The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-02-05
chapter SO.
WHAT ESTHER KNEW

I'D love him more. because he
would need me more" vi said and
therein gave the keynote of her
whole character. vi was the sort
who could love man. not only in
spite of his faults, but because OF
them. The woman who has this
trait is to be pitied and envied,
too, for though she will be unhap-
py perhaps more than other wom-
en-, she will achieve happiness
at, other times that her less ro-
mantle sister rarely knows.
My mind was so busy with this and
other problems that l slept but little
that night. And when / awoke, | saw
with a start that it was o'clock.
looked across the room, but vi had
gone-indeed, she was at her work for
at least an hour by this time.
81 got up and got breakfast" Esther
said when I appeared in my kimono
It's all ready, didn't wait"
That's nice, I'll have a bath and be
ready in 10 minutes" told her.
One of my greatest joys in my new
life was the breakfast-when sat idly
with the second cup of coffee and the
morning paper. Esther, in one of her
house gowns"-flannel in winter, cali.
examining our candlesticks and pic.
lures, and finally settled down at the
table with me. Plaintly. Esther did
not share my enthusiasm for the morn
ing's news.
Finally she went out to the kitchen
and got herself some coffee and came
back.
You're not taking your exercises -
she accused me.
Not this morning, I don't want to
take the time" l answered. after
dress, we'll go out and see the city"
Looks kinda cold" Esther com
mented, staring through the window,
But it's gorgeously clear" l said.
And an ideal day to go up to the top
of the Woolworth Tower. Three sets
of elevators. Esther, and you are about
700 feet high, think. You can see the
city, and the country, and the most
gorgeous view past the harbour and
far out to sea-
"I'd get dizzy that high
"Oh no. soothed her, and went on,
trying to rouse her enthusiasm. We'll
walk down where the high buildings
are and I'll take you on the subway"
But I'd be afraid of one of them
things! Suppose it fell in?''
But it doesn't! ! answered and
laughed, though l was beginning to be
discouraged by this time. l began to
Sc now that the narrowness for which
see now that the narrowness for which
own fault.
We'll do anything you want" said.
What was all that vi said last
night about sticking to someone in
spite of everything suppose she
meant that Bud Pearsoll!"
glanced up, startled. OF course
might have known that vi would be
overheard-our apartment was so very
tiny. And how much had Esther
heard? She sat there stolidly enough.
her little eyes roaming the room while
she waited for my answer, her hair,
recently combed, already beginning to
come down in wisps about her fore
head, Esther had a trick of pretend
ing she knew less than she did, some
times-there was nothing to do but
come out with the whole truth.
And did, softening it as much as
possible.
You been helping her deceive her
family" she accused.
NO, for we haven't really deceived.
We simply have not told you, and you
never asked. Perhaps it was mega
tive deception"
Il dunno what you mean by that
guess our minister would say it was a
sort of lying, though" Esther was a
little triumphant over this. so they're
engaged?"
No" | answered, glad the truth
was wholly on my side now" They
were, but when this trouble started
and Buds name was involved. he re-
fused to let vi stay engaged, but re-