Evening star., 1923-05-23
ToDAY'S INSTALLMENT
NNNNU.-THE WIRELESS MES
SAGE.

Her face did not betray the seethin :
emotion that was gripping her very
soul. The ships bells tollcd off the
hour. 1t was getting very late: they
could not remain there very much
longer: what would her answer lie?
He thought of Clairena, beautiful.
faithful 'ClaireRa. who loved him so.
and who had the first right 10 his
devotion: then he looked at the girl
10y his side. for whom he had 10
love, only pity. and he stifed with
difficulty the groan of despair that
rose TO his lips,
Jil-Bett realized. dimly, that he
was waiting for her answer, the
words she must speak to decide this
Clairena's fate. as well as her own
her lips moved, but no sound came
from them. She, too, heard the ships
bells, and realized it was getting late
that what she said must be said
quickly.
He had said: Put yourself in
Clairena's place, and realize how you
would decide" If Clarena was in
her place. how would she decide ?
Would she give up the man she loved,
and who was bound to her, for an
know?
This problem faced her
Then like a thunderbolt out of a
clear sky came to her the realiza-
ton that his desires should weigh
deciding the situation. IL she should
keep him from Clairena. he would
deSpse her. He had declared in that
other interview that he should go
away so far she would never look
upon his face again, SO what would
she gain by holding to an unwilling
mate?
y few drops of moisture fell upon
her upturncd face, seemingly from
the star up 10 which she gazed. She
thought they must be angel tears
that her young mother was looking
Gown upon her. weeping for the great
sorrow that had overtaken her poor
little child
The wind was freshenfng. a chill
breeze crept over the waste of water
l-Bett did not even feel il. the fire
should she decide? Judgment said
Give him up Her heart said, mo.
no."
At length he broke the awkward
prolonged silence. AT sunrise tomor-
row We shall land in New York" he
began.
Yes" she answered with a slight
catch in her breath. land You will
hasten to the beautiful girl you love"
That will he impossible now" he
said. more to himself than her.
She turned her face toward him: he
saw il Was vet with tears az shall
not stand between YOU and happiness
Jack. she said in a low voice. which
puIVcrcd pitcously. in spite of her ef-
forts at scIf-control. Il intend to set
you free"
She saw "A quick. glad light leap into
his eyes, and "a flush mount to his face
After a moment of deep. hushcd si-
lencc. he turned TO her. asking: WHY
would YOU do this for me? Why
because ] love you" she said with
rhild-likc simplicity. 1t did not occur
to her not to answer him truthfully
y deep silence followed her words :.
he did not know what to say; he look
ed at her tiXcdly. II had not dawned
upon him that he was so dear to her.
that she would consign herself to a
lfetime OF sorrow that he might find
happiness. Standing there looking
down into her face, over which great
tears were falling slowly. he Won
dered how il was possible she could
have given such a great love un-
sought.
Poor little Jil-Bett, He pitied her
profoundly. The nobility of the girl,
the stupcndous sacrifice she would
make for him, because she loved him
and wanted him to be happy, though
that happiness meant life with an
other. touched him to the hearts core
Impulsively he took her two little
cold. f1uttering hands in his. The
thought swept over him how much
more noble she was than he. She was
willing to make a supreme sacrifice
for him: had he shown a desire to
make a life sacrifice for her? She
held him bound fast to her by the
most solemn of ties--marriage' She
WAS his wife, he her husband. who had
taken upon himself the solemn vow
TO -cleaye unto her, and protect her,
until death should them part. Could
he. allow timid, loving girl to be
head and heart were in whirl.
Il am going in now. To know that
l have been the cause of giving
YOU happiness, will always Ue a dear
thought to me. keeping my heart from
breaking. When you think of me.
poor, unhappy Jil-Bett, try to think of
me kindly, and at my best. Would
YOU mind-would it be wrong for me
to crave from you a goodbye kiss?
Remember. ! am going out of your life
forever"
Mechanically he drew her toward
him; his arms closed around the slen-
der little figure trembling in his close
clasp, He bent his head down, their
lips met-his. and the poor little
Lrfde's whom he was putting away
from him that he might be happy with
another. his poor, noble jill -Bett,
whose love for him was like no other
love. Us
He was sorry for JiI-Bett; up to that
moment he had quite forgotten that
she loved him, tao-t He realized how