Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-31

arch, lealed glass in the lining room
windows beyod It, Eut II" caught
glimpse Of himself III n mirror, and saw
himself Il shabby contrast - III" former
days
Ilc faced her, still with thnt unex-
pocted composurc, and he saw her very
| little changed. Even the movement
with which she came toward him with
both hands out was familiar.
"Tud :" she said. "Oh, my dear
He saw ,ha. she was proirund,y
moved. and suddenly lie was sorry for
her. Sorry for tho years behind them
both. for the burden she had carried,
for the tears in her eyes.
Dear old l;ev, :" no said
She put her head against his shoulder.
and cried unresirainedly; and he held
her there. saving small. gentle, soothing
things. smoothing her hair. But all the
time he knew that life had been playing
him another trick; he felt n great ten.
d"rn"ss for her and profound pity. but
he did not love her, or want her. He
SAW that after all the suffering and
waiting. the death md exile. he was
left at the end with nothing. Nothing
AT all.
When she was restored 10 a sort "s
tense composUre he found 70 his dis
r"mfort that wumanl!ke she intended -
aba>" herself thoroughly and completely.
SHr implorcd his forgiveness for his long
exile. gazing a, him hunbly. and when
hc said il, n matter. of fact tone that he
had been hHrry. giving him look which
showed that she Thought lie was lying
II save her unhappneSs.
, You arc trying to make it easier for
ne. But | know. Jud.
I'm telling you the truth" he said.
PATIENTLY. "TLcrc's one point | didn
think necessary to tell your brother.
For a good while ! didn't remember
anyrhing about il. II il hadn't been
Tor that-woiI. | don't know. Anyhow.
DON'T look nt me as though l wiliu.ly
saved YOU. didn't
She sat still. rondorinS that. AMI
twisting a ring on her finger.
What do YOU mean TO do:" she
asked. after 4 pause.
Il don't fncw. III ma somcthinG.' -
"Nou won't 90 back :" your work.
II don't 500 how | can. I'm in
hiding. in II sort ii casual fashion,
To his inten>" discontinue >h" began
70 cry again. She rou.dn'r GO through
with it. She wouli e. back 10 Norada
and tell the Th"." thing. Sh" had
Ict Fred tnt!u"nre her, but she saw
now sh" coUldn': do il. Bur for ia"
first time lie felt that in this one thing
, She was no, sincere. Her grief and
abasement had been real enough. but
now he f",t she was acting.
suppose We don't 60 into that now,
I he said G., "You'vc had about
all you can stand" II" got up awk-
wardly., II suppose you are playing
ton!ght:'
she nodded, looking up at him
dumby.
Better lie down. then and--forset
me-" He smiled down at her.
I've never forgotten you. Jud. And
now. seeing You again--l--'
Her face worked She continued 70
look up at him. p!teously. The ap-
palling truth came TO him then, and
that part OF him which had remained
detached and aloof watching, almost
smiled at the irony She cared for him,
out of her memories she had built up
something 10 care for, something no
NOR" himself than she was the woman
of his dreams; but with this difference.
thar she was clingiug, woman fashion.
to the thing she had built, and he
had watched it CrvUhle beShre his eyes
'W!ll YOU promise 70 60 and rest?'
Yes. II you say So.
She was nrGu!nSrent and humble. Her
eyes were soft. faithful, childlke.
"I'vc suffered so, Jud.'
II know"
"You don't hate ne, DO you:"
"Why should !: Lust remember th.s:
while YOU were carrying this burden.
was happier than I'd ever been. III
tell you about il sOme time
She got up. and he perceived that sh.
! expected him again 10 take her in his
arms. Iln folt ridiculous and resentful.
and rather as though he was expected
70 kiss the hand that had beaten HIN,
but when she came close 70 him he put
an arm around her shoulders.
"Poor Bcv." he said. We've made
pretty mv,h q mess NJ II. haven't wef"
He pattci her and let her 60. and
her eyes followed him as he left the
! room. The elder brotherl!ness Of that
embrace had told her the truth as ne
} could never have hurt her in words.
She went back 70 the chair where hs
had sat, and leaned her cheek against II
After time she went slowly up-
stairs and into her room. When her
maid came in she found her before
the mirror Of her dressing table, star.
, ing at her reflection with hard. ap.
nraising eyes.
Ies.ic's partner. wandering into the