The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-12
The TUO Voices
Bv VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE WATER.

was strongly developed. At this
taunt, IL asserted itself.
Deceived him" she repeated. her
voice tense and low. And why must
| deceive him, Doris? 1t Is because
YOU will not do your part yourself
will not comfort him and cheer him
as you ought to do"
"In other words-becausc I will
not lie to him." Doris suggested
SarCasticaliy.
II would rather lie to him than
break his heart" Ruth declared.
For a moment the implication con-
veycd in this sentence tickled the
vanity of the Older girl.
Break his heart" she echoed
eagerly. do you really suppose
that he cares as much as all that"
Embarrassing 10 Ruth.
Ruth's face was very white. 81
suppose" she said. every word
falling slowly and distinctly, that
Hugh Rodney loved you so much
that the knowledge Of your disloy-
atty to him would have crushed
him-probably destroyed his last
chance Of rccovcry--had he known
tho truth in his weakened condi-
ton. And it was to prevent that
catastrophe that ! took your place.
and now" Doris asked.
"And now" Ruth answered, "he
still believes that you love him.
You saw that for yourself today
Doris shivercd. The pleasant
glow caused by gratified vanity was
dssipatcd by the memory of Hugh
sightless eyes.
"Weu-you will have TO play the
game out alone" she said with de
cision. AS ! just remarked, | VIII
not go there again-no, not Tor
YOU, nor for Hugh, nor for any
one. I went to sing for nm TINS
afternoon just because YOU were IN
a scrapc. Laura never thanked me
for coming. but acted just as IT
had not put off my own wishes Tor
her brother. Then when / sang ~-
hating it all the whtle-you LETT me
alone with Hugh. And, as nnlsh-
ing touch. he found fault with the
way ] sang
psvcho naIyst would have
understood the workings OF Doris
Courtncy's mind at this juncture'
The Girl had been fattered by
Hugh's desire to hear her sing mao
exncrienced q comfortable glow OF
in gratifying this desire. But she
had received no praise. had been
the recipient of no thanks, and had
bcon reminded that her talent was
inferior to her sisters. Added TO
this was the fact that the sight Of
HuCh's blindness had made her
uncomfortable. A natural reaction
had set in.
psycho-analyst.
"Wby. Doris" she asked, what
is the matter my dear? ! did not
hear Hugh criticize your song.
"No-becausc you rushed OF ana
left mo alone with him. Then nc
told me that my voice was not
nearly so good as it was YESTERDAY
which means that you sang much
better than | could. Such belhS
the case II was hardly kind or you
to drag me around there Just 10
mark the contrast between our ac-
complishments."
Doris Lays Down the Law.
Ruth did not speak for a full
minute. Then
az think, my dear" she sara
that we would best not discuss
ct do not wish to discuss IL any
more at ALI" Doris retorted. II have
done all that I intend to do. You
took IL upon yourself TO interfere in
my affairs and to play Providence to
Hugh Rodney instead of letting
things take their natural course.
Wen, then, you will have TO de-
pond upon yourself to get you out
OF any more scrapes you walk into"
AS they had reached the corner OF
tho street on which their mother 8
friend lived. they descended from
tho bus, and further discussion OF
Hugh and his case was suspended.
Nor was IL renewed until an hour
later, as tho girls reached their own
front door, when Ruth asked q sud
den question. ono she had been re-
Nolving in her mind for the past
half mile.
Doris" laying her hand on her
sisters arm, do not II us quarrel,
dear. | regret putting you in an
awkward position this afternoon.
whether tho fault Is mine or not is
OF no matter just now. But one
thing ] must know. Are you at last
certain that you can never love
Hugh Rodney"
To her relief, Doris Answered
frankly.
Just for minute this afternoon
! was uncertain, for he looked al
most ms he used to--only perhaps
gentlcr in some way. Then-hc
opened his eyes and touched me
And then I knew"
WHAT
THAT do not love him, and that
never stall again" was tho blunt
reply. You wanted tho truth.