Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-18
CHAPTER xxx
Lilith Learns the Truth

lIltth Learns the Truth
Some one called Molly from the room.
and Lilith was left alone. She sat up,
and the pensivc lines OF her face hard.
ened. There was little pucker between
her eyes; she would have given q great
deal to know how she stood In Molly's
estimation.
The girl had liked her once, she
knew; had she changed?
She was such a child; she laughed
and Chartered with Wharton as II she
were a schoolgirl; John looked years
and years older than she; 1t seemed
absurd that they were really husband
and wife. Only that night at dinner
she had noted afrssh the disparity in
their ages and In their manner.
and silent: Molly facing him in her
childish white frock, laughing and talk
ing nonsense.
If Alec had died one day sooner-the
thought left her mind almost before she
knew it she caught 1t back In panic.
Oh, how could she think that! How
could she ever have wished 1t for ono
moment? She who would have given
ten years Of her life to have kept him
with her just for one more moment.
She bit her lip till the blood came.
She hated this suffering. hated this
deadly feeling of loss which never
seemed to lessen suffering was alien &c
her nature: all her life she had had
what she wanted. and now not all her
scheming or longing could break down
the barrier of the grave.
The door opened. and Harden came
into the room he did not see her at
first he stopped when she raised he,
k.n ,An .sAl hA Q,ah hnI Ten
barrassment.
wife was here"
He always spoke Of Molly as my
wife," whenever he had occasion to
mention her to Lilith. He hesitated az
Il he would have gone away, but Lilith
'''yp aES. please don't 20. Molly was here
a minute ago. She will be back di-
rectly.' She dried her eyes, and thrust
the absurd handkerchief away; she
tried to smile.
"What a beautiful room this is,
John" she said. II have never seen it
before"
He glanced round.
DO you like it7 It's not a favorite
He spoke as If he did not feel at his
ease; he stood looking down into the
fire:
lucky girl she is,," Lilith said.
You are m very kind; Ind w;.S Me smiled smiled
She raised her eyes.
"Am I to answer that question:" she
asked.
He met her gaze steadily.
mot unless you wish it was fool.
ish question to have asked
"Yes," she said. "It was-to me! ~
He frowned; he realized that he had
been foolish to stay; If Molly came in
and found them here. would she care !
Lilith pulled another cushion into
place behind her shoulders.
"Aiolly tells me that you are losing
your secretary" she said.
Eyes" 1t was impossible to Judge
anything by his face or voice.
"You will be sorry?" she hazarded.
"Very sorry; no suits me we'll.
shal! keep him on II no changes his
mind"
She opened her eyes wide.
"You don't mean that! Why
"Why not?" he asked; there was a
chilliness in his voice, but she wa. not
warned.
She crossed the room and laid her
hand on his arm.
"John, I can't help it IL you are an.
cry with me-" she said with breathless
haste. my only excuse Is that we arc
such old friendsS and that want you
to be happy. Can't you see-oh, surely
you must see what is going on here
Mr.. wharton" Something in hi!
stern face checked her.
Yes, said Harden "Mr. Wharton
go on"
She tried to laugh.
"You are angry with me. know
you are! ! suppose ! should not hav'
spoken. but Molly 's 10 youns--such
'She Is my wife!" said Harden.
"But you don't love herl' Lilitl
said. "You cant love her. It's sucl
a little while since y0u--since you ant
l. Oh, John, II you had only waited
it wouldn't have been long, and l.
Her white hand rested on his Goa
sleeve, and hc let it lie there, lookini
down at it with q curious expression j,
Once her touch had thrilled him 4
the very soul; the sound Of her voic'
had been the sweetest music In tn
world; he wondered II all m.n wer
naturally fckle that even he hat
changed so suddenly and entirely.
Then he raised his eyes to her face
flushed like a rose.
"It was you who sent me away fv'
years ago.. he said Internationally. 81
didn't thank you for 1t at the time; bu
now, perhaps, after all It was tn
Rreatest Kindness you ever did me-"