The Washington times., 1918-12-01
Continued from Preceding PdgeJ

SJralght before her across the pay.
Madness, yes, if you like. But it is not
a madness that can be cured by silence
or by apathy. Perhaps you do not read
the future as l do. Who will stop the
Germans if France and England don't?"
'aThe Atlantic, my dear"
"Ah, Alan, don't you see that that
shouldn't make any difference? It's a
question of principle. You. miss that
Why, God knows" she said bitterly, "un-
less you want to miss it,
81 never borrow trouble, Connie
81 know" she replied quickly. I'm
sorry. It might have helped you"
He didn't understand her words. but he
couldn't mistake the tones of her voice,
which were quite dull and hopeless. and
had in them the same note of finality that
he had heard indoors. There was long
silence. And then:
"Of course, you don't mind leaving me.
II will be no use at all without you"
Some lingering echo of the tenderness
she had always felt for him prompted her
impulsively to give him another chance.
"You could go, too, Alan. There is
mems work to do-working with the Red
Cross, driving an ambulance, or fightingi"
He Strengthened in his chair suddenly.
"Oh, couldn't do that I wouldn't do,
you know"
why not?" shortly.
"Oh, couldn't do anything I'd make
q mess of 1t. And, besides"- he paused.
go on" she said.
"Well-oh, hang it all, Connie!"
= He rose impatiently and walked up and
down. "T don't believe in the thing
What's the use? Why can't they leave
the world be? Everything's all right We
don't have to go mad because Europe
does. We haven't anything to do with It
l can't see why you
"Well, then, Alan, I'll tell you" She had
risen, too. and faced him at the terrace
wall. She spoke quietly, without heat
but there was a deadly earnestness under
lying what she said. "Pm going over
there because I'm one of those who can
go-because I'm young, strong, wealthy,
without ties"-
He gasped at that, but she didn't even
notice him.
Because can't sit here and live a life
OF ease and idleness when a nation is
fighting my battle for me-because have
enough Of the devil in me to hate the
abomination that stretches its filthy hand
across Europe to grasp, to enslave Be-
cause have, thank God, enough heart to
know what suffering means - enough
money to try to help that suffering and
willingness ITO make my bare hands do
what money won't These are nv reasons
denly, as she realized that every word she
had uttered was an Indictment Of Alan
Jessup. Then turned away, leaning over
the wall and lingering blossom on the
vine.
Alan Jessup tried to -peak. failed, and
then the words coming diffidently.
mo ties, Connie!" he muttered. you
mean
'What say, Alan" she said gently.
"That THAT you
He stopped helplessly. But the very
gentleness of her tone seemed to give it
an added purpose.
Eyes. That is what mean, Alan. You
and L It is over. I don't want to be un-
kind. 1 want to save myself and you from
disaster in years to come. We wouldn't
get along. Alan. Perhaps it's my fault, but
I can't change my way of thinking about
things. And you-you've got the right to
live your life in your own way
live disappointed you!"
She Strengthened and gave him her hand.
what is the use Of explaining. It
would only be painful to us both"
There doesn't seem to be anything to
exrlaiT." he said quietly. 81 think / under
stand"
"Alan," she said after moment "try
not to think too hardly of me. don't
want you to believe that I'm acting on i'm
Just recently-affected all my standards OF
Judgment of life. The things that you and
I might have agreed on a year ago have
lost Importance And the important things
to me, the only issues that are worth
WHILE don't impress you at ALL"
She stopped suddenly. aware that her
thoughts were leading her into the very
sentiments she had planned to avoid.
There was a long silence, and then:
I'm an awful rotter." he muttered.
NO" she corrected, you're not. You're
precisely what you-what you've always
been. II is who am to blame"
''No, not you. But II haven't under
stood before. Curious"
Slowly she withdrew her hand and
turned away.
ALAN. I'm going away very soon-next
week. I've decided. But want us to part
as friends"
"Of course. You know that
And II think" she forced herself bit
.terly. 81 think for the present we had bet
ter not meet again."
"Of course, Connie" he said with diff
GUILTY. "as you please"
Good night. Alan. I'm very tired
Do you mind?"
He took her hand again and kissed it
gently.
Good night Connie" he whispered
Sorry I'm such a rotter"
"Don't-but try. Alan-try to live-to
Iive"-
81 wish could"
He saw her lean toward him, felt her
lips lightly brush his forehead, heard her
whisper a gentle God bless you," and
then she was gone.
CHAPTER Ill.