Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-08-20

with I'm effort, her voice deep ana low
with emotion. $50 like him II was
frightened. / thought he had" She
broke off abruptly, lowered her head
In an attempt to hide from him the
trembling lips and chin and to regain.
If possible, the composure that had
been so desperately shaken. wait"
she cried, stridently. wait! Do not
go away. Give me time TOTO"
"There is no need for US to pro-
long" he began in a harsh voice.
'I will not keep you long," she inter-
rupted, every trace of emotion vanish
ing like a shadow that has passed. She
was facing him now, her head erect,
her voice steady. Her dark, cavernous
eyes were upon him; he experienced
an odd, indescribable sensation-as OF
shrinking-and without being fully
aware of what he was doing, replaced
his hat upon the table, an act which
signified involuntary surrender on his
part.
"Where is ViolaT he demanded
sternly. "She left word for me to come
here. Where is she?'
"She is not here" said the woman.
She has gone over to spend the after
noon with Efie Wardlow. l will be
frank with you This Is not the time
for misunderstanding. She asked
Isaac Stain to give you that message
at my request-or command, II you
want the truth. l sent her away be-
cause what / have to say to you must
be said in private. There is no one
III the house besides ourselves. VIII
you do me the favor to be seated9
Very well; we will stand"
She walked to one Of the windows
nd drawing the curtains aside, swept
he yard and adjacent roadway with
long, searching look.
The strong light fell full upon her
face; Its warmth seemed suddenly to
paint the glow Of life upon her pallid
skin. He gazed at her intently. Out
of the past there came to him with
stal thing vividness the face of the Ra-
che Carter he had known. Time and
the toll of long, hard hours had brought
deer burrows to her cheeks, like lines
| chis lied In q face Of marble, but they
had not broken the magnificent body
/ of the Rachel Carter who used to toss
him joyously into the air with her
strol young arms and sure hands.
But there was left NO sign OF the
broad, rollicking smile that always at.
tended those gay rompings. Her lips
we're frm-set, straight and unyieldina
a hard mouth fanked by what
seemed to be absolutely il1movable
lines.
| She faced him, standing Sith her
back to the light
Sooner or later we would have had
to meet" she said. ut is best for both
Of us to have it over with at the very
start"
II suppose you are right" said he
stiffly. "You know how feel toward
you, Rachel Carter. There is nothing
either of us can say that will make
the situation easier or harder, for that
matter"
T! "Yes-I understand" said she calm
ly. "You hate me. You have been
brought up to hate me. / do not ques-
tion the verdict Of those who con-
demned me, but you may as well un-
derstand at once that I do not regret
what l did twenty years ago. l have
not repented. / shall never repent
We need not discuss that side of the
question any farther. You know my
history, Kenneth Gwynne. You are
the only person in this part OF the
world who does know 1t. When the
controversy first came up over the set
tlement of your fathers estate,
feared that you would reveal the story
Of my"
He held up his hand, interrupting
her. II can say to you now, Rachel
Carter, that do not intend to rake
up that ugly story. / do not make
war on helpless women"
Her lips writhed slightly, and her
eyes narrowed as II with pain. 1t was
but a feeting exposition Of vulner-
ability, however for in another instant
she had recovered.
"You could not have struck harder
than that IL you had been warning
against a strong man." she said
gently.
A hot flush stained his cheek. ut
is the way I feel, nevertheless, Rachel
Carter" he said deliberately.
"You can think Of me only as
Rachel Carter" she said. my name Is
Rachel Gwyn. Still it doesn't matter.
am past the point where ! can be
hurt. You may tell the story II 1t
suits your purpose. / shall deny moth
ing. I wanted you to come here to-
day, to see me alone, to hear what
have to say-not about myself-but
about another. I am q woman OF
quick decisions. When learned early
this morning that you would be In
Lafayette today, I made up my mind
to take a certain step-and ! have
not changed IT !"