The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-11-16
CHAPTER viII-continusd.

with him for months. At first WASH,
strong enough to go away. and then
after while, l tried. But / was toe
lonely and sorrowful. In the spring
loved him. l thought loved him. He
wanted me. l was all alone In the
world. / didn't know that he loved
another woman. l thought she was
dead-like Pierre Prosper had clothes
for her there. I suppose-Tve thought
| 1t out since-that she was to leave as
II for short journey, and then secret
ly go on that long one, and she
couldn't take many things with her.
So he had beautiful stuffs for her
and little suit to wear in the snow.
That's how / came to call her the tall
child seeing that little suit, long and
narrow. This letter came one
morning, one awfully bright morning.
He read 1t and went out and the next
day he went away. Afterward found
the letter torn in two beside his desk
on the floor. took II and I've always
kept 1t. The tall child He looked
so terrible when l called her that.
3. And she was your Betty all
the timel"
Yes" said Moreno slowly. "She
was my Betty all the time" He gave
her twisted smile and put the two
papers carefully into an inside pocket.
Il am going to keep this letter, Jane.
Truly the ways of the Lord are past
finding out"
Joan looked at him In growing I'M
easiness. Her mind, never quick to
take in all the bearings and the conse-
quences of her acts, was beginning to
work. what are you going to do with
1t, Mr.. Morena? / don't want you to
do Betty hurt. She must have loved
Prosper Gael Perhaps she still loves
him"
This odd appeal drew another diff
cult smile from Betty's husband.
Quite obviously she still loves him,
Jane. She is divorcing me so that she
can marry him."
but, Mr.. Morena, l don't believe he
will marry her now. He is tired of
her. He is that kind OF lover He gets
tired. Now he would like to marry
me. He told me so. Perhaps-if Betty
knew that-she. might come back to
you. without branding her"
Jasper was startled out of his venge-
full stiffness.
Prosper Gael wants to marry you?
He has told you so?'
yes" She was sad and humbled.
Nov he wants to marry me and once
he told me things about marrying. He
said"-Joan quoted slowly, her eyes
half-closed in Prosper's manner, her
voice a musical echo of his thin, vi
brant tone" It's mans most studied
insult TO woman"
Yes, that's Prosper" murmured
Jasper.
81 wouldn't marry him, Mr.. Moreno,
even If l could-not If l were to be-
burnt for refusing him."
Jasper looked probingly at her, a |
new speculation In his eyes. She had |
begun to fit definitely into his plans.
It seemed there might be a way to
Illustrate Betty and to keep a hold ]
lpon his valuable protegee. Are you
70 sure of that, janet"
'Ah !" she answered; "you doubt 1t
because l once thought loved him?
But you don't know all about me. :"
He stood silent, busy with his weav-
ng. At last he looked at her rather
lankly, impersonally. Joan was con-
cious of frightened, lonely chill. She
nut out her hand uncertainty, a
wrinkle appearing sharp and deep be-
ween her eyes.
M. Morena. please haven't any
ne but you. l don't understand very
7ell what this divorcing rightly
leans. Nor what they will do to me.
Touldn't ask 1t, for l know you are I'M
Apply and bothered enough, but, you
ee1
He did not notice the hand. at I
I'LL come out right. Jane. Don't
'orry," he said with absent gentle
ess. Keep your mind on your work
II look out for your best interests.
e sure Of that" He came near to
er, his hat In his hand, ready to go.
Try to forget all about it, will your
"Oh, can't do that. / feel sort Of {
urnt. Betty thinking-thatl But III 1
o my work just the same, of course"
She sighed heavily and sat. the un.
oticed hand clasped In its fellow.
When he had gone she called nerv- '
lsly for her maid. She had hither- v
} unknown dread of being alone. But I
hen Mathilde, chosen by Betty. came z
18th her furtive step and treacherous I
res, Joan invented some duty for her. v
occurred to her that Mathilde might /
! one Of Betty's witnesses. For some S
me the girls watchfulness an1 in a
usions had become irritatingly no
ceable. And Moreno was Joan's only s
equent and informal visitor.
"Mathilde thinks ! am-thati'' Joan o
id TO herself: and afterward with a il
Irst of weeping, "And. of course that n
what / am" Her past sin pressed
ION her and she trembled, remember 81
9 Pierre's wistful, seeking face. If /
should find her now, he would find y