Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-26

joyed the modification and the
shame of our meeting like that-be'
ing Inundated before others"
What do you object tot"
Il object to deceit-to under
hand methods, to a woman who
pretends to be my friend in publieP
she flashed out.
"Oh, that's it," he said thought.
fully. you, of course, don't OBJ
ject to my friendship with anothei
woman"
Friendship she exclaimed
angrily. "You needn't tell me it's
just friendship. You're not that
kind. If you see q woman like
Irma, it's because you're interested
really interested. You are not a
society hanger-on, indulging in light
fiirtations."
Thank you for the distinction"
mo; you care, and you care !
great deall" she rushed on. She fell
that she was showing her worst side
but she could no longer restrain
the passion of wounded vanity, jeal-
ousy, and anger which famed up
well, at least let's know where we
stand How long has this been 60
ing onf"
Il don't intend to discuss this"
he said again.
"But l do intend" she cried.
Cant you see in what q mortify-
ing, humiliating position you have
placed mel"
II quite understand that you re-
sent being Inundated" he assented.
Then he said gently, Unfortunately,
you made the decision" d..
81" r..
"You know what / mean"
"Good heavens, you are not going
to drag in that poor fool of Tody
DawsonP she cried, every nerve on
edge.
II am simply recalling to your
mind" he said. in the businesslike
preciseness that she hated, "that /
was once as sensitive to being hui
inflated as you are now. You speak
of appearances. According to ap-
pearances, my servants had heard
a man tell me a lie in my own
house. They were free to draw any
conclusions they pleased. That was
appearances, l believe"
This can't go onW she said
abruptly, her head in a whirl. AN
drew we can't 90 on like this"
Probably not"
She left him and walked to the
window, flung it open, and closed it
again.
Listen, Andrew" she said, in an
other tone; 'let's call quits, Let's
begin all over again. This sort Of
life means nothing to me, / am
willing to give up seeing any man
you object to-all men if you ask
it,"
Even Monte Bracken," he said
instantly. H.
Even Monte Bracken."
"If l give up seeing Irma."
THAT is, of course, the condi-
ton. Will you start fair? Begin
anew"
He was silent, looking at her such
long moment that she grew res
tive under the stern glance.
at isn't any real repentance. It
isn't any real love of me-" he said
to himself. 1T is just wounded
vanity. She will sacrifice anyone
or anything to revenge herself ON
the other women. That is it."
"Well" she said impatiently.
He shook his head.
''Whatl / offer all this and you
refused"
Il refuse"
why"
Because Irma Dellabarre's friend
ship means a great deal to me III my
life and | don't in the least intend
to give it up"
"Ah, there now we have it" she
cried. why 60 on pretending,
You know you are in love with Irma
DelIabarre and you believe she is
with you'll I knew it, / knew it"
Amy, / have already said to you,
he began, without anger, that
did not intend to discuss Mrs. Della
barre, and ] won't. Furthermore,
do not recognize that l owe you
any explanations for my conduct OF
the reasons for my friendship"
Il don't admit that" she cried.
"You will have to admit that,
he took up in the same quiet tone
because you are the one who has
brought this situation about"
ZIP" she cried in protest, for
strange to say, she had not the
slightest conception Of her own re-
sponsibility.
"You. l prefer not to go into re.
ordinations and complaints. 1t is