The Washington times., 1922-11-26

at him and wrenched herself free.
"Oh," she said. under her breath
-"come away-come away"
With trembling hand she drew
him after her. As the door closed
upon them, Fancy drew a long,
hard breath, and looked up.
. "Billy-" she whispered, on a
sudden choking break Of tears
"Oh-Billy! Billy"
CHAPTER XXXIV.
T TER hand was upon his arm.
n He put it away from him
= gently, and swinging on his
heel crossed the room. Dropping
into a chair by the little writing
table he took his head between his
hands and sat staring drearily in
front of him.
The whole of his world had been
turned, of a sudden, upside down.
The thunder of its uphesvsl was.
still in his ears. He did not know
what to think. He was conscious
only Of a dull pain beneath the
numbness which was upon him.
Even his superb faith In the woman
he loved was not proof against to-
days revelations. Under his suf-
fering was q pricking, persistent,
growing resentment. He passed a
hand across his eyes, and caught
his breath as he found her hands
upon his shoulders.
They were trembling a little,
and her voice was not quite steady
when she spoke.
81 cannot blame you," she said
Just above her breath-"if you do
not believe--if there is nothing
left in your heart for me but just
scorn and anger. It-after all
it would be natural. You know
that Dan was the man ! was to
have married. ] had told you that
| loved him still-wOuld always
love him. And he came to me
that night! Nevertheless-what he
said to you just now was true!
There was no thought of wrong
between us-at least. no wrong
greater than that ] should break
my word to you while yet it was
not too late, and give him that
happiness for which he had lived
and fought and struggled for four
long years"
She drew slow breath, and
the hands upon his shoulders
frightened their grasp.
"And-I was tempted" she
went on. 81 had loved him when
he left me. I told myself that
there would never be another love
in my heart. When he came back
when I first met his eyes-I be-
lieved that still felt the same!
When he came to me-when he
begged of me to throw everything
aside and claim that happiness
which was our right-my strength
nearly left me! And | still be-
lieved! did not even like you!
! resented you-while | was CRATE
full to you! The very fact hat
you had helped me added to that
resentment! And-l nearly gave
in"
Her voice broke. With an
effort she steadied it.
1.-THE rest-doesn't much matter!
All that matters is that you
should believe what Dan told you
a few minutes ago-whst l have
told you now!
Under the slim hands Fanshawe
stirred. She pressed them sudden
ly closer upon his shoulders, and
now there was a tremulous, vibrant
note in her voice.
Listen" she said. "A few
months ago-I should not have
cared whether you believed or not
But--two things have happened to
me---which make your faith in me,
your love for me, your trust Of
me the dearest possessions that ]
have in all the world! One Of
those things-is the most wonder
ful that can happen-to any man
and woman whom-God hath
joined"
She falter, brokenly to a stop.
For one instant Fanshawe sat quite
still, cropping stupidity for the
meaning that underlay those
words. Then his hands flashed up
and closed upon her wrists. He
pulled her round, bringing her half
stumbling to her knees against him.
Fancy" he whispered, hoarsely
-"Oh-my girl-what do you
mean? p"
She drew sudden little sigh
ing breath and closed her eyes.
In his hold she hung rather Imply
her head drooped wearily-but
there was a little, strange smile
upon her lips.