The Hope pioneer., 1922-12-14
The Kiss and
Renaorse
By PETER DuRANr


Walter Deepins was not singing In
the bathroom THAT morning as usual.
He was doing all sorts of things that
he had never done before. He was
cutting himself with his razor, and he
was trying to part his hair on the
wrong side. And in his mind was the
hideous knowledge Of his crime.
He ana Elizabeth had been married
nine years. They loved each other in
all orderly. nice way. They always
went away for their holidays together.
They had no children.
OF late Walter had begun to get
little uneasy. lie was still in love with
Elizabeth. but he was painfully aware
that their union lacked something. It
was pice-salt-s0nlething punkent.
1t was, in fact, becoming like some of
tnat homemade beer that looked all
right but wouldn't fzzle.
Jane Thanet was his wife's, best
friend. She was pretty. She had been
growing prettier for several months
past. There had been community
dance the night before. Walter had
danced with Jane. And he had
kissed her.
That was what was on his con
science. There, in the breakfast room.
was Elizabeth LAYING the table, hum
ming, happy as If deceit had never
lu:sed its mon&trous head between her
and her husband. And 1t was Eliza.
beth's uncGnsciousness that was the
hardest thing to bear. II she had
known il and upbraided him he would
haze looked Infinitely pathetic and
chuckleil inwardly.
But Elizabeth didn't know. For the
first time in their married life secret
lay between them-a secret sin.
The impulse to tell her was para
mount. and yet man couldn't do that.
No, he must bear the burden Of his
crime alone to the end of his days. He
must wear a cheerful face. he must
kiss Elizabeth, whose lips would ever
after SAVIOR of James.
He finished dressing and went out.
He sat down to the table
Walter. dear, don't you like your
eggs?" asked Elizabeth solicitously.
"Yes. they're fine, dear, flne." Walter
replied, looking into his wife's inno-
cent face.
Elizabeth came to him and put her
arms around his neck.
II expect you're worried over bust.
ness. aren't you. dearest" she said
Elizabeth's caresses were 90 hard
to BEAR Walter felt like q monster.
He averted his face. He was fighting
the fight of his life. II he told her and
cleared his conscience. despise him
though she might. though that first
fine faith of hers would be destroyed.
he could face the world like q man
again.
Eut that way lay dishonor. For
James sake he must carry his guilty
secret to the grave.
''Oh, eSerything's all right" he an.
swered carelessly. o
fast. Walter toyed with his, but at
last he could endure 1t no longer He
flung his napkin down.
81 guess I'm not as hungry 40 usual
this morning. dear" he said.
E!e got up. Elizabeth came to him
1T isn't anything serious, is it dear?"
size asked. "YOu know want to share
:*"lr troubles as well as your happt
ness"
''No. Elizabeth. it's nothing" an.
swered Walter, gulping.
He began putting on his overcoat.
He put on his hat. Elizabeth stood be-
side him in the hall. watching him.
We'll. gc0d-by. DEAR" he said. EN-.
hracing her. How that hurt! Espe.
cially the touch Of her lips-Jane's
lips.
He opened the door, Elizabeth was
calling him. Cod how he had wanted
I" get away. Then he saw that she
was smiling, just as II she knew-only
it was not bitter smile but loving
one. She put her arms around his
neck.
"Walter. dear. 1 know all about IT,"
she said.
"You know-7" he gasped.
"I'm so glad you didn't tell me.
was afraid you would. saw you
wanted to. shouldn't have thought
that quite nice Of you. Walter. I'm
proud Of you for not telling me-"
"You mean about"
"Ahout Jane. darling. You see, I'll
asked her to kiss you. Oh, I know Il
was silly Of me. but things have got
sort Of humdrum. haven't they? And
I wanted a little-a little spice in our
love, just so that you could realize
you loved me as much as you used to-"
He stared at her in amazement
"But-hut-it was I who kissed Jane"
he stammered.
Elizabeth smiled-such wise smile
"Ah. my dear. you've still got q lot to
learn. haven't you!" she answered,