The Washington times., 1918-06-16

cred herself; she chatted gaily, was
merely amused when Mt. Carver would
have been sentimental. and would not let
him get near her Her one reference to
what had happened was as the cab neared
her own door, She said, "YOu know what
you did when had fallen asleep. Never
try to do It again. And never speak TO
Of It to me- couldn't forgive It twice,
you know. Tonight Pve-I made some
allowance for-well, here we are. must
get out"
She was not troubled about Mr.. Carter.
She had told him that she was asleep. and
had implied that he was under the in
fiueDce Of wine. She felt that she could
always manage Mr.. Carver.
But what about Teddy? He must never
never know. Il was one, little slip, one
moment OF madness, and II would never
happen again. 1t would be wicked to let
Teddy know and to make him wretched.
On the other hand, II she did not tell
him, how was she to quiet the voice Of
conscience? What became Of their mu-
tual confidence? She felt that she could
never be happy again until she had. told
all and been forgiven.
She took the thing tragieally. She saw
the whole Of her own happiness and
Teddy's happiness ruined by that one
moment Of madness and the future OF the
little boys seriously imperilled. She was
Just wondering who. in the event Of a
separation. would have the custody OF the
children, when she heard the sound Of
Teddy's hanson as it stopped at the door.
What on earth was she to do? She
could never face him. She would Just
burst into tears and tell him everything.
But she found herself quite unable to
carry out this decision. Teddy looked so
cheerful. He talked more than usual
How had she liked IT? rare good din
ner, IL seemed to him. And she had been
by far the prettiest woman there. He
had felt proud Of her.
She smiled sadly, and said that he was
prejudiced. 'And how did you get on
with Miss Holmes?''
"Oh, all right. The trouble with her Is
that she's rather affected, and afectation
is Just one Of those things that / can't
stand"
II only for one moment he would take
his eyes OF. her. She felt distraught She
hardly knew what she was saying. She
observed that sparkling Burgundy seemed
rather a heady wine. He hastened 70
agree with her.
81 didn't take much OF it, To tell the
truth, it's not a wine I ever met before,
and the taste seemed to me rather funny
I'd sooner have a whiskyand-soda any
day"
Have one now. Do. Why not? III
run up to bed because I'm so tired dare
say l shall be asleep by the time you
come"
"Oh. I shan't be long, said Teddy and
Dora managed to get out Of the room with
out being kissed.
The moment she had gone Teddy's
cheerfulness vanished. He mixed himself
a very stiff whisky-and-soda, and slipped
gloomily. staring at the dead cigarette be-
tween his fingers.
Dora painted as she undressed Tragedy
seemed to be choking her She hurried
into bed. When Teddy came up she pre-
tended to be asleep. but she got little
sleep that night
Two days had passed and Dora had not
spoken. There we're dark lines under her
eyes, and she seldom smiled Teddy. al
ways kind, had been kinder to her than
ever. He said complimentary things to
her. Every evening he brought her fruit
from the city, because she liked fruit; II
was expensive fruit too. And every kind0
word or act seemed to cut her heart like
a knife. She felt so unworthy Of deVO-
tiOn. The position was unendurable, and
on the third morning as they rose frOm
1t there and then-to tell him everything
and throw herself on his mercy
Il want to speak to you for a minute
before you go to the city" she said. "Will
you come into the drawing room?"
VERY WELL" said Teddy
In the drawing room she found that she
was shaking all over and had to sit down.
She was thinking how she would begin,
when she heard hollow voice say Wait
You need say nothing" It was Teddys
voice.
What do you mean?" she asked in a
choked whisper
do you think / haven't SEEM" said
Teddy. almost fiercely "You guessed II
somehow when l came into the house that
night. / suppose a bad conscience gives
itself away. l thought you knew when
you asked me how / got on with Miss
Holmes. These last two days you've been
upset. You've not been yourself. And
that, Of course, made me certain YOU
knew. Only let me tell you how l came
to do it."
Yes" said Dora. with great seIf-pos-
session, tell me that"
Well she was talking about the lone
illness of her life. It was as much pity as
anything. And the cab was going down a
dark street at the time. Mind, / only
kissed her once. And the moment I did
it II was ashamed of myself You don't
know what I've been through"
Dora thought she did, but she said o.
nothing.
Il swear that I care for no woman in
the world but you, Dora. I'm awfully
sorry I've hurt you like this. Can you
ever forgive me?"
Dora rose, and placed both hands on his
shoulders. Gould you have forgiven me-"
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