South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-11

during The seconds following her an
nounccment:
You need not worry. Lillian" 1 +
said sobcrly Il shall not see him" /
Her face cleared as if by magic I
As 1 passed her on my way to the I
telephone she swung ne around and |
kissed me warmly.
Much better so, dear girl" was
her only comment, but the whispered /
approval fortified me for the diff I
cult few moments 1 saw in front OF
me.
Tor I had a vivid recollection of
the last time / nau --Cl- %
land. Of the midnight walk through
the wild rose-scenJed woodland path, /
which my enforced trip along the
pipe line" had compelled me TO
take with him, and of the dramatic,
almost imprisoned farewell he had
uttered just before we came under
the lights Of the little country sta
zion 1 fancied 1 could feel yet the
burning touch of his lips upon my
hands. could hear his deep tones
telling me that ne must see me once
more before he left TOR the other
side
swept by the power of his emo
ton, and an answering one IN my
own soul which I didn't dare probe,
had given him Lillian's address.
had tacitly consented 10 the fare
well interview he evidently wished
common sense and duty Illuminating
the inmost recesses of my soul.
realized that / must go back upon
my word. must deny this man who
had dared and had done so much
Cor me, the thing ne had asked
The telephone receiver wavered in
my unsteady fingers, and my shak-
! ing knees were glad of the chair by
the side OF Lillian's pretty telephone
stand, but fortunately I was able to
control my voice. and I flatter my
self not d tremOr marred the tones
| With which I greeted him.
/ capt. Crantland?"
Mrs. Graham" he instantly re-
| sponded. and the deep tones of his
voice were anything but calm. And
then for long instant that seemed
an hour there was silence.
! ] guessed that he was endeavoring
/ to find words for something he
wished to say, and for my own part
could not nave uttered a sound.
And yet / realized with a little
| throb Of gratitude that my nervous
! tension was due only To the diStaste
! / naturally felt TO breaking my wore
! and wounding the Sensibuities of
man to whom 1 was so indebted.
/ Inc glamour which had surrounded
my nero worship of the gallant army
officer was gone. withered by the
hot blast of my jealousy of my hus-
! band and Edith Fairfax.
Il - find - that - il - will -
/ be impossible 49, for - me -
/ TO - come - to - see - you - be
fore - - 60" he said at last with
little pauses between the words. y
regret this exceedingly. but unfortu-
Iatciy I am called away sooner than
Z expected. There is a favor / wish
10 ask of you, however May y"
"Of course, Capt Grantland," [
returned as smoothly as 1 could.
provided it is anything in my power
10 grant"
1t is entirely within your power"
he said. Upon several occasions 1
have gathered not from anything
you have consciously said, but other
wise, that YOU are cherishing in your
soul a rather harsh judgment of the
one nearest to you. If / have any
claim upon your forbearance, as you
have assured me. L want to ask you
To withhold that judgment until you
are sure it is deserved.
What Did lite Mean
) l am sure I gasped audibly-at
any rate Capt. Grantland went on as
III l had answered him in words.
! Il know 1 have surprised you" he
said. know also shat ] am perhaps
/ objectionable for thus meddling.
, Rut your - welfare - your -
, happiness - is of - great -
moment - 10 - me, and [ could
not refrain from saying this TO you.
And now 7 must not delay another
minute. Good-by, and-God bless
, you!"
The receiver clicked at the other
! end, but I sat with mine in my
3 hand dumbiy until recalled by the
voice Of the central operator inquir-
ing II / had finished Mechanically
r / put 1t up, mechanically L made
r my way back TO the library.
What in the world did the man
mean?