Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-14

You mean all this means .
that you don't love me-"
Feathers bit his lip till The blood
came. Not love her! When every drop
OF blood in his body was on fire with
love for her; wien he was holding him
self in with n grip Of iron from TAX
!ifg her into his arms. He laughed
drear1ly as lie answered:
IF | loved you less should not try
to send you away"
She looked up then. the blood rushing
in n crimson wave to her face. He
knew he had but to say the word and
she would leave everything for him.
and the knowledge tore his heart with
pride and humility. He knew hc had
but to hold out his arms and she would
come to them as a child might, trusting
him. confident of happiness.
! And 1t was because she was such 70
enid that he would not, dare not She
did not understand what she was doing
he kept telling himself. She did not
realize into what pitiful trap she was
trying to lead both him and herself. His
heart ached with tenderness for her.
even while it bled with the wounds of
the battle he was fighting.
There were moments when nothing
seemed to matter but this girl and her
!
but paltry rag, and friendship thing
at which to scoff moments when he
told himself that he had as much right
10 happiness ms any one in the world
and that it was here for the taking ::
moments when he would have sold his
immortal soul to hold her to his heart
and kiss her lips. He felt his resist
ance breaking down. and in despair he
broke out:
/ Mrs. Lawless. let me take you
home. ] beg of you-for both
She stood quite still, her hands tear.
ing at her gloves, then suddenly she
looked up at him with burning eyes.
lie could read the thoughts behind
those eyes-shame that he was sending
her away. and shame because she had
come. Feathers stifled a groan as he
turned from her
Then--"I am quite ready" she said, ,
i'll the faintest whisper.
! lie stood aside to let her pass, but
as She reached him she swaycd and
would have fallen fainting to the floor
but for his arms.
| He caught her and held her as if she
had been child. Her eyes were closed
and her face and lips quite colorlcsS.
Feathers put her down in the shabby
armchair in which Chris had so often
sat and grumbled. and tried TO force
water between her lips.
Her hat had fallen OF, and there was
an ugly bruisc on her forehead where
last night she had fallen against the
window sill. 1t stood out painfully
against the whitcneSs Of her skin.
And suddenly Feathers strength gave
way. He gathered her into his arms
as if he could never let her go. He
kissed her hair and the ugly bruisc
that had broken him down. He kissed
her hands and the unconscious face that
rested against his shabby coat.
For moment at least she was his
even If in all his life he never saw her
again.
Even Samson was robbed of his
strength by woman.
| And even as he held her Feathers felt
her stir in his arms, and the fluttcring
of her breath. and he released her a
| little, watching the color creep back to
her face with passionate eyes.
Then her lids lifted. and she saw him
! bending over her.
! She struggled free of him and sat up.
pushing the dark hair from her fore
| head. She tried to remember what had
happened. but it only came back TO her
slowly and with difficulty: then she
! made a movement to rise to her feet.
! II forgot YOU asked me TO
60 ~ 80,
Marie said Feathers brokenly.
! She looked up, wild hope in her
eyes. then she fell forward into his
arms.
"oh, do You love mc?-say you love
MY darling--my beloved " 81"
| he.
world was at standstill. In his arms
! she felt that she had come home at
last TO rest and perfect happiness.
They talked in broken whispers. lie
would tax" her away. he said; they
would find their happiness together Be-
tween kisses they made their plans.
'And YOU will never be sorry-aud
hate me- she asked painfully.
lie turned her face to his.
Am | to answer that question:" hc
asked hoarscly, and she shook bcr head.
"NO-l know you never will"
Her head WAS on his shoulder, his
! cheek pressed to hers Presently sho
raised herself and put her arms round
his neck
Are you quit"--Qute happy" she
whispered. Tho grip of his arms left
her breathlcss az he answered:
II never believed in hcavcn-tlll
now" She rubbed her soft face against
the rough tweed of his coat.
Il love your coat, she said. II love
all Of you
Feathers turned his face sharply
away, and she put up her hand. forcing
| him to look at her again.
DO you really love mcT" she asked.
She had had so little of love in her life,
it was hard TO believe that at last she
was everything in the world to this
man.
He answered her with broken words
and kisses. She could feel the passion
ate beating Of his heart beneath hcr
cheek, and she looked up at him with
shy eyes. You always will-always ="
| she insisted.
"Always-~always all my life
and after.
lie put his lips 10 hers in long kiss (;
he kissed her hands and slender wrists.
My lovc--my love-" he said brok.
enly. and could say no more.
Presently he drew her to her feet.
81 must take you home" lie looked
At her with eyes that were hot and pas
sionatc. Marie, do you dcspisc me I?
tried to send you away, but | love
you 80, ! love you so.
II love you, too she said.
my beloved"
She looked up at him.
Its good night them" She lifted
her face like n child to kiss him. "Good.
night till tomorrow, she said, And
then
He kissed the words from bcr lips.
She tidicd her hair by the little glass
over the mantclshelf.
CONTINUED TOMORROW