Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-22
CHAPTER xI.-(oontinued.,

carried a parlor car. and it happened
on this particular day to be almost de-
serted save for a deaf old man with a
ford complexion and a gold knobbed
cane who slumbered audibly at the
further end from the two chairs Cor
don selected. He established his con-
panion comfortably. disposed Of the
paid no heed to him. With a sad. set
face. she stared out of the window,
her eyes seeming to see nothing. For
two hours she sat So, he making re-
marks occasionally to which she made
little or no reply. until he lapsed into
silence. looking at her with troubled
eyes. Finally, just as they neared the
outskirts of Pittsburgh. he leaned
softly forward and touched her coat
sleeve. to attract her attention.
Have I Observation-Disclosures in
any way?" he asked gently. She turn
ed toward him, and her eyes yere
trimming full of tears.
NO" she said, and her lips were
trembling. NO, you have been
get those letters." She ended With a
sob and put UP her handkerchief
quickly to stife it.
"Letters?" he asked h~elplessly.
What letters?"
THE letters you wrote me. All the
letters of the last five months. l can
not forget them. l a never forget
could?"
He looked at her a%nxiously, not
knowing what to say, and yet he must
say something. The time had come
when some kind Of an understanding,
some clearing up of facts, must take
place. He u go cautiously. but he
must find out what was the matter.
He could not see her suffer SO. There
must be some way to let her know
that so far as he was concerned she
need suffer nothing further and that
he would do all in his power to set her
right with her world.
But letters! He had written no let
ters. His face lighted up with the
swift certainty Of O thing = about
which he had not dared to be sure.
She still thought him the man she
had intended to marry. Sc was not
therefore troubled about that phase
most unbelievable, but it was true
that he personally was not responsible
Tor the trouble in her eyes. What
trouble she might feel when she knew
all. he had yet to find out. but it was a
great relief to be sure Of SO much.
Still. something must be said.
Letters" he repeated again
stupidity, and then added With perplex-
ed tone: Would you mind telling
me just what it vas in the letters that
hurt you?"
She turned eyes of a%stonishment on
him.
How Ear you ask?" she said al
most bitterly. You surely mus
know how terrible they were to me!
You could not be the man you have
seemed to be today if O did not
know what you were doing to me in
making all those terrible threats. You
must know how cruel they were"
|, Il am afraid I don't understand
ne said earnestly. the trouble still
most apparent in his eyes. would
you mind being a little more explicit I!
would you mind telling me exactly
what o think I wrote you thai
sounded like a threat?"
He X the question half hesitat.
tngly. because he was not quite sure
whether he was justified in thus oh.
tanning private information under
false pretenses, and yet he felt tina,
he must know just what troubled hel
or he could help her: and h.
was sure tina If she knew he was al
utter stranger, even a kindly one
HAC9S kSAelc 11pS WOu1u never open u
inform him upon her t~orturer. AS i
was she could tell him her troubl,
with a perfectly clear conscience
thinking h was telling it to the mar
who knew all about it. But his hest
tation about prying into an ute
strangers private affairs even with
good motive, gave him an air of trou
bied dignity. and real anxiety to know
his fault that puzzled the girl NOR,
than all that had gone before.
II cannot understand how you cal
ask such a question. since 1t has bee,
the constant subject Of discussion ii
all our letters!' she replied. sitting u,
with asperity and drying her tears
She was on the verge Of CROWN,
angry with him for his petty, wilfu
misunderstanding Of words who's,
meaning she felt he must know well
II do ask it," he said quietly, "and
doing So"
She looked at him in surprise. I
was impossible to be angry with thos,
kindly eyes. even though he did per
stst IN a wilful stupidity.