Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-19
! The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
A DECLARATION OF LOVE
CHAPTER CvIII.

Haven I you heard that singer sci
dom has good speaking voieel" again
tried to put at least naturalness into
my voice.
eyes, but it does not apply in your
ease. May make a guess9"
Gas to WHAT"
"It was Julia Collins whose voice
was praised. Am l rightg"
eyes. l could not deny it if would
1t is too patent" 1 could not help
glaneing across the rvsni SIhere George
was bending over the "lovely Julia. -
And really she has a wonderful voice.
think | never have heard a more musi-
eel one.''
You are very generous. Helen"
he stopped a moment, then in low, in
tense voice he went on, 81 love you"
His quiet earnestness was very convinc-
ting. "Will yOu-dO you care for me ?
may be rotter to tell you this; to
ask you to care for me. But will you be
kind and if you are unhappy with How
ard-let me make you happy9"
"Oh, Mr.. Gray!" commenced, then
1 stopped. had perhaps given him Eea-
son to say things to me; things to which
l had no right to listen. But-what
kind of things was George saying to
Julia COllins2 His attitude had been
that of lover all the evening.
Playing With Fire.
That l was deliberately playing with
fire, and that I might be burned never
entered my head. That when gave
room to the thought that Georges ae-
tions excused anything l might do /
was on dangerous ground did not oe-
cur to me. Strangely enough 1 did not
resent what Merton had said, save that
| resented the fact that George by his
neglect had given him the opportunity.
"You like me, l know it', he went
ON in the same quiet, convincing tones
" You have shown plainly that you do.
1t is but step, dear, from liking to
lowing will be very good to you,
he waited.
"Oh, | am so sorryl I never thought
you cared that wayl" then 1 flushed
crimson as [ remembered Evelyn IS dec
laration that he was madly in love with
me.
II know. You are loyal little soul. |
But why not take your happiness now
while you are young9 Why wait until !
you are all worn out with the struggled |
You look so unhappy tonight. It breaks
my heart"
l wonder if anyone can conceive
how such sympathetic talk appealed to
mea My heart was sore and sick, I had |
been morbidly unhappy for days. That
he, popular, handsome, talented, should |
be heartbroken because of me seemed
almost impossible, at the same time it
healed my hurt. Had l given up to my
emotions | should have thrown myself
into his arms and said:
"Take me. No one else wants me-"
Tt is perhaps fortunate that we were
where such course was impossible.
No matter how unhappy 1 was con-
ventions had to be respected. think
Merton read what was going on in my
mind. He rose and stood before me.
81 must leave you. 1t won I do for me
to monopolize you. will see you tomor-
row afternoon. Unit. then remember,
dear, that I love you, that | want you;
and that I will make you happy if it
is in the power of man to do So" Then
without word he moved away just as
Madge Loring called out:
"You should be ashamed to be so
greedy. Mr.. Gray hasn't spoke to me
this evening"
81 will not only speak, but dance
with you now, if you will honor me-"
he said drawing her hand through his
arm.
| was so thankful l did not have to
speak. l knew he had acted as he had
TO save me the necessity. How Won
1rously kind and thoughtful he was.
How could help caring for him7
On the way home George talked very
little. / was too busy with my thoughts
TO resent it as usually did He asked
ne if l had enjoyed myself.
Fairly well, " had replied.
81 felt bit bored myself" he re-
.urned.
I started to say that he had not AC-
FED bored, but bit my lip and kept
still. I had no right to say anything to-
him. Had | not just listened to dec
aration of love from Merton Gray.
went Immediately to bed, pleading
WEAKNESS. George read as he always did
40 matter how late it was. But although
left him to go to bed, l did not sleep.
Merton was coming tomorrow to again
ell me he cared for me, to urge me
20 go away with i'm. What should l
ell himl How could 1 decided / closed
NY eyes when George came up and pre-
ended to be asleep, but lay awake the
'ntiEe night trying to think what to do.
should l take my happiness where I
'ound it--or thought had found it; or
hould go on living as now vast To
morrow would soon be here and 1 must
lave an answer ready. SO thought as
lay staring up at the ceiling.
(Tomorrow-A Momentous Decision)