South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-13
AND EDITH FACED EACH
OTHERS


The first effect OF Edith Fairfax's
passionate admiration and revelation
upon me was a quick revUisiOn Of
the tend :. plying feeling I'd had
for her.
So it was true, after all, Her
Journey had been 10 see Dicky-
Dicky OF whose very address 1 was
uncertain. Jealous rage famed up
again within me, and must have been
visible upon my face. for I saw the
girl shrink back as if my hand been
raised for a blow.
The sight OF her evident fear
brought me to my senses with a
rush. Even if what I feared were
true-somethiag which my returning
sanity and common sense doubted
I would gain nothing by frightening
her.
SO 1 schooled my voice and face
to ealmness even TO an aspect of
friendly kindness.
Don't let US misunderstood each
other, Miss Fairfax" I said quietly.
You don't need TO be afraid of me
or TO shrink from me. l am not
angry at YOU palliated the false
hood 10 my soul with the sOphistry
that my fercest anger had indeed
ffed-"I am only anxious TO find out
from YOU certain things which il Is
necessary for many reasons for me
TO know
There was a flashing change in
her face-relief predominated, but
there was also a quick, Slight film
ing of her eyes that have observed
in many girl pupils when undergo
ing a quizzing concerning some for
hidden exploit. I at once interpret
ed it to mean that there was some
thing concerning Dicky which she
wouldn't tell me.
When she answered me her voice
held calm dignity instead OF the
passionate protest of a moment be
fore.
I shall be very glad, Mrs. Ora
ham, to answer any question l can
without betrayinG a confidence
The inference that she held conf
was barred upset my enforced
calm-dictated a speech worthy Of
a shrew:
at is no secret to me. Miss Fair
fax" / said scathingly, that my
husband and you care for each 9TH
er. and it is scarcely necessary for
YOU TO faunt the fact that there are
condolences between you that you
don't care TO reveal 10 me-"
''No Wonder Your Husband
regretted the speech as soon as
it had left my lips, but not so poig-
nantIy as I did a moment later when
the girl had insulted sprang to her
feet, and with the hot color dyeing
her proud, sensitive face, famed GU
at me royalty:
"Oh! OH" she choked. How car
you say such cruel, underlined vui-
gar things to me! No wonder your
| husband"
She stopped, panic-stricken, and
the color ebbed out Of her face.
leaving her deadly pale. ! watched
her with almost an uncanny faScin-
alton. What was the rest OF the
sentence which she had left un-
finished concerning Dicky?
And then saw a transformation
indeed. AS If by magic the shyness
the timidity. the girlishness Of Edith
Fairfax seemed to slip from her
leaving a calm. poised woman Of the
world. who looked out at me from
searching. appraising. judging eyes.
please forgive me-" she said with
sincerity. but there was only dign-
ity. no abasement in her contrition.
II should not have spoken to you IN
| that manner. but"
Neither should l have spoken as
I did" 1 finished for her. Il trust
you Will accept my apologies
She inclined her head in grave as
sent, but there was something in the
expression of her eyes that dis
turbed me. 1 fancied 1 read de
nunciation. judgment, warning in
their dark depths.
II Love Him Truly"
Mrs. Graham." she said after a
little pause. Il want you 10 do me
the honor OF believing that what
am going to say TO you is the exact
truth"
She looked at me expectantly.
II do believe it," I returned with
unexpected earnestness, and knew
that I meant the assertion.
Then let me assure you now" she
went on. that your husband does
not care for me at all in the way
You think. That he believes me 70
be a true friend who has been able
TO serve him in two or three emer-
gencies. who stands ready to serve
him. I am sure. That I care for him
deeply. hopelessly. you have guessed.
but he does rot dream Of such
folly upon my part. thank God
1T is my prayer that he will never
know-and yet-and yet her
voice broke into tears all the more
bitter because unshed. Il love him
more truly than you can-would
make him happier-be better
wife for him"
looked at her with eyes that
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