The Raymer enterprise., 1917-04-19

Y IN the snOp. the uttle room winch nau
once meant to him the beginning OF
lIfe's joyousness and llfe's hopes; and
which was now prison house whence
ghosts Of yesterdays mocked him with
their memories.
He was about to close its doors for
the day.
Tolnette summoned all her strength.
The tower of pride was tottering; II
can be sent down In ruins SO easily
when a girl throws down the weapon
Of her sex!
Il can't stand 1t any longer, David"
she said breathlessly, ito see you suf.
fer. know you are suffering, because
I-because I-because 1t hurts me SO p
What glorious crash the tower
madel
David took quick step toward her.
Lis pulses throbbed ungoyernably.
"Toinette, what do you mean?' His
face was glorious. "Have you-do you
believe In me now7"
you have blotted out all the past,
David" she said simply.
The Joy suddenly left his face.
But the past" he said, in dread Of
what her answer might be, "the past
have you forgotten why you drove me
from your Have you forgotten what
treason you charged me with?"
She waved the words aside. THAT
Is all past now, David. 1t is the fu-
turs that Is everything. And I know
now what you mean to me-"
He clenched bis hands at his side.
He would be patient. Was 1t possible
that she still believed the empty SIAN
der against his loyaltyf
NO, Toinette" be said, as gently as
he could, Il have not forgotten your
charge against me. I can never for
get 1t until you say that you were
wrong"
The tower Of pride reared itself up
again from Its dust Why must he
ask her to humble herself still further,
when she had already said so much?
She was silent. He waited for her
answer. but none came; and at last.
he bowed gravely.
"Then II Is useless to talk of-for-
getting. Please let US end this foolish
play"
He moved as though to 60 on with
hls work.
swat, Davldl" she said tremulously.
Her eyes were blinded with tears. Her
fingers had been plucking nervously at
purple ribbon which hung from her
bodice.
wait, I want to give you-a re-
membrance." She lifted the great
shears from the counter and clipped
the silken cord from Its fastenings. A
tear ran down and stained 1t with q
darker color. Her fingers twisted the
sorry token, quickly twisted 1t into a
wistful emblem such as happy lovers
laughingly give each other-a lovers
knot. She raised her face and her
blue eyes smiled wanly through the
mist that clouded them.
Here, David, take this-just to be
foolish, just to be foolish for once"
He took 1t. His hand was trembling.
But his face was steel, unforgiving.
All his yearning for her burned In his
breast, white caldron of passion;
but around 1t closed the unyieldlng
walls Of his cold passion for his honor.
He could never forget that she had
doubted him once. Until that stain
had been washed away. he could not
forgive. He remembered the young
Sir Philip Sidney of whom her father.
old Patrice, had so often told him-of
his proud guardianship of the white
shield of manly ho1r; he himself had
been only wearer. but here, In this
new country he was q man; and his
honor must be first!
"Toinette," he said in a low voice,
"who told you that / had acted as
spy?"
The blood rushed to her cheeks.
This, too, she would give him.
"noctor Elliott" she whispered, with
bent head.
''Who Is he?" cried David In a fury.
THAT young doctor who comes here
from Louisville? In Gods name. what
has he against me? I've never seen
the mani But do you believe him
stillT
"You have neyer-never denied
never she stopped miserably. She
could not raise her eyes to face him.
"Then nothing else matters, Toln-
cite"
"Oh. David. that doesn't matter eli.
therl" she cried. "Nothing matters
want you In spite of that!"
But he shook his head.
She became very pale again.
II have offered all / have" she said
proudly. Il have nothing more to give"
Il can take nothing from you while
you believe me guilty. Ny name is all
have to give you"
Her answer scarcely reached his
ear:
"Oh, David, let vur love be enough"
The light had faded from the sky.