Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-11-13
What a Liar
She Was
By IONA DAVIDSON


NAoOINiA
~ tlently at the call of weak voice
that came from an inner room. She
had been watching the tall, virile form
of Doctor Gresham as he passed
through the gate and entered the car,
waving good-by to her, and her eyes
were heavy with the memory of the
kiss she had permitted him to give her
while the Man slept in the darkened
ROOM
Now the Man had awakened and
his call had taken the sunshine out
of her eyes and the eager youthfulness
from her face. Yet, when she entered
the sick room she smiled and softly
asked:
rs there something can do for
you, dear?"
"What did the doctor say2" the Man
asked, weakly. you two seem to have
a lot of secrets; could scarcely hear
your voices" Suddenly he said:
Gresham loves you, Elizabeth"
The color flooded Elizabeths face
and she turned quickly away. It was
true, And 1t was sweet Gresham did
love her and only thls-thls mistake
stood between her and happiness.
"You-you-love him2" the Man
asked, timldly, his voice weak with
fear. "You don't love him, Elizabeth"
mo, dear, no, no." she said, and
pressed her soft mouth against his
wasted throat. 81 only love you, only
you, dear"
Sometimes, Elizabeth" he said,
with a pathos that hurt her, some
times l think of the terrible price you
have paid for your little happiness.
When we did It"
on
"When we ran away, believed I
could make you happy. Always re-
member that l believed could make
you happy, won't you, dear2 But you
were eighteen and II was forty"
"Hush," she said, soothlngly, hush,
You VIII only excite yourself l sacrl-
feed nothing and have nothing to
regret. You have made me happy, al
ways. It was you who paid the price.
You gave up your home and your chill
dren, your business and your friends,
you even dlsgraced the name you were
so proud Of, for my sake, and all
have given you hns been my foolish
love. Yet I did do love you"
"Do you really love mer he asked,
eagerly.
For moment Ellzabeth's eyes
closed and her face was drawn and
old then she silently answered by
pressing the Man still closer to her
breast; she kissed him and croOned
over him, calling him thousand en-
dearlng names, until he fell asleep
When she arose to her feet and gen
tly placed his head back on the pillow.
her lips were as white as her cheeks.
God What liar am. What n
farce life u.s." she whispered. 1.-TWO
years ago I asked only the right to
bear his name, to tell the world / was
his wife, to forget the shame of being
Just the other woman, and then
she died | was glad. II meant that
he was all mine and we need never
hide any more"
She tried to count the few months
that the ecstasy Of possession had
thrilled her and was conscious that
though the fire had swiftly burned out,
there had always been feeling Of
ineffable peace until she met Gresham
And while she unused upon him she
heard his step on the walk and sprang
forward to meet him. In the moon
light she searched his face and Its
peculiar expression chilled her.
'IIOw Is her he asked. tersely.
about the same" she answered
what Is the matter7 Is anything
wrongT
"Yes," he said. 81 don't know how
to tell you this Elizabeth, but have
been fighting with myself ever since
since this afternoon and even before
love you, dear" lie paused.
"WelT she questioned.
you Will have to get another doctor
for him. ! am afraid to trust myself
can't help hoping don't shrink like
that. ! am not murderer, but I hate
him because he dared wreck your life
with his selfish passion and hate him
because ! love you. The temptation Is
terrible A little negligence. the wrong
medicine-GOd | cant face It, girl.
Don't listen to me, the temptation is
damnabe. ! cannot attend him any
longer"
Elizabeth stood silently facing the
clear sky, and the expression In her
eyes startled Gresham.
He tried TO take her In his arms, but
she fought herself free.
"Tell me-" she commanded, and
grasped his wrist until her fingers
seemed to press the bone. Tell me,
have yOu-dO you mean"
"Elizabcth," Gresham said, sharply,
II have at least little honor. | am
not murderer. | simply asked you
to take the temptation from me-"
Elizabeth suddenly sobbed and
pushed him aside.
"DOn't touch me-" she said, don't
dare touch me. I'm going TO get an
other doctor / want him to live, !
want him to live, didn't lie, ! love
him, oh, how love him"
And Gresham watched her stumble