Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

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she asked, shaking hands.
Going up to New, York" he said
hastily.
But wasn't that Mrs. Forester"
she said, glancing up the platform at
the little figure seeking the obscurity.
That? No, indeed" he said read
lily.
Are you alone, Monte?" she asked
abruptly.
Absolutely Let me take your
things"
John will attend to them" she
said, surrendering her bag to the
footman who came up.
They stood a moment, awkwardly.
Are you going to New York;
she repeated slowly.
why, yes. Is there anything sur
prising in that?" he said with a
forced laugh.
The light was on his face and her
glance hung on his eyes. He did not
dare to turn away. ..-.
She hesitated, took a step, and he
breathed freer. All at once she
turned and took his arm.
Il want to talk to you" she said
quietly. Walk up the platform with
me-"
He stood without moving,
Il had rather not"
"Why%
Il cahnot tell you"
what | have to say is to be said
to Mrs. Forester ALSO" she said
with decision. "Come."
Amy was at the foot of a great
telegraph pole as they came up. She
did not turn at the sound of their
steps but put her head down and
swayed against the fence. So abject
a picture of modification and shame
was she that Mrs. Bracken in pity
hesitated a minute. Then she went
to her and threw her arm around her
shoulder
1T is |, Amy"
ooh, go away, please go away!
she said desperately.
Il think God has directed me to
you," said Mrs. Bracken solemnly.
Amy Forester raised her head
and turned slowly, Indignantly.
why, what do you mean?" she
asked, starting back.
1T is quite evident what you are
doing"
You are making a mistake" she
cried, cut to the quick. Il have left
my husbands house with his know
ledge and consent"
Then you should do it alone, and
not in this mad public way"
Mrs. Bracken, you have no right
to judge me-"
THE way you resented what you
thought | might have thought ought
to open your eyes," she answered,
without yielding. And if you care
nothing for your own reputation"
she hesitated. This means, of course
that you are going to marry Monte"
They stood family in the obscur-
ity, straining their eyes-like three
white shadows.
THAT is, of course, what it
means" she said.
"Then, Amy dear, if you are TAX
ing his name, you should protect it
as though it were your own"
oh. don't-don't try to stop me
now~ The cry was wrung from her.
All the long days of elaboration and
soul-anguish were useless now-if
the thing had to be again delayed,
if she must pass through another day
of doubt.
Claire took her hand in hers, bend
ing toward her like a mother to
seek the truth in the face of way
ward child.
You child, do you know what you
are doing-are you capable OF
knowing? You want to be free-but
do you want to face all the ugly
stories that will spring up now?"
"Oh, you don't understand!
must do one thing or the other-and
do it nowl l can't fight it all over
again. want to be honest with my
self-and with himl' she cried bit
terly.
with Monte? Then don't you see
that you are sacrificing him?" said
claire firmly, as Monte began to
protest.
Amy had not meant that. 1t struck
her as tragically grotesque that
Monte should have taken it to him.
self. She had been thinking of her
husband, the shadow that was al
her side, blending with her shadow
Il say, Claire, you've no right tc
say that"
."You know I'm telling the truth
whether you'll admit to her or not,
she swept on. you are gentleman
born and bred, whatever you may
have done, and you don't wish YOU
name and the name of your wife
dragged into every filthy sheetW
Mrs. Brackenl Mrs. BrackenP
well, do your" said Claire, fac.
ing Monte.
Down the track came the warning
whistle of the arriving train.
The papers-the scandal writer
large-the ugly innuendoes-she hat
never thought of that,never once haC
it occurred to her that beyond to
night was tomorrow, with its dis
tortion of big things and small.
But l can't go backp she said ii
last weak pfotest. IF l don't 81
now-Tll never go" she said, look
ing at the man.
you needn't return to your hus
band. Leave that to me-" said Clair
deeisively. Tonight you stay at m!
house. Tomorrow we'll see. Monte
you must go up to New York-ant
take care to be seen"
The train was now in sight. Witt
a sudden obstinate squaring of hi
shoulders he turned to Amy.
Amy, this is between you and me
What do you say?"
/ They waited for her decision, Their
in the faint obscurity of the platform
/ in the nrecious dwindling seconds