Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-05
The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
: 4 4 + = \ = y = = = = i !
MERTON GRAY's PLEA.
CHAPTER XCvL.

I continued to see Merton. Why
should deny myself the pleasure Ais
society gave me, if George didn u earel
1t was tn old story of a girl marrying
man who gave her less of himself
than she thought she had right to ex-
pect. 1t semed to me that l had given
all of myself, my love, and had Nreeeiv-
ed very little in return.
l suppose many girls would have been
satisfied with the material things
George gave me-that they would have
considered the lovely home, the beauti-
full clothes, the outings, ets., enough
Unfortunately, | was not like this.
There had been so much of tenderness
in my own home. Dad and the boys
were so devoted to Mother-so consider
| was i'll fitted to make ex-
cuses for the lack of this in my own
life. So, when Merton seemed to enter
into my feelings, to give me the under
which George denied me, | SIM
ply accepted it as my right, never think
ing.
" Helen, I can keep still no longer,
You are unhappy, dear. Let me try to
make you happy!" he said to me, one
day, as we walked on the beach. | had
been crying over Georges neglect, and
he had asked the cause. l did not tell
him in so many words, but he shrewdly |
guessed, and taxed me with it.
An Uncertain Moment.
"You care for me, don't you,
Helen?" he went on.
"Of course l like you" l said care
essly.
"You know that ism It what [ mean. !
love you, Helen. l think l have from
,he very first. can t endure to see you
unhappy. Had you been happy and con
| not seen and sensed your
iced of love and companionship-I
would have kept still; but what is life
without love9 Tell me that you love
mel" he urged.
"Oh, don 't-Merton.
you must, Helen. Do tell me, DEAR"
Really, Merton, do not know" |
distressed. 81 like to be with
'on, l enjoy your society better than
hat of any man / ever have met. You
ce, | am honest. But do not feel hurt
md unhappy when l do not see you, as
do when George leaves me, and"
That is unnatural in one so young
IS you. You feel you have a right to
lain his time, his attention. If you
we're mine, l venture to say you would
eel just the same.'
Don t say any more, please" l beg
ed. And he promised. For the remand
+ of our walk, we chatted upon indif-
erent subjects. When we neared home
frs. Sexton joined us, so preventing
ccurrence to the subject when Merton
ook his leave.
"Has Merton been making love to
ou?" she asked, but in a way to give
o offense.
"Why do you ask?"
81 know the signs, my dear. Don It
It him do it, He is dangerousl"
Dangerous! What do you mean9"
@ He is fascinating man, talented
IAN, a popular man. Most girls would
c flattered by his attentions to the
xtent of being foolish. | hope you are /,
OF one of that sort. In fact, am sure .
on are not.
After she left me, l wondered if / ..
'ere Gone of that sort" and if Mrs. ,,
exton was not mistaken in her thought
t me.
Moving On.
The next morning, at breakfast, !.
gorge said:
How would you like to move on,
ellen! Have you had enough of New
ort?''
"Where would you go9" I asked, !.
yading the question.
''To Bar Harbor for a few days. {
link you will enjoy it there. 1 shall !,
G able to be with you more. | am not i
! well acquainted with the crowd up J
lere, as | am here; they don :. leave
fellow alone a minute" 4
| could have laughed aloud. AS if any,
ling ON earth could make George go
lywhere he didn t want tol But only
i'd:
IF it viii be as you say, let us go
once. am tired vi depending on
hers when l want an escort. 1t will
, delightful to have my own husband. " l
He looked at me in peculiar man
n, but made no remark, When we :
'ose from the table, however, he said:
You better let Celeste commence y
leking. l think will go Saturday,"
As it was Thursday, it would give
J ittLe time.
After he left, wondered if Merton y
rays attentions had had anything to a
} with his decision to leave Newport. =
had enjoyed myself in way-the
'velty, the gayety; but / had tired of -
very quickly, and then my loneliness = =
I'd reasserted itself. / had not been y
all clever, and ! realized it. l had
aged into Julia Collins hand, instead y
using the weapons Mrs. Sexton had
ught me to use. Would / ever Learnt
Friday we went bathing, in the early :
orning, for the last time. | swan way q
1t, then suddenly became eramped. / =
led 20 attract Georges attention, but .
lied. l was sinking. Drowning.
When Love Assert
I