The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1923-02-01
The Kiss and
Remorse
BY PETER DURANT

Cr<S<<<tS<SSScSS>sS<
Co. 1922. Western Newspaper uniop)
Walter Deeping was not singing in
the bathroom that morning as usual.
He was doing all sorts of things that
he had never done before. He was
cutting himself with his razor, and he
was trying to part his hair on the
wrong side. And in his mind was the
hldeous knowledge of his crime.
He and Elizabeth had been married
nine years They loved each other in
an orderly, nice way. They always
went away for their holidays together.
They had no children.
OF late Walter had begun to get
little uneasy. He was still in love with
Elizabeth, but he was painfully aware
that their union lacked something. 1t
was ice-salt-something pungent.
1t was, in fact becoming like some of
that homemade beer that looked all
right but wouldn't fizzle.
Jane Thanet was his wife's best
friend She was pretty. She had been
growing prettier for several months
past. There had been a community
dance the night before. Walter had
danced with Jane. And he had
kissed her.
That was what was on his con-
science. There, in the breakfast room,
was Elizabeth, laying the table, hum
ming, happy as if deceit had never
raised its monstrous head between her
and her husband. And it was Eliza
beth's unconsciousness that was the
hardest thing TO bear. If she had
known it and upbraided him he would
have looked infinitely pathetic and
chuckled inwardly.
But Elizabeth didn't know. For the
first time in their married life a secret
lay between them--a secret sin.
The impulse to tell her was para
mount, and yet, man couldn't do that.
No, he must bear the burden of his
crime alone to the end of his days. He
must wear a cheerful face, he must
kiss Elizabeth, whose lips would ever
after SAVIOR of James.
He finished dressing and went out.
He sat down to the table.
walter, dear, don't you like your
eggs?' asked Elizabeth solicitously.
"Yes, they're fine, dear, fine" Walter
replied, looking into his wife's inno-
cent face.
Elizabeth came to him and put her
arms around his neck.
ness, aren't you, dearest she said.
EliZabeth's caresses were so hard
to bear Walter felt like a monster.
He averted his face. He was fighting
the fight of his life. If he told her and
cleared his conscience, despise him
though she might though that first
fine faith of hers would be destroyed,
he could face the world like a man
again.
But that way lay dishonor. For
James sake he must carry his guilty
secret to the grave.
"Oh everything's all right" he an
swered carelessly.
Elizabeth went on with her break
fast. Walter toyed with his, but at
last he could endure it no longer. He
flung his napkin down.
II guess Tn not as hungry as usual
this morning, dear" he said.
He got up. Elizabeth came to him.
at isn't anything serious, is it dear"
she asked "You know want to share
your troubles as well as your happi.
ness"
mo, Elizabeth, it's nothing" an
swered Walter, gulping.
He began putting on his overcoat.
He put on his hat. Elizabeth stood be-
side him in the hall, watching him.
"Well, good-by, DEAR" he said, en-
bracing her. How that hurt Espe-
clally the touch of her lips-Jane's
lips.
He opened the door. Elizabeth was
calling him. God, how he had wanted
to get away. Then he saw that she
was smiling, just as If she knew--only
1t was not bitter smile but a loving
one. She put her arms around his
neck.
"Walter, dear, I know all about It,"
she said.
"You know he gasped.
"Tm so glad you didn't tell me. /
was afraid you would. I saw you
wanted to. I shouldn't have thought
that quite nice of you, Walter. Pm
proud of you for not telling me-
"You mean about"
"About Jane, darling. You see, II
asked her to kiss you. oh, know II
was silly of me, but things have got
sort of humdrum, haven't they? And
I wanted a little--a little spice in our
love, just so that you could realize
you loved me as much as you used to-"
He stared at her In amazement.
"But-but-it was who kissed Jane"
he stammered.
Elizabeth smiled-such wise smile.
"Ah, my dear, you've still got lot to
learn, haven't you!" she answered.
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