Cleo's and yours for the asking. can go away with an easier mind If l can have your