Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-08-31
A Spectre of
the Past

Rv ELLA SAUNDERS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

lieyed it could never rise again. Their
life was an ideal one. Often Molly,
looking round the little fiat, with low
ing thoughts Of Jim in her heart, Won
dered how she could have deserved it.
Jim had a position with a trust com
pany, and Molly was an actress. A
''homey' actress. No champagne in
friends apartments, no little suppers
-. those days had gone by.
Sometimes Molly prayed with all her
heart to be more worthy of their hap
piness Then the gaunt spectre would
arise and stare at her. Those we've
hideous hours. II Tom knew, what
would he do? Would he just leave
her or-kill her?
But how could Tom know, when she
had put away all memories except dur
ing those very special hours Of In
trospection?
Always she-had the fear that some
thing would rise up from the past.
Always, slough it seemed impossible.
Then one evening she saw Cyril
watching her from the floor of the
theater, and she knew he had
recognized her as the little. country
girl who, years before had trusted
him. And she saw from his look that
the old infatuatiOn had returned.
A note at the stage door. 1t was no
use trying to avoid the inevitable.
Molly went down TO him. She lis
tened.
Cyril" she said, I'm married. l
have good home and good husband.
If you have any capability of remorse
if you want to make amendment, new
err see me again."
"Can the chatter, grille" answered
Cyril. "What about little JOY ride
for two, and supper?
= She stared at him, astounded that
she could ever have seen anything in
such man. What a gulf since those
years
"You see, know where you live,
grille" Cyril continued. 81 followed
you home last night and inquired of
the janitor Now it's up to you, girfie.
Z If you prefer, I'll call and have
chat with that hubble of yours"
She caught at his arm in despera-
ton.
.i'You wouldn't dare y she told him.
'sWouldn't l, grille! Which is it 60
ing to be? Say, be nice kid! Don't
you remember-T
She thrust her fist with all her force
into his grinning face and ran.
rrnlnn God
agony. But Cyril did not appear at
the theater and gradually Molly be-
gan to- hope again. ..,a.--s,. ------.--
Vg.fShope. When the bell of their
apartment rang the following Sunday
afternoon, Nelly knew, before she
opened it, that. it was Cyril. They
faced each other on the threshold.
swell, which is 1t to be? Quick,
kid!" he whispered.
atom" Molly called, '"This Is Mr..
Cyril Benham, who used to know me
i'm Leaderville."
AS Tom came forward Cyril's face
was a picture He went into the living
room, and gradually Molly saw his self
assurance returning. He began drop
ming hints. Oh, yes, they had been old
friends-sweethea He paused and
smirked.
81 congratulate you on your good
taste, Mr.. Benham," said Tom quiet
ly. while Molly suffered unbearably.
~ won't say that we aren't little
bit of what you might call atfinities,"
continued Benham. First love, you
know !"
"Quite So" said Tom.
"Of course, Pm not telling any
tales" Benham went on.
"Wise and prudent, Mr.. Benham.'
"What dyou mean. prudent?" Ben
ham demanded.
"Gentlemen who tell tales about
married women have to be pretty
quick with their hands when their
husbands are near by" answered Tom.
"You mean-W
'aThat l think Molly is still more to
be congratulated on not having mar
ried you," said Tom.
"Oh, / see I'm not wanted here J"
Benham answered, rising. "All right.
But l guess you WOuluH looh 50
SNUG if you knew-ha, ha If you
Just knew"
But Tom had risen too, and Mr.. Ben
ham made rather rapid exit from the
house. Tom saw him to the door,
and then came back.
"If I'd felt sure that blackguard
meant to bother you, I'd have kicked
him down the stairs" said Tom.
ooh, Tom ~ began Molly, sObbing.
aHom, can't bear 1t any more. I've
got to tell you"
"Not word, sweetheart" answered
her husband, folding her in her arms
"Tom, / must tell you"
Suppose know"
"You can't know. oh, I've Suffered
so much. How do you know, Toni
Do your And can you forgiYe--f'
.HusE, darling" he answered, press.
ing his lips to hers. Didn't you know
that sometimes ladies talk in their
IL