The Washington herald., 1921-07-17

direction, Neen- She held out her grand
arms. "Hes my husband. and" The red
rushed over her handsome face and superb
neck; even over her rounded arms--I want
himy
-Umphr said My voice was Indifferent
enough; but my heart was knocking to and
fro. and screaming that she should not win
him back from me.
81 know what you're thinking" she
charged me: but you're wrong. I don't
want him to plague. I'd Be good to him
now. Try. Neen. II you could put the idea
ef mailing II up into his head7 It's natural
70 him to do the kind thing II he thinks Of II.
You could say It's pity we squaboie. be-
cause can be nice. and-you could say you
know like him. win you, Neenl
We never had sisters. you and I; only each
other.
.I'n try" I answered.
That was q lie. did not try to lead him
back to her. I tried to ALLEVIATE him; warned
him against being fooled by her.
Margarets affectionate mood soon passed.
I knew It would! Their dissension became
sharper and more in evidence. They never
went out together; and whenever one dined
at home the other dined with friends, or in
town" It was generally she who was out;
but Robert was 4" at the club more than he
used to be. He was abstracted and silent
very often when talked to him. 1 had
always been able to rally him into interest
before.
Tspoke to him frankly one evening when
Margaret had gone out and had dropped In
Bob" I said. you look upon me a. q
pretty trusty friend, think"
-Indeed." he assured me. dol I'd trust
you blind. Nina"
There's something on your mind, I know
Would It help you to tell a pair
He leaned back in his chair and opened
his cigaret case
No." I commanded, "a cigar! One Of
those you keep for special occasions It will
unrufie you I'll get one. Give me the
key Of the cabinet" took the key from
him and fetched him one Of his extrava-
sances," as he called them
See! Now you can talk
Good old Nina! How you know my ways
and study me. You see, there are
things that one can't talk about; things that
concern other people.
I nodded.
Talk about man you know sus-
sested. and leave out peoples names: and
IN advise you in the abstract
he shook his head
I'm NO good at acting. Neen. I'm talking
about myself. Eight years ago
married Margaret Nobody blamed US. We
appeared to be Just suited. We didn't really
suit, Neen: not even on the honeymoon.
remember-bahi Tn gossiping like an old
lady. Well. wherever the fault lay, we
drifted away from each other. Possibly she
but they were sufficiently In evidence to
humiliate her husband. was too proud 20
own my hurt I Just grittsd 1t out TIL I
didn't care a hang. Well. not much. .
Anyhow. was very lonely for a long time,
and then found q very wonderful
"ohah vi very Woncerful
woman
you thought her So" said. sighed.
:" She was. and is. There has never been
a word OF love between me and her, Neen:
but we know"
Both Of your I asked unsteadily. 1
caught sight OF my face in the beveled mirror
Of a wall bracket just then; and 1t wavered.
Pale. and with the young bloom gone, and
never beautiful; but It looked loving, I
thought. All! loving!
Both Of U.s." he said unhesitatingly. Yes
Sometimes we have been near to the word:
but we have paused in time. 1t Is not my
strength that keeps US as we are, but the
strength that get from her; my reverence
for her goodness and daintinesa. She In
above all women. She
Hush I said. I'VE are not talking Of
her. but Of you. This is your story, which
you are telling to your friend So
truly your friend. Bob. you know
II know. don't want to sink in
your estimation. friend VIII tell you how
I looked at IT. There Is no wrong to Mar
earet I said For years she has not wanted
me; and she has not scrupled to iirt with
others. do not say that she has been un-
true to her marriage vow. as the world esti-
,.ates It I do not know"
II do not know" said in a faint whisper
II did a shameful. damnable thjSg from
nrst to last II was when I said that. Mar.
ssret was an honest woman tb.n- had not
the slightest doubt Of It
There can be no wrong to myself. For
lave of-her whom 1 love-I am a better
.aan; and our love is innocent and pure.
The question was about the girl.