The Washington herald., 1922-11-26
Grains Of Dust By Anthony Carlyle

her yeilsd eyes she flashed : lsek
ct him and wrsnched herself free.
~0h," shs cid. under her breath
-homs swsy--eems swayw
With trembling hand she drew
him after her. A. the door closed
Apon them, Fancy drew . long,
hard breath, and looked up.
Billy" she whispered, on .
sudden choking break Of tesrs-
@oh-Billy! Biliyw \
CHAPTER xxxIv.
r TER hand was upon his arm.
He put It away from him
gently, and swinging on his
heel crossed the room. Dropping
into Q 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 hadibeen
turned, Of sudden, upside down.
The thunder Of its ,upheaval was
still In bis ears. He did not know
what 70 think. He was conscious
only Of q dull psin 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 sui.
fering was Q pricking, persistent,
growing resentment He passed
hand across his eyes. and caught
his breath ~ he found her hands
upon his shoulders.
They were trembling o little,
and her voice WAS not quite steady
when she spoke.
~ cannot blame yOu," she said
just above her bresth-'if you do
not belieye-if there Is nothing
left In your heart for me but just
scorn and anger. It-sfter all
it would be natural. You know
that Dan was the man ! was to
have married. ] had tof Z you that
l 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 1t was
not too late, and give him that
happiness for which he had lived
and fought and struggled for four
long years."
She drew a 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. l told myself that
there would never be another love
in my heart. When he came back
when ] first met his eyes-I be-
lieved thst ! 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 I was CRATE
full to you! The very fact hat
you had helped me added to that
resentment! And 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
few minutes ago-what | have
told you now"
Under the slim hands Fanshawe
stirred. She pressed them sudden
ly closer upon his shoulders, and
now there was 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, groping 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
meant"
She drew q sudden little sigh
ing breath and closed her eyes.
In his hold she hung rather Imply
her head dropped wearily-but
there was q little, strange smile