The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-05


 becomes a model for Hogard Preston. artist. A iofe affair developed which en1 ta ae1y ba1s 1ns nis eide to elope. But as they are about to sase of fire "W Which % swept U tlis Suburban town where his wife and baby are living. Pres ton and Kitty. hurry there to find the baby tell. m : Kitty she Knows of their love affair and oslers to release her husband to the girl on one condition. @ fE WTHAT did Charlie Clark want to w say? Kitty wondered idly while
 she redressed and went into the little parlor ta>greet the anxious-eyed youth. /
 You're safe-thank God for that Y he exclaimed as he rushed toward her and drew her into his arms. I'd heard about the fire and I knew you'd gone out there with Preston. know every thing, Kitty. But l, love you just the same. I'm glad you're back and that it's all over"
 "Is it?' she asked suddenly, without realizing the. impression her question would convey.
 "Of course it is,' he declared rather bluntly. live been out ,. to see Mrs. Preston and she told me what she had offered -
 N "You-what:" e
 Do you suppose Twas going to let that fellow get off so easily when I'd seen both of you at the station yester- day? Do you suppose I didn't intend to thrash him for his hypocricy"
 q must ask you to go" Kitty flared. q cannot permit you to talk of Howard in that vein. He is the one man l love. I offer no apology to anyone" :"
 She turned to go back to her bed room, but Charlie Clark caught her by the sleeve.
 .Then I'm going to ask you but one favor. Kitty" he said gravely, his gray eyes softened with love. II want you to promise that you'll come and tell me you've changed your mind when the time comes. I'll be waiting for you always. l want you to. promise only that
 She promised, without emotion. And Charlie Clark withdrew from the little parlor where he and. Kitty had spent so many happy hours before she had met and loved Howard Preston.
 When his figure had turned the cor ner, Kitty sank into lumpy armchair and watched the panorama of the crowded street below her window.
 Later that evening, she had another caller. whom her mother announced in tone of panic.
 Its none other than Preston him self, darlin'. Now tell him you'll be marvin Charlie day after tomorrow and 'tis no use his coming to see you. I'm fearful that my darlin' will be loving a married man if this keeps up"
 Her mothers innocence shocked her momentarily: If only the sweet, trust ing soul had known the fire of emo tional agony through which Kitty had passed within, few weeks. But that main unshaken. Above all, she would fair. r-
 Kitty smiled. at Preston as he came up to her and kissed her.
 My beautiful one," he began. "I know Marion has made an offer. 1 knew she would be generous. I've had it out with her tonight and my wife has agreed to give me my freedom. She tells me it rests on one term which she has made with you. Is that soy'
 T was 70 promise that r try to un- derstand you and be ready to make as many personal sacrifices for you as she has made. Those were her terms of surrender"
 Easy" he laughed. II thought Marion would be asking the impossible. Do you agree ?" he twinkled, knowing that Kitty loved him to the extent of any sacrifice.
 "Ah, that's just it." she astounded him by replying. I've been thinking over the entire scheme It won't work, Howard. It never has and never will" ''I don't understand, dear. Have you changed your mind about wanting me? You mean-you don't love me really ?'
 "It's not that" she went on quietly, lifting his hand to her lips. T love you madIy and always shall. But there is greater love than that which has drawn us together. It is a God-giyen thing which can never be broken by any mans law, It is the exquisite thing I saw in your face this afternoon when you sat at Cherries bedside and looked l-at-your baby in pain.
 Tt is the sort of love, dear, which is building this world of ours into q future paradise, generation by genera i tion. The love that is all understand ing sympathy. No sacrifice is too reat that will protest so fragile thing. That is why am ready to fulfill the terms which your wife has laid down for me. I'm ready to give you back to the little daughter to whom you really belong. mean" she said in a trembling voice, T mean that your love for your baby and her love of you is too fine and too strong a bond to be shat tered by love which has been built on association. Don't you s. , now, dear ? Don't you understand? It means tear ing something from my heart which can never be replaced, because true love comes only once to very woman"
 He turned his pallid features from her gaze for a moment, then lifted his hand to his eyes as if to blot out the pain of her words.
 'Maybe-maybe you're right, dearest. You told me once of your own fathers eloping with another woman. Cad" he exclaimed. 'the childhood you've sac