Connecticut western news., 1918-04-04

few minutes.
 "By the way, is there any truth in the statement that this Free Gold row has created trouble between you and your husband?" Vesta asked abruptly. II dare say it's quite an impertinent question, and you'd be well within your rights to tell me it's none of my business. But I should like to con- found some of these petty tattlers. l haven't been home forty-eight hours :; yet I've heard tongues wagging. hoope there's nothing in it. l warned MT. Wagstaff against Paul."
 "Warned him? Why?" Hazel neg lected the question entirely. The blunt ness of 1t took her by surprise. Frank speech was not a characteristic of Vesta LOrimer's set.
 The girl shrugged her shoulders.
 He is my brother, but that doesn't veil my eyes," she said coolly. "Paul Is too crooked to lie straight in bed. I'm glad MT. Wagstaff brought the lot of them up with round turn-which he seems to have done. If he had used a club instead of his fists 1t would have been only their deserts. I suppose the fuss quite upset you?"
 Tt did," Hazel admitted grudgingly. Tt did more than upset me-"
 q thought as much," Vesta said slowly. Tt made you inflict an lnde- served hurt on a man who should have had better treatment at your hands; not only because he loves you, but be- cause he is one of the few men who deserve the best that you or any wom- an can give"
 : "You've said quite enough" Hazel cried. eff you have any more insults, please get rid of them elsewhere. I think you are"
 "Oh, I don't care what you think of me-" the girl interrupted recklessly. If did I wouldn't be here. I'd hide behind the conventional rules of the game and let you blunder along. But l can't I'm not gifted with your blind egotism. Whatever you are, that Bill of yours loves you, and if you care anything for him, you should be with him. I would, if I were lucky enough to stand in your shoes. I'd go with him down into hell itself gladly if he wanted me toi"
 "Oh" Hazel gasped. "Are you clean madT
 Shocked to death, aren't youw Yesta f1eered. "You can't understand, can you? I love him-yes. I'm not ashamed to oWn it., I'm no sentimen- tai prude to l-.row up my hands in hor- TOT at a perfectly natural emotion. But he is not for me. l dare say l couldn't give him an added heartbeat if I tried. And have little too much pride-strange as it may seem to you to try, so long as he Is chained hand and foot to your chariot. But you're making him suffer. And care enough to want him to live all his days hap oily. He is a man, and there are so few of them, real men. If yc1 can make him happy, I'd compel you to do so, if I had the power. You couldn't understand that kind of love. Oh, could choke you for your stupid dis loyalty. I could do almost anything that would spur you to action. I can't
  mood he is in. There are so few of his kind, the patient, strong, loyal, square dealing men, with a wOInan's tender ness and lions courage. Any woman should be proud and glad to be his mate, to mother his children. And you-'
 She threw out her hands with a sud- den, despairing gesture. The blue eyes grew misty, and she hid her face in her palms. Before that passionate outburst Hazel sat dumbly amazed, staring, uncertain. In second Vesta. lifted her head defantly.
 'T had no notion of breaking out like this when l came up" she said quiet ly, q was going to be very adroit. I intended to give you friendly boost along the right road, if I could. But it has all been bubbling inside me for long time. You perhaps think 1t very unwomanly-but don't care much what you think. My little heartache is incidental, one of the things life deals us whether we will or not. But if you care in the least for your hus- band, for Gods sake make some eff fort. some sacrifice of your own petty little desires, to make his road little pleasanter, a little less gray than it. must be now. You'll be well repaid if you are the kind that must always be paid in full. Don't be stiff-necked idiot That's all I wanted to say. Goodby!"
 She was at the door when she fin ished. The click of the closing catch stirred Hazel to speech and action.
 "Vesta, Vesta!' she cried, and ran out into the corridor.
 But Vesta Lorimer neither needed nor halted. And Hazel went back to her room, quivering. Sometimes the truth is bitter and stirs to wrath. And mingled with other emotions was a