Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-20
CHAPTER XII

dIlu admits she Iopes the FORMER.
AND HERE 1T CONTINUES
CHAPTER XLI
"A Liz Which Is Half the Truth"
SUPPOSE l must have been a pit.
liable little figure as I stood there be &.
Aen the two men, and / wished l
tht drop dead to escape from my
erab'e shame and the compassion in
mel Champions eyes.
iark had never loved me, or IL he
Il had only been such poor sort
love that he valued 1t less than he
ued his farm and yet in spite of the
shinr humiliation in my heart was
vsn to ask one last question:
Then - then why did YOU
- pretend-that you cared?"
Ind again it was Lionel who an
rcd for him.
HE thought you had money he he.
ed that you would bring him money
be married you, and when he found
his mistake . ."
Mark moved. I heard the harsh tear.
sound Of his indrawn hrenu. and
his hands clench into fists, and for
moment I thought he was going to
ck Lionel down. He was the moro
,erfnl man Of the two. Involuntarily
nvo q little cry ard rushed forward.
No no--"
His hands fell to his sides. He
ghed mirthlessly. "You needn't be
add won't hurt him." He spoke
h q little pause between each word
II he found 1t difficult to form them.
II you will excuse me- will 20
," he added hoarsely.
The blood rushed to my head in such
iood that 1t seemed almost to drive
mad, and ! broke out pass:onately :
Yes, you'll 90 now-now you've
ken my heart for the second time
III 90 and laugh at me for havin;,
N such d fool! Oh, II / could only
you =" I looked up at him
n the eyes of fury. The tears were
rising down my face. but they were
angry tears or even tears Of grlct.
think they were just forced by the
cr agony of my heart.
I said I loved you just now"
ed on. 1T was a lie hate you
p could ruin You for life ! would. !
nld make you miserable for ever and
II l had the power. Oh yes, try
stop me" I gasped as he made
movement toward me. TRY to
b me because I suppose 1t hurts your
de to hear such things! But II
II you more I'll hurt you
te ~
Sally, my poor child" Lionel broke
He tried to draw me away, but ]
sted fercely. Mark alone existed fol-
at that moment. Mark with his
to set face and steady eyes. and ]
u on in q torrent Of passion:
You told me tonight that your luck
turned, that somebody had died an
you money, and that you'd paid the
OF the farm! Well--I did that,
b the money Aunt Allison left me
ID 1t like a fool. Ask Mr.. Shelter !!
knows! He arranged IL all for me
him--ask him! Aud now
haps you know what it Is to feel
hum!liated and ashamed rs / am .
haps you know now ~
stopped, painting and shaking from
to foot, and with q fierce exulta,
at the depths Of my broken heart
saw the look Of terror that crossed
xs face. He tried to speak, bu
words would come. His lips were
King like child's and he was white
p, so white.
'hen he said hoarsely, with the ghos,
bitter laugh:
"A lie which is half the truth--eh? L?
~, l think we're almost quits
4 almost !" His eyes wan
fd over me with a Wild sort of ex-
ps!on, as II he was looking at me for
last time; then, with broken eA
nation, he turned and left us.
stood there quivering from head to
who slowly the realization of
: had happened came home to me-
ionel did not speak, or attempt to
ch me. ! thought that had never
Pre- seen him look so old.
hrough the curtained doorway the
le In the next room had stopped.
rake ME home - please take me
nd me. '' ~
think there is another way into
hall without going through the
wing room," he said. He found 1t
look me out that way. He gave
IN charge Of one Of the maids to
my coat, and he went to explain
PCS to Mrs. Fraser.
DON'T know what he told her. or
she thought, and / did not care.
y pack with closed eyes during the
nome, and neither Of us spokp
Just before the car stopped, Lilo.
eaned over and touched my hand.
Yes" I opened my eyes.
ere you going to throw me over,
Throw you oyer"' I echoed his
us alphabetically; / had forgotten
our wedding day was so near.
sat up with a little shudder,
inrow you over When you're the
one In the world who cares for
SMSliy,' He held out his arms, and
~ forward into them, sobbiug my
\ SeVer speak to me of what's hap.
-rrtmise me Promise me ." l
.orcd him, and felt his lips ON my
Ys ne answered: Never as long
!, ihVe-l give you my word of
ono you'll never tell any one--neyer
ny one know? Oh, / think I shall
NOBODY shall ever know"
CHAPTER XIII
An Unbearable Hurt
thought / had suffered everytbjpy