Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-13
The Truth at Last!

IN THAT moment when all four young
people stood facing one another there
there was breathess silence. The few
words that Donnhue had spoken still
vibrated through the aid like electricity
Harriet stood as IL turned to stone, and
her violet eyes met the smiling blue ones
OF the reporter with the most anguished
look he had ever sccn on the fnce Of a
woman. His romantic young heart
skipped beat rs he stared at her. for
he had not expected anything so lovely.
When the Star had sent him out 10
find the woman he had expected the
usual thing. probably an ordinary look =
ing girl. but this beautiful woman ap-
pealed to his chivalry and her terror
increased the pity he felt for her.
Lucy's brown eyes had widened and
for a moment the look Of triumph had
faded from her face. She stood staring
at Harriet as though she could not be-
lieve her ears, and yet surely this man
had said:
II want TO speak to Mrs. Neil mo-
ment."
Mrs. Neil!" Lucy finally gasped in
credulously.
Larry nodded nonchalantly.
You are Mrs. Neil. aren't you?
he asked Harriet, and his tone was more
than ordinarily gentle.
She nodded.
Then Charlie spoke.
"Who are you?" The words were
rough and his handsome face was
twisted with anger.
Didn't you hear?" Larry asked
smoothly. She's Mrs. Neil Bury
Neil's wife"
Charlie turned on Harriet. And
you let me make love to you. you let
her threateningly, but Lucy suddenly
stepped between them.
Again she was smiling that strange
little smile.
I'm here" she said softly. "and
haven't settled with you yet, It's quite
like scene from play. isn't it, she
went on. The wronged young wife.
the Jealous stenographer the newspaper
reporter, and" She paused for a
moment, looking at Charlie through
half closed lids.
He started forward.
Lucy. for Gods sake, don't be
fool - he jerked out.
Lucy laughed outright. DO you
think I'm going to shield you any lon
ger?" She turned to Harriet. II think
] know why you came here: you believed
in your husband and wanted to prove
his innocence. Well. you re going to
get your wish. for Barry Nell never took
those bonds. There's the thief, and she
pointed mockingly at Charlie, "and to
think that once / loved him. That's
Why kept still about it. because he
asked me to marry him. and I was will
ing to agree TO anything because Of
that.
Her face softened for moment into
such tenderness that the tears sprnng
involuntarily TO Harriet's eyes. She
knew what It was TO love n man as
Lucy had loved Charlie, and she knew,
too, what 1t would mean to find that
man unworthy Of woman's love. She
and Lucy had, after all, great deal IN
common. both would fight 70 the knife
for the man they loved. In way she
and Lucy had fought their battles side
b. giAa, aaA lacy had lost because hers
was the losing fight. 1t wasn't till then
that realization came 10 Harriet as to
what this meant. It meant that her
own fight was over. that Barry would be
freed. that they would be together again.
But even in that moment Of eAultation
there was such pity in her heart for
Lucy that the keen edge of her triumph
wns dnlled by this other wOman's mis-
cry.
Tomorrow-"Because Loved Him. "