The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-05-27
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averted face.
'sYour true affection for me, per-
haps," he said.
She turned upon him then, small
fury, the gray of her eyes darkening
beneath their darker lashes.
"You have no right" she retorted,
ito speak to me like that. Did you
dare-to follow me here?"
The man still smiled.
II did," he admitted.
II promised" he reminded, mot to
revert to the question of love. Yes,
I believe that you did love me. Mar
got, years ago, while have never
ceased to love you.
snow" he said breathlessly, 'let
as have this thing out. Tell me exact
ly why you are leaving your nus
band"
She shrugged.
80 many unbearable reasons! His
Indifference, his intolerance, most OF
ail-his faithlessness."
The man Strengthened. She laughed
mlrthlessly. ''The girl, queer, bobbed-
haired sort Of creature.
| 81 thought when i saw her first In
his office that he was unusually pa
tient and painstaking in his directions.
The new and inexperienced one was
evidently learning to operate the type
writer. 1t was not my husbands fash
ion to be so kindly helpful. When
I inquired concerning her, re-
member that he was evasive, and I'M
comfortably embarrassed. i met
them one evening several weeks later
as they were walking in a sub
urban district. They did not see me
as / drove the car. My husband had
telephoned that an engagement would
keep him from returning home to din
ner. I did not mention the episode to
him. and he is unaware that l wit
messed that evening stroll. 1t may
have come about by chance or acci-
dent, do not care to ascertain. His
manner of chilling disapproval, the
frbwning change in him-made me
only wish to free him of my pres
ence."
She arose abruptly.
"Now," she asked her listener, "are
you satisfied? l have told you all"
The man considered.
aMargot,' he asked gently, ''do you
love your husband?'
"And If / love him or not" she said
YEARLY, "what is that to you?'
Tensely he leaned forward grasping
her hands.
ut is everything to me-" he said.
IF you can forget those old sweet
heart days, / cannot. We pledged
ourselves to each other then, and i
have never altered. Today am ready
to offer anew the old love, the old al
legiance."
Unconsciously the woman's fingers
frightened in his own. through tear
| filed eyes she looked bravely at him.
"But there would first have to be
perfect trust" the man said, perfect
| confidence. There is no other founda-
| tion for lasting happiness. Our hap
| piuess must be lasting, Margot."
| From his shoulder, presently, the
woman lifted her radiant face.
Dearest" she said, Il have been
trying hard to fight this thing out,
while always my heart called for you.
| And now, of course, there can be no
separation between us, you will ex-
plain, perhaps, about that bobbed-
haired girl?"
The man, who was Margot's hus-
band, looked down upon her with shin
ing eyes. "That was old Wellington's
daughter he answered slowly, "the
man who absconded recently with part
of the company's funds. The girl
lives with her mother. They are as
honorable as unfortunate, and togeth-
err, conceived the idea of working out
In measure the fathers debt. 1t
was the only way that they could hope
to repay. So we agreed trying to
help the girl at the same time by CIV
ing her Instructions, AS my helper,
the lot was assigned to me. The night
you met us her mother had sent for
me to make an offering of gratitude.
/ could not refuse to go. She wished
my advice, Margot, in gift for you,
choice of certain beautiful tapes
tries. The girl had asked that hes
identity be kept secret from everyone,
they felt so utterly disgraced, these
two. And, Margot, did you never think
that my disappearing manner may
have been reflection of your cold
suspicious one? We are often mir
rors. my DEAR"
''Then,' said the little woman in
gray as she clasped her husbands
arm, 1--WE shall try hereafter to see in
our mirrors the reflection Of happi.
ness only. and perfect trust"