Graham guardian., 1922-08-22
CHAPTER TX
The Face at the Window.

II was five days since Wilton had
been to the portage. He had not meant
to see Molly In his despondency, but
now the discovery Of Chambers
treachery came with an invigorating
shock and aroused his fighting instinct
against Bowyer.
He took the road across the Muskeg.
Wilton saw the girl upstairs, at the
factors side. A book was on her knees
and a lighted lamp behind her. She
was not talking to him, however, but
staring out of the window. and yet she
did not see Wilton as he came to the
door.
At his knock she came downstairs
more slowly than usual. When she
opened the door TO him he saw that
she WAS trembling. Her cheek was icy
cold beneath his kiss.
"CGne in. Will have something to
say TO yOu,'' she snid.
He put his arm about her, and they
went into the store together. He could
feel that she was trembling all the
while.
"What Is II, Molly?" he asked, look.
ing into her face and seeing tears In
her eyes. what Is ii, dear?"
I'm afraid that we've both made a
mistake, WILL" she answered.
Wilton laughed Once or twice Molly
had questioned his love for her, but he
had never had any difficulty in con-
vinclng her, In the usual lovers way.
Molly, dear, ! know have neglect.
ed you" he said penitently. "But you
know that until the works finished
can't ask you something, And I've
! been rushing II through. feeling that
then should have the right TO-"
Its not the work. WILL" she said.
slowly. Il want you to release me-"
The laughter died ON his lips. He
put his hands upon her shoulders and
turned her toward him. She raised her
| face; her lips were quIvering, and the
tears had fallen, leaving her eyes hard
and bright.
! You mean that, Molly?" asked VIII
ton gravely.
Every word Will"
"WhyT
II have ceased to care for you"
She was keeping control of herself
with strong effort, and she shook
more violently. she had nerved her.
self to offer an explanation, but now
face to face with him, she could not
tell him that she had been moved By
pity for him, and self-deceived. II wa
impossible for her to lie to Wilton.
'Molly"--she saw that his face wa
set hard as on that night Of the riot
II don't play with love. love you an
trust you. II you mean that, tell m
again, and that will be enough 70
me-
"I-meant II! Oh. can't you under
stand that have changed?" she erie
desperately. Il can never care 70
you, wiltonr
He released her and turned away
Goodnight. Molly" he said.
Yet he went slowly out Of the dool
and, because the shock had come wit
stunning force, he was amazed tina
she did not call him back. He coul
not make himself understood that q
his dreams and hopes Of Ave minute
before were broken. Not until he ha'
reached the portage. Then he stoppe
and looked back. The door OF the stor
was closed. The light still burned 1
the factors room and he saw Moll
cross toward him and fling herself o
her knees beside him.
He clenched his fists; but someho'
the violence that relieved his feeling
usually seemed to have no place her'
He couldn't understand. He wer
home slowly across the portage.
The factor looked up when Molly er
tered, and was Hstonished to see tn
tears upon her face When she kneele
down he put his hand clumsily upo
her hair.
"What has happened, lassT" h
asked. "was 1t VIII Carruthers y
quarreled withT"
"He win never come here again
said Molly.
A duh hre burned In the factor
eyes He seemed 10 be struggling b,
tween tive impulses: One was to con