The Washington herald., 1921-01-01

necessary for him to do, he had with
drawn again to the little circle of
lntlmates with whom he spent his
leisure evenings-the Tony Grants,
young Comstock, occasionally the
! Gibsons.
Alison, hoping wistfully and al
most unconsciously that something
would occur to make him offer his
services again, was at a loss to
summon him back.
Pride was still strong in her
young heart, stronger than the ties
of marriage, or of a love whose eT9
istence she steadfastly refused to
| acknowledge.
AS she passed the apartment
mouse where the fourth floor still
held the skeleton of the home she
and Larry had established together
she glanced up, as she always did.
The dark windows Knocked her,
and with sigh, she turned to cross
the street
A passing taxi slowed UP at a
word from the passenger inside and
Alison heard her own name in a
wOman's voice
Wondering, she walked over to
the machine.
In the veiled woman who leaned
from the open door she recognized
Warren Bradley's wife.
Il m glad that 1 met you by acct
dent, Mrs. Osborne" the other wo-
man said quickly. Il was almost
tempted to phone you before I left
but thought better of it. Will you
get in and ride to the station with
me? am leaving tonight, and I
shall never return to Maplewood. I
intend to make my home in England
with-my husbandw
Alison, concealing her surprise at
the request seated herself beside
the yelled woman, and the cab
moved on down the avenue.
Il know you think it odd that I
should want to reopen an issue
which has long been closed" con-
tinued the other woman, "and I am,
perhaps, foolish to do so. 1t is bet
ter to let we'll enough alone; to let
sleeping dogs lie, as I believe Mrs.
Gibson advised me on the afternoon
1 called at your home. But / am a
fair woman even If circumstances
have forced me to be no longer a
proud one"
She paused a moment, and through
the veil, Alison could see that her
lips trembled. but she went ON
without trace OF bitterness in her
voice.
When I came to you and made
such bold accusations. I thought I
was a wroEged wife. Please be-
lieve that. I love my husband in
spite Of everything he has done. My
love Is so great that it has made
me humble, I, who once was as
proud and intolerant as you. But
that is neither here nor there" she
continued, after the fraction Of a.
pause. What 1 wanted to say to
you is: Please forgive me for a
cruel mistake if you can, and over
look the harsh things I said. Can
you do that?'
For answer, Alison held out her
hand, and the other woman putt
hers into it, quickly. gratefully.
There was no reservation. in
Alison's guesture. She felt No re-
sentiment; only pity at the life she
knew this woman was facing with
Warren Bradley. In the case OF her
blind love, she would be like the
squirrel who goes round and round
and round. finding no egress, know
ing only the same endless well of
and despair.
At the station platform Alison
sprang out and offered her hand
again.
Good luck-and good-bye-unless
you have something more to say
to me-"
Il have" The other woman
looked at fer tintently through the
folds of her veil.
Don't lose your love while you
can still whistle it back. You are
young and one mans love more or
less doesn't seem to matter. But
sometimes life is long-and very
lonely"