The state herald., 1920-04-16
a. s. COW P1ucHrp Fl
NNESAeE5S22t&Y~ Quther1
~ NI&SD09& Kitchener. O.icr poems
N.bz nAysrs u~~~~~-

had apparently proved so unworthy Of
that preference.
She had difficult things to say, and
even while she said them she must
fight battle to the death with the
Jealousy of her natural womanhood.
And she must be very, very careful
that In saying things which we.e hard
to say she did not say hard things.
And. most difficult Of nll. she must try
to pave the way to reconciliation be-
tween Dave and the woman who stood
between her and happiness.
Irene attended the door. as was her
custom. Her eyes took In Edith's face
md figure with mild surprise. Edith
was conscious of the process of n
quick intellect endeavOring TO classify
her--solicitor, music tencher, busi-
ness girl? And In that moment of
pause she saw Irene's eyes and n
strange commotlon OF feeling surged
through her. So this was the woman
Dave had chosen to love!
No; one does not choose whom one
will love; one loves without choosing.
Edith was conscious of that; she knew
that In her own life. And even as she
looked this first time upon Irene she
became aware of subtle attraction
gathering about her; she felt some
thing of that power which had held
Dave to single course through nll
these years. And suddenly great
t,,
Suddenly she realized that II the steel
at any time prove unfalthful to the
magnet the fault lies not in the steel
hut In the magnet. What n change Of
view. what reversion Of all accepted
things came with the realization Of
that truth which roots down into the
bedrock Of all nature!
"Won't you come in?" Irene was
saying. Her voice was sweet and mu-
slcnl, but there was note of sadness
In 1t which set responsive chords
a-tremble all through Edith's heart.
II am Edith Duncan" she managed
to say. IL think / have something
to say that may interest you"
There was quick leap in lrene's
eyes; the leap Of that intuitive fcmi-
nine sense OF danger which so seldom
errs In dealing with Its own sex, and
Is yet so unreliable n defense from
the dangers of the other. Mrs. Hardy
was In the living room.
"Won't you come up TO, my work
shopi" Irene answered. without
change of voice, and they assembled
/ the stairs together. ~ draw little,''
irene was saying. talking fast. "0h.
yes, I have quite commcrcinlized my
art, such as It is. But ] haven't lost
my soul altogether. daub In color
a litile-yes, daub. that's the word.
But 1t keeps ones soul alive" She
trembled. and her voice choked: she
pu, out her arm to chair. When
she turned her face there were tears
on II. TELL me-Edith," she
said. "You know"
81 know some things" Edith man
-cd to say. II know. now. that do
not know all. Dave and / are old
friends. My father took n liking To
him md he used often to be In our
house. And we got to know each
other very well. and he told me about
you long ago. And last night ! found
him ut his rooms. almost mad and
swearing to shoot Coward. And
then he told me that-that-"
Yes? Yes? What did he tell you 7
I am not afraid"
/ ,s,A has e., ha
white crests Of the mountains cut like
crumpled keel through sea Of inf
mite blue. "He told me he saw Con.
ward here upstairs .
and Coward made boast. And he
would have shot him. but you rushed
upon him and begged him not to. lie
snid you would have taken the bullet
yourself rather than II should And
Coward
"ohl oh! = the girl cried. in the pain
Of one mortaiiy hurt. "IIow could he
think thatl I didn't care for him
for Conwnrd--but for Dave. knew
there Ind been qunrrcl--I dldn';
know why-and knew II Dave shot
hint wasn't In self-dcfense-whni.
ever II was, he couldn't plcnd that
md they'd hang him. and that was NIL
l saw. Edith. that was nll ! saw. md
would--yes. would rather have
tnken the bullet myself than That TINT
should happen"
"You poor girl" said Edith. "You
poor girli" And her nrms found the
others neck. ~You hnvc been hurt.
hurt" And then. under her breath
more than me-"
"wimt has he donef''
"He hsd already been convinced
that he should otser his services to
his country. In these times. Tie snld
he couldn't remain here. and he has
already left for England. nm afraid
! encouraged him TO lcavs Mt once
You see. I didn't understand"
Irene had tnkcn n chair. and for
some minutes she snt In silence. 81
don't blame you." she snld, Mt length
You give him good ndvice. Thrr,
rcmnlns only one thing for me to do.