The Glenwood post., 1924-12-11

hsw I
Presently She Rose Calmly to Her
panionship, and the desire for COM
panionship, on his part, for the subtler
and rarer gift which she herself had
been so ready to offer. Christopher,
she remembered, had even warned her,
more than year ago, at the villa in
Monte Carlo that night when they had
paced the terrace together. She had
refused to take him seriously, and he
had never once reverted to the subject.
1t had seemed to her, indeed, that he
had almost avoided MYRTLE during his
visits to Hinterleys, and she had com.
mended him for his discretion. Myr-
tile was sweet and full of charm, but
what use could she be as wife to an
ambitious man like Christopher? How
she herself could have helped with
her sympathy, her social influence. her
tact, to say nothing of her great for
tunsi It was amazing what follies
man could commit for the sake of
fancy! She could call 1t nothing elae.
Presently she rose calmly to Ter feet
and walked toward the house. Soon 1t
swallowed her up, the key was turned
In the door of her room. the long
minutes that passed were her own.
She never counted them then, she
never dwelt on them afterward. The
period Of her agony was in fact, short
enough. Her pride came to her res
cue. When her maid tapped on the
door she had already bathed her eyes,
and there remained. nothing to denote
her suffering but a little tired look
about her mouth and slight weari-
ness Of gait. She opened the door at
once.
"Mr. Bent is obliged to go back to
town almost Immediately, your lady
Ship the maid announced. He has
asked especially whether he could see
you for moment"
"Tell Mr.. Bent that shall be down
in five minutes" her mistress enjoined.
The maid departed, and Mary turned
once more anxiously to the mirror.
This was trial which she had
scarcely expected. Her fingers passed
over her face, anxious to smooth out it's
lines. Her lips moved, as though she
were uttering prayer She was, In
deed. appealing to herself, to the
womanhood. When she entered the
library where Christopher was wait
ing for her. she knew that she was
free from all trace of disturbance.
christopher. you don't mean that
you are going to leave us at once?'
she protested. And where is Myrtile7
] expected to see you both together"
II left MYRTLE where found her."
Christopher answered. little harshly.
"Will you keep my secret, please,
Mary, and forget my vlsit?"
Forget your vislt?" she repeated
wonderingly.
MYRTLE does not care for me-"
Christopher explained, mot In the way
I want her to. 1t is the same with her
now as from that first moment. 1
thought 1t was fancy of which she
might have been cured. l find 1t is
nothing of the sort"
At that moment Mary hated herself
hated the JOY which swelled up in her
heart. hated the sudden dlspassionate
rush of blood through all her veins.
the Sense of grotesque unreasonable
relief. She hated the lying words she
spoke.
"Oh, Christopher ! nm so sorry -
she said. II do not understand, but
I am very, very sorry"
MYRTLE loves Gerald" he con-
tinued. "She will love him all her
days. She is one of those strange
creatures who Will never change. to
whom love Is just one final thing for
good or for evil. She loved Gerald
when she stepped into the car and we
carried her with us along the road
around the end of which she had
woven all her dreams. She cares for
him so much that I nm not sure
whether, at the <bdttom of her pure
heart, she does not hate me because I
once kept them apart"
She laid her hand upon his arm
That sense of slckenlng Joy had gone.
She was woman again, feeling moth
Ing but sorrow for the suffering of her
man.
christopher, dear" she begged.