The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-02-01
FALSE GODS


the power Of swayiDg men and with q
glorious egotism,s Berry, was 10 very
truth a modern siren. 49, ~
Somewhere In her impulsive younger
days she had, without much Thought,
selected q husband from the eager
train of would-bes, and subsequent
life with him had satisfied her'fond-
est desires. Absorbed In the medical
profession, he allowed his adored wife
10 go about much us she pleased, and
only occasionally was reused to re-
monstrance against the few scraps Of
time which she devoted to him.
Loving and trusting her implicitly,
he considered IL unworthy Of that love
TO feel jealous Of the homage paid to
her by other men, and II tiny heart
ache came sometimes When he saw
charming wives who devoted every
thought TO their husbands. Beryl, ct
least, was none the wiser.
One night In June, u night pervaded
with a gentle, murmurous breeze and
faint rose fragrance, as Beryl and her
husband were preparing to leave the
cool comfort of their veranda for the
warm interior of the house they heard
the soft pairing of a motorcar coming
up the drive. All aglow at the prospect
of congenial company, Beryl ran light
ly down the steps to greet her guests.
She made an enhancing picture in
her filmy white gown and breeze-ruf-
fed hair, so Phil Armistead thought as
he sprang from the low, gray roadster
and helped his sister, Erdine, TO
alight.
what do you say to spin, folksT
lie queifed, heartfelt pleasure in the
beauty Of the night ringing in every
note of his voice. TOO peachy a
night to stay home. Get out that
classy racer of yours, Jack. and show
us some cool speed"
'Say, the idea does appeal pretty
strongly, at that, Phil. Slip on a coat,
Beryl, and I'll go wake up the garage"
laughed Jack and strobe away.
In a moment or two the machines
were ready to start, and Beryl, cheer
fully obedient to Pills eager look, set
tied herself snugly beside him. Jack,
with q rather wistful smile, helped
Erdine into his racer, and with a sud
9sp byGst 81 speed shot far ahead OF
the other slower car.
Left behind, Beryl and Phil found
ample pleasure in each others COM
pany, and ten miles slipped by before
they realized that the other car was
entirely out of sight. Then just ahead,
around a concealing bend in the road,
came sickening, grinding crash, a
terrified scream, then deadly, horrible
silence.
White-lipped and stern Phil drove
his car with trembling hands around
the bend to view a sight that brought
horror into his heart. A large touring
car had skidded on a wet patch OF
road and smashed into Jacks car with
enough force to totally wreck II and
throw out both occupants. The tour
ing car had taken the brunt of the
blow on its bumper, and the solitary
driver seemed unhurt as he bent over
Jack and Erdine. Jacks head was
bleeding profusely from deep scalp
wound, and Erdine, badly shaken up
and bruised herself, had nevertheless
dragged herself into sitting position
and was trying vainly to stanch the
flow of blood from his head with her
thin dress.
Beryl had uttered no sound, but
straight as homing pigeon had hur-
ried 10 Jacks side. Kneeling beside
him she attempted to take his head In
her lap but drew back startled at the
fierce look Erdine flung at her.
Leave him 10 me, Beryl," she cried.
IF he is to die want him to be in my
arms where he belongs. Oh, you can
look as Mortified as you please, but
your poor, shriveled-up little heart
could never appreciate a love like
mine. He is my man, and 1t has been
my torture for years to see the love
he lavished on you that l would sell
my very soul for. could have made
him happy. You never have, with
your cheap flirtations and angling for
admiration"
Jack stirred and opened his eyes.
Berry," he murmured, family, Berry,,
| wait you"
Erdine gently laid his head on the
grass, stood up and with a cry of In
tense bitterness dropped fainting into
her brothers arms.
He carried her to his machine,
where sympathetic women from
passing machine that had stopped out
Of curiosity set about the task Of re-
viving her. Then he hurried back to
Beryl who was trying, amid the most
scalding. binding tears she had ever
shed, TO bind up Jacks head with
strip from her gown.
The stranger from the luckless tour
ing car, who had been surprised lis
tener to the impassioned little speech
Erdlne had given, came forward and
assisted Phil in carrying Jack to the
car Beryl stepped In and gathered