Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-02-15

STRANGE unrest had settled
upon Helen. For days Lansing

STRANGE unrest had settled
N upon Helen. For days Lansing
n had been in her thoughts-and
in her dreams, The urge to
confide in him was great-almost as
great as was her fear. She hated
the world, wished she might kick
back at it, might get even in some
way.
She forcer herself to work, to write.
She needed money and more than
money did she need the forgetfulness
that work gave her. But her work
was mechanical and much of 1t she
destroyed.
Let's sc out IL the country" Adele
pleaded, Just over Sunday" But
Helen was obdurate. She hardly left
the house. She was afraid of meet
ing Blackton,
Tell me, Helen, what are you go
ing to do-about Lansing" For a
moment Helen did not answer, then a
bit resignedly:
st do not see that can do any
thing. I can't tell him!"
do, Helen! Don't be afraid to
trust him. He's all wool and yard
wide, real honest-tog goodness man. "
at is just because he is that kind
Of man that l can't tell him. Don't
talk about it any more, Adele"
Helen had no idea that at that very
moment Kirk Lansing was on his way
to her; that he had determined once
more to plead with her. He was sure
she loved him and that some fancied
girlish indiscretion was holding her
back Gradually his mounting pas
sion had idealized Helen; she had be-
come to him the one woman-his
woman.
She was writing when he came in.
She started and looked up, her love
written in her eyes.
"Helenn'
"Kirk!"
He took both her hands in his and
drew her toward him.
You belong to me, Helen. 1 have
come to claim you"
she told him:
I'm a cheat and an imposter, Kirk,
I am not Helen Westfield, yes l am,
man years ago-it seems centuries. l
was only eighteen. l believed in him,
and I married him. L should have
told you at Observation-Disclosures
was afraid"
you are free-now?" Lansing had
grown pale. Somehow he had not
dreamed of anything as serious as
this. Married-and divorced. But
after all she was still Helen, his
Helen. He felt sure she had not been
to blame
"Yes-I am free now. Sit down,
and 1 will tell you'll must now" She
covered here face with her hands. In
a moment she dropped them and
looked up at him SO piteously that he
reached out towards her again, but
she motioned him away. Il was a
spoiled child, girl whose father
humored my every wish-as far as
was humanity possible. l had no
mother. She died when l was born.
Yhen 1 was eighteen he came. He
pretended to love me almost from the
very first. He played upon every
girlish emotion. He was very good
looking, fascinating when he chose.
He did choose until he had my prom
Use to marry him. Then my father
died. My relatives, none of them had
any Influence over me. SO I married
hm-a man without honor, without
common decency. I had cut myself
off from my friends by marrying him.
But I stood it-everything-bloWs,
even. 1t is long story-no use
stringing it out-unti1 one day when
he was angry-he had vile temper
that day he"-she again covered
her face and shivered with dread,
"That day he told me-he had wife.
He had tricked me into marriage
that was no marriage at all. [ was
"You see why I wanted to shake off
his name, everything that would re-
mind me of him. So L got divorce,
the right to resume my name. Then
1 ran away hereto hide-to work
out my own life, make it as 1 wanted
it. I had no money but that didn't
worry me. I knew l could do some
thing. And anything was easier than
being with him. I'm sorry l didn't
tell you at first, but how could l
know you would care?
why, I didn't believe there were
any good men in the world-men like
you. I thought they were all-like
him, vile-without decency of honor.
secret. Her lip quivered. But now
I know [ hadn't any right, not after
I knew you were beginning to care
for me. But have been very wretch
ed lately" Slow tears rolled down
her cheeks. Now L think you'd bet
ter 60"
mo, don't send me from you, dear.
1t is hard just at first. Let me get a
grip in myself. This man tricked you
into a mock marriage. You were in
nocent. When you found it out you
left him. In all that has happened
you have been the innocent victir2. l
love you, Helen-still love you"
Go, now, Kirk There are other
things I must tell you, but not to-
night. I haven't the strength. Please
60"
Heavily Kirk Lansing dragged him
self away. His fists clinched as he
crossed the square, and he mutterel:
"Pll find that man some day and pay
him out"