The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-09-30

met
"What," the woman answered In
differently, "have I to hide|
The man leaned back regarding her
averted face.
"Your true affection for me, per-
haps," he said.
She turned upon him then, a 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.
81 did," he admitted.
81 promised" he reminded, mot to
revert to the question of love. Yes,
/ believe that you did love me, Mar
got, years ago, while Have never
ceased to love you.
"Now," he said breathlessly, "let
us have this thing out. Tell me exact
ly why you are leaving your hus-
band"
She shrugged.
80 many unbearable reasons His
Indifference his intolerance, most of
all--hs faithleSSnesS."
The man Strengthened. She laughed
mirthlessly. THE girl, queer, bobbed-
haired sort Of creature.
II thought when l 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 he so kindly helpful. When
| inquired concerning her, re-
member that he was evasive, and I'M
comfortably embarrassed. met
them one evening several weeks later
MS they were walking in sub
urban district. They did not see me
rs ! drove the car. My husband had
teephoned that an engagement would
keep him from returning home to din
ner. 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
frowning 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? / have told you all"
The man considered.
"Margot," he asked gently, do you
love your husbandW
"And if I love him or not" she said
YEARLY, what is that to your
a Tensely he leaned forward grasping
her hands.
"It is everything to me-" he said.
IF you can forget those old sweet
heart days, cannot. We pledged
ourselves to each other then, and
have never altered. Today am ready
to offer anew the old love, the old al
leglance."
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.
ton for lasting happiness. Our hap
piness must be lasting, Margot."
From his shoulder, presently, the
woman lifted her radiant face.
Dearest" she said, 81 have been
trying hard to fight this thing out,
while always my heart called for you
And now, of course, there can be nc
separation between us, you will ex.
plain, perhaps, about that bobbed'
haired glrl?'
The man, who was Margots hus.
band, looked down upon her with shin
ing eyes. THAT was old Wellingt0n'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. II
was the only way that they could hope
to repay. So we agreed trying tC
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 fol
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 hei
identity be kept secret from everyone
| they felt so utterly disgraced, these
I two. And, Margot, did you never think
that my disappearing manner may
have been reflection Of your cold
suspicious one? We are cften mir
rors, my dear"
"Then," said the little woman In
| gray as she clasped her husbands
| arm, eve shall try hereafter to see In
our mirrors the trehection of happi
! ness only, and perfect trust"