Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-01

L L body and mind. She refused
to waken to an interest in
anything, even Lansing, whom she
had refusedoto see, letting Adele tell
him what she would.
II can't see-him-or anyone" was
all she would say in response to
Adele's urging. But flowers, fruit,
and loving messages kept her lover
constantly before her.
She shuddered with dread at the
sound of the bell, or a rap on the
door. She had said nothing more
about telling Adele the something"
she had spoken of after John Black
ton left, She seemed to have for
gotten. Adele had said nothing to
remind her. But she was puzzled.
Helen had lost all the happiness, the
buoyancy that had been hers since
she became engaged to Lansing. She
was like one without hope.
Il wish you were going to be mar
her impulsive way. You need man
to keep you happy. And that man is
Kirk Lansing. Brace up, Helen, and
see him when he comes this after
noon" 1t was Sunday. Adele had
spent the entire morning with Helen,
Trying W CHEER her' puC WITHOUT sue
cess.
II don't think I shall ever marry
Kirk"
"Of course, you will marry him!
What nonsense! 1 know that some
thing John Blackton said that day
your illness" Then more quietly: "He
can't hurt you, Helen, now that you
have told Kirk. If you hadn't con-
fided in him I could understand. But
why let anything that man can do
or say so effect you"
"Adele-he-John Blackton-threat-
ened me. He said could be of use
to him because Of Kinks position,
both in business and socially"
But what can he do? You clipped
his claws when you told Kirk all
about him and-yourself."
But Adele-dont look at mel
didn't tell him ALL haven't told
from me. can't tell him-I can't
to do, Adele!"
Yes. Helen. the very best I can"
you see, Adele" Helen spoke very
low, so that Adele had to lean more
closely to hear, "I had no relatives
no place to go, and when John told
me-about the other-his real wife
I was stunned. I hated him, had
hated him for some time, but what.
he told me was too dreadful. had
no money--he would give, me none.
We were on small ranch, no near
neighbors. 7 think he took me up
their purposely so I wouldn't be able
to get away. I stayed-Adele-af
I knew. didn't get away for nearly
two weeks. I seemed to. have, no
strength, no will power. Instead Of
flying from him, even if | had died,
I stayed on-just as If had BEEN
as if I were his real wife. Don't
look at me, Adele! can't bear to
see the scorn in your eyes!"
There is none there for you to
see." Adele put one hand under
Helen's chin, compelling her to look
at her. There is only sorrow for
you"
can tell him-Kirk! Il would mean
giving him up. And Adele I can't!
love him too dearly"
secret between you, Helen Adele
said very gently. you can't go on
and on through the years knowing
that you haven't told him what he
had right to know. It is his right
because it is his right to decide. But,
I am sure Kirk will Understandable
forgive, a
would forgive that-deliberately stay
ing on when I kneW-it is too much
to ask"
at is because of his great love for
you that he will forgive, Helen. But
it looks to me that whether he does
or not you must tell him. Not en-
tirely for him either. You'd never
be happy with him unless you did"
Adele pressed Helen's hand upon
her breast. While Helen recognized
that Adele was speaking the truth.
all within her brain was merged into
one hot haze in which loomed the
idea that she must not yield; that If
she were to keep Kirk she. must keep |
this one thing secret.
"Come, dear, dress and see Kirk
when he comes. Tell him, just as
you have told, me- Adele broke in
upon Helen's thoughts pleadingly.
81 can't! Twill lose him."
Better lose him than have any
thing like that between you. If II
ever came out he would be perfectly |
justified in thinking you had delib- |
erately deceived him. Be sport,
Helen. and tell him. Then take the
consequences"
(To Be Continued.)