The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-09-14

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"A Novel
By THOMAS COB3
Author Of Mr.. PAssinsham'
THE Judgment Of Helen. etc.

make any ulUSIeHCS. OuS SeAA 6OS
over the facts. Only, Pauline, they
occurred two years ago want you
as they have left you'll want you as
you are today. believe can make
you happy
oh, am sureI she cried. 1t is
not that
Tell me what it is, he urged. Let
me know where we both stand
Pauline sat with her hands claspeo,
staring silently before her for few
minutes. Then she said
You know how Wray first entered
into my life. You we're at Mrs. Ven
ables' house the afternoon she intro
duced him to me IL loved him
Can | say more than that2 l never
doubted that ne would ask me to be
his wife. l hoped So Then, you
remember, we heard he was leaving
England | met him at Mrs. Bishops
dance-you were there also. / hum
bled myself He told me why he was
going, and IL think | ceased to be
reasonable thing. We stood up to
saw how weak | was, how shamefully
l exposed myself 1t is bad hearing
for you, she murmured, as Gilbert
rose and turned away impatiently.
After a few turns about the room
he came back to his chair and sat
down again.
Well?' he said.
'Wray went away Pauline contin-
ued BY and by, though not imme-
diately, came to my senses. | saw
that the love l had cherished was
sin. His wife was alive. prayed
that might have strength enough to
put Wray out of my heart. 1 strug-
gled hard. am trying to show you
my very SOUL she cried excitedly, as
God only has seen it until now |
think even tried to put you In
Wray's place.
Gilbert folded his arms.
Well he said again. almost dog
gedly.
Have l succeeded?' she answered.
There lies my doubt! Have sue
ceeded? am afraid to say. Sup
pose Wray were here suppose he
were freel know he is not free,
and that he is thousands of miles
away But if he we're, and | had to
choose, should choose you-or him!'
Gilbert clenched his teeth, and drew
deep breath between them.
THAT is what prevents me, said
Pauline. How can l place my hand
in yours and promise to be your wife
with that doubt haunting me! II
Wray were free, should choose you,
or would my old love for him reviveY
She seemed to be appealing to him
for aid, imploring him to help her to a
right decision. But the fact was that
Gilbert found it impossible to dis
criminate with her refinement. In
stead of an arbitrator, he was a spe-
ciaI pleader. Though he writhed un-
der the lash of her self-analysis, her
beauty, enhanced by her somewhat
unwonted emotion, fascinated him.
The dead can't come to life again.
he said grufiy.
But is it quite dead? cannot tell.
I feel afraid to trust myself
If it were not dead he urged,
could you be talking Of it now to me?'
There is no man whom FL like as
like you, she cried. There is no
one l respect SO highly. believe we
should be happy together. | shall
never marry any one else.
Good God, he said vehemently,
what more do you suppose a man can
wanti'
I know what a woman wants. she
answered with the faintest OF smiles.
4 have tried to imagine myself en-
gagged to you, then Wray's coming. |
know how unlikely almost impos-
sible 1t is. never expect to see him
again, l never wish to see him; that
is my honest convictionl But if he
came-oh, l should be afraid to trust
myself
4 should not be afraid to trust you,
he insisted.
Gilbert she said i have tried to
show you how it is with me- II you
think about it well, and say am
Justified
'Paulinel' he exclaimed, stepping
eagerly towards her
After thinking it well oyeri'
i have thought of nothing else for
the last two years,
But then You did not know. Nowl
am keeping nothing back
Only yourself, darling.
I will not, she answered. If you
think me worth having
Worth having!'
Z will not withhold even myself
But you shall not decide today You
must think about it,
sAll the thinking in the world won't
make a scrap of difference, he in
sisted. Don't keep me on the rack!
Give me your promise now.
Sne shook her head decidedly.
THAT is my condition at present.
she said. AT present you are under
kind Of glamor And understand, you
are entirely free
L shall come tomorrow, he cried.
1t must be in the evening, then
after dinner shall expect you at
nine O'clock she said