Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-03-19
CHAPTER lll-Continued.

CHAPTER lll-Continued.
81 didn't have any money to speak
of, but had some jewelry-my moth
er's-and he was to take that and
pawn it for money to get married
with"
81 see."
The girl in her turn went to one of
the windows, standing with her back
to the room. Whitaker drew a chair
for her and took a seat a little dis
lance away, with a keen glance APP
praising the change in her condition.
She seemed measurably more COM
posed and mistress of her emotions,
though he had to judge mostly by her
voice and manner, so dark was the
room.
'Don'tl" she cried sharply. "Please
don't look at me So"
81 beg your pardon. didn't mean
to"
ITS only-only that you make me
think of what you must be thinking
about me"
you've had a narrow but a won
derfully lucky escape"
"Ohl But I'm not glad
was desperate"
II mean," he interrupted coolly,
''from Mr.. Morton. The silver lining
is, you're not married to black
guard"
"Oh, yes, yesl" she agreed passion
ately.
"And you have youth, health, years
of life before you'll"
He sighed inaudibly
"You wouldn't say that, if you under
stood"
Have you thought of going home?
Have you written to your father-ex-
plained?"
81 sent him special delivery three
days ago, and-and yesterday a tele-
gram. 1 knew it wouldn't do any good,
but 1 told him everything. He
didn't answer. He won't, ever"
She bent forward, elbows on knees,
head and shoulders cringing.
1T hurts sol" she walled 4.
"what people will think the
shame, the bitter, bitter shame of
this Eve earned my punishment"
"Oh, say"
But I have, because-because ]
didn't love him. 1 didn't love him at
all, and knew 1t, even though l meant
TO marry him. ="
But, why-in Heavens nameT
Because / was so lonely and . .
misunderstood and unhappy at home
No mother, never daring to see my
sister (she ran away, too) my
friendships at school discouraged
nothing in life but my father to bully
me and make cruel fun of me because
I'm not pretty. That's why
ran away with a man 1 didn't love
because wanted freedom and a little
happiness"
Good Lord !" he murmured beneath
his breath, awed by the pitiful, childish
simplicity of her confession and the
deep damnation that had waited upor
her.
$50 it's over !" she cried-"over, anC
I've learned my lesson, and I'm dis
graced forever, and friendless and
"Stop right therel" he checked hel
roughly. You're not friendless yet
and that nullif1es all the rest. B,
glad you've had your romance ant
learned your lesson"
please don't think I'm not grateful
for your Kindness" she interrupted
But the disgrace-that can't be blot
ted out !"
''Oh, yes. 1t can" he insisted bluntly
There's a way 1 know"
A glimmering of that way had onl.
that instant let little light in upol
the darkness of his solicitous distress
for her. He rose and began to wall
and think, hands clasped behind him
trying to make what he had in min,
seem right and reasonable.
"You mean beg my father to TAX
me back. I'll die first u
There mustn't be any more talk
or even any thought, of anything lik
that / understand too well to ask tn
impossible of you. But there is on
way out-a perfectly right way
you're willing and brave enough t
take q chance-a long chance"
Somehow she seemed to gain hop
of his tone. She sat up, following hiI