Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-16
.xn HERE RI CONTINUES

E 100 AND HERE IT CONTINUES
WARDEN had loved Lilith--loved
III her still. Beyond that fact, she
4 ss1aM ace nothing. realize nothing: but
= was there before her mind like q
laming sword. .
- Sis own, not In the least because ne
lgeafed for her; not In the least because
Il had wished to have her for his own.
Harden touched her arm.
s.Moily. we arc just at the hotel"
she looked up with wild eyes.
az want to 60 home; let me 90 home.
iome." =,
"You'rc talking nonsense he said
roughly. "Please remember that you
are my wife. I vii! talk to you direct
II, Please be sensible
But Molly was past reasoning with.
She realized that 1t was not 80 much
he telegram as his reception OF 1t that
lad reused the slumbering suspicion In
her heart. She followed him into the
iotel mechanically. She stood by In
iho big lounge while porter brought
IL their luggage. Then Harden spoke
aeain, and she found herself moving
i With him across the hall and up the
stairs.
at Molly interestedly. Molly wondered
ii every one knew that they were newly
married.. She glanced down at her ring.
it seemed to hang like q weight on hei
finger.
room into which she had been shown
and looked out into the street. 1t was
4 quiet. ugly street with rows of houses
that all looked alike; their high roofs
shut out most Of the sky and gave
everything a dreary aspect.
Harden came into the room behind
her. He closed the door and followed
her to the window.
"Molly," he began. She turned. He
was looking at her anxiously. well"
he said with smile. what am / to
say to be forgiven? What can l do to
convince you that there Is nothing 81
very terrible in my life after all!'
The banter Of his voice hurt her. She
understood now that he had always
treated her as child, never as wom-
On! She had grown very wise during
the last hour.
For q moment she did not answer.
then suddenly she found her voice.
''lf Mr.. Fernald had died month
sso, you would never have married me,
/ would you?" she said.
The hot blood rushed to his face; his
eyes fell.
Molly turned away and groped for n
.ehsir. She felt as il some Que had
struck her. She dropped into the chair
and hid her face on her arm. She looked
q forlorn little bride sitting there in
The wedding finery Of which she had
been go proud.
4 Harden walked a step away and came
back.
'"Molly." he said gently. He knclt
down beside her. and tried to make her
look up. Listen, Molly, and I'll tell
you the whole truth. I should have
told you-some day--anywny. It's only
that you will hear it little sooner"
He took the hand that lay in her lap;
the hand that wore his very new ring.
II knew Mrs. Fernald years ago-be-
fore she was married. I-khe--wc
were engaged--just for a little while, a
few months. l was a poor man then,
Molly not rich enough to buy her all
to: frocks and pretty things she wanted;
and $3.50 she threw me over"
He stopped. and for some moments
there was silence. Then he began once
more.
II never saw her from the day shc
sent me away till met her with you
in Little HelptOn, when you were look
ing over the house next yours. You
must have seen that the meeting was
not happy one for me"
!. Molly made little convulsivc move
ment. She knew she had been blind
miserably blind not to have guessed
then.
Meeting her like that" Harden
went on with difficulty. "reopened all
ne old sores. IL suppose | cared for
her more than she ever cared for ME
A. any rate, when ] saw her again, I
xnew that I had never really for
gotten"
Molly's hand was torn suddenly from
nh. She lifted her head and looked
at him with wild eyes.
And YOU never cared for me; you
Just made use OF me. oh, why didn't
guess! Why didn't I guess?'