The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-21

mo. YOU listen to me-" she said. Her
eyes were brilliant. and she had ceased
snilinr. II want to talk to you: I've
wanted to know you for long time.
Why" she said, laughing uneAsily, Two
rot 4 dozen pictures OF you In my
house now: I sent to the States for
them. Yes, / did: and I'm no mora
keen about you than a lot more OF
other women know. I've thought II
I could meet a man like you'll mean.
you know" she explained, tho sort OF
man I thought you were-that things
would be better. or worse, for II. You
see," she said. laughing unmirthfuly,
you never know just who IL counting
on you in this world-do you? A chap
like you has responsibilities; but you're
quite right to shove them over. You
have a livelier time. I fancy-don't
you than II you bothered with them"
She stopped and looked down, with her
lips pressed together. and breathing
heavily. But it's hard on the others
sometimes-on that sick girl was tell
Ing you about, for instance. I guess II
she knew, It would about kill her. And
it's hard on me-" Thorold's cigar WIS
out, and the candles on either side OF
the piano had sunk to their socket, and
were sputtering In wavering, uncertain
flashes. That's what you did for me-"
the woman went on. bitterly. Her
voice chilled Thorold as It came from
above like the falling Of cold rain upon
his bare head. Il counted on YOU" she
said. Il used to think that a. long
as there WA one man left who believed
in us we weren's so bad. that there was
chance Of our getting better Or our
getting back. Iva sung those songs Of
yours, and they sort of\comforted me.
They made me feel there was some
thing good In me too. and could have
loved the man who made me feel that,
the man who wrote those songs, II I
had met him. could have done any
thing for him-anything. I'd have
been-dinerent for him II he had
wanted me to, and now--now I can't"
Her voice had risen suddenly. but she
lowered IT again into a sharp, fierce
whisper. Il can't. Now that I've met
you can't. I wish Id never seen you.
I'd rather be a fool. believing there
was one man who was different-diffe-
rent from all the rest of you. ] hate
you!" she whispered; II hate you! I'd
made so much of you. I counted on
you So and you're no better than Cath
cart there-not 50 good. for he doesn't
preach one thing and live another. He
doesn't pretend to be any better than
he h-and you, oh! you-you don't
want to be a. good as you are. You've
fooled them all-haven't you? You've
been very clever. Aren't you pleased
with Il? Aren't you proud?" Her voics
broke with a sob. and she turned swift.
ly away and swept out Of the room into
the hall beyond.
Thorold sat quite motionless. His
head was bent, and his fingers still
rested on the silent keys. All he had
ever said to himself. or all that others
had said to him, had never come to him
as had tho words Of this woman. whose
name was "as common as the Paris
road" and whom he had despised him.
self for admiring, even while he pitied
her. He was sore. bruised, and sick. -
though he had been pelted with stones
and pointed at on pillory. Outside,
the birds in the Park across the street
were chirping violently, and the early
Of the blinds into the smoke-laden
room.
Thorold rose stihiy and uncertainty.
as though he had been sitting there .
very long time, and followed her.
A tall white figure. muffied and I'M
recognizable, confronted him in the
gray half-light Of the hall "Wellr
she said.
Thorold went to the door and threw
It open. letting in the sunlight, and Civ.
ing them strangely foreign and UNI
familiar air. It was az II the night just
over were far back in the past.
Mrs. Inness." he said. you won't
understand me. am afraid. But !
want you to know that, thought have
disappointed you. you have helped me
great deal. think owe It to you
to tell you this. We never know. as
you say. how much We depend on
others, and we can never tell from
what source that help We most need
will come"
II don't understand" the woman
said.
Never mind" Thorold answered.
gently. 1T Is something that you have
helped another, 10 II not?"
Cathcart and the girl came into the
hall, ard Cathcart stepped into the
street and beckoned to the line Of ham
SONS drawn up by the ratings under
the oierhanging branches Of tho Park.
I'm sorry I made such an ass Of my
self, Thorold," the soldier said. but
that song Of yours was q bit creepy,
now, wasn't IT."
Tho model stretched . slim white
{ hand out from the mass Of swami
down. and as Thorold took II in his
own, she stopped and kissed his hand.
and then ran down the steps. laughing.
to where Cathcart stood waiting be-
side the hanson. Thorold helped Mrs.
Inness into the next, and gave her
number to the driver. but she called to
him to wait. She pushed the doors
away and leaned forward.
You are angry with me-" she said.
Her eyes were wet and pleading. "You
will never forgive me. 1 don't know
why 1 spoke as did. I was a fool-be.
cause l don't want you to hate me.
want you to forgive me. and como to
see me. in spite Of all said.
There Is nothing to forgive. Mrs.
Inness," Thorold answered. earnestly.
II tell you. you have done me . great
service. You have helped me very
much"
"Oh. know" she interrupted, i'm
patiently. You say that. but you are
angry. Don't think OF what said.
Forget It and forgive me. and come and
see me-"
rhnrold arnIlad In could not hahn