The Lamar register., 1919-03-05
Copyright by ChaA soribnsr's Soma


'Oh, yes, you had," she went on
smoothly. "In the other llfe,' as you
call It, you would have been quite
willing to marry woman who could
assure you firm social standing and
money enough TO put you on footing
with other men of your capabilities.
You wouldn't be willing to do that
now. would you2-leaving the senti-
ment out as you used to leave II out
then?"
"No, 1 hardly think I should"
Her laugh was musically low and
sweet, and only mildly derisive.
you are thinking that It is change
OF environment, wider horizons, and
nil that, which has changed you. Mon
tague; but l know better. II is a
woman, and. as you may remember, I
have met her-twice." Then, with
faint glow of spiteful fire In the
magnificent eyes "How can you make
yourself believe that she is pretty?"
He shrugged one shoulder in token
of the utter uselessness of discussion
In that direction.
"SentimentT he Queried. II think
we needn't go into that, Mt this late
day, verda. 1t is field that neither
of us entered, or cared to enter. in
the days that are gone. If I say that
Corona Baldwin has-Quite uncon-
sciously on her part, I must ask you
to believe - taught me what love
means, that ought to be enough"
Again she was laughing softly.
"You seem to have broadly forgot
ten the old proverb about a woman
scorned. What have you to expect
from me after making such an admis-
sion as that?"
Smith pulled himself together and
stood the argument firmly upon its
unquestionable footing.
Let us put all these indirections
aside and be for the moment merely
n man and woman. as God made us.
Verda," he said soberly. "You know,
and know. that there was never any
question OF love involved In our rela-
tlons past and gone. We might have
married, but In that case neither of us
would have got or exacted any
thing more than the conventional de-
cencies and amenities. We mustn't
try to make believe at this late day.
You had no Illusions about me when
was WatrOus Dunham's hired man I;
you haven't any Illusions about me
now"
"Perhaps not" was the calm rejoin-
der. And yet today / have lied to
save you from those who are trying
TO crush you"
II told you not TO do that" he re-
Joined quickly.
81 know you did; and yet. when you
went away this morning you knew
perfectly well that was going TO do
It II ! should get the opportunity.
Didn't you. MontagueT'
He nodded slowly; common honesty
demanded that much.
''Very well; you accepted the serv-
Ice, and I gave II freely. Mr.. Kinzie
believes now that you are another
Smith-not the one who ran away
from Lawrenceville last May. Tell
me: would the other woman have done
as much If the chance had fallen to
herr
1t was on the tip of his tongue to
say, 81 hope not" but he did not say
It. Instead, he said: But you don't
really care. Verda; in the way you are
trying to make me believe you do"
POSSIBLY not; possibly 1 am wholly
selfish In the matter and am only look
ing for some loophole Of escape"
Escape? From whomi"
She looked away and shook her
head. "From Watrous Durham, lei
us say. You didn't suspect that, did
you? 1t is So nevertheless. My ia
ther desires IT; and 1 suppose Watrous
Dunham would like to have my money
you know l have something in my
own right. Perhaps this may help tc
account for some other things-foi
your trouble, for one. You were In
his way, you see. But never mind
that: there are other matters to bs
considered now. Though Mr.. KiAzie
has been put of the track. Mr.. Stan
ton hasn't. l have earned Mr.. Stan
toms ill-will because / wouldn't tell
him about you, and this evening, at
table, he took It out on me-"
TN what wayT
He gave me to understand, very
&tat ha baA Hapa a0rr afbin n Z