The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1926-01-07
THE
CROSS OF
CFHVARY
By ALFRED B. oscooDBY
CO BY Short Story Pub. Col

GO BY Short story Pub. Co.,
~ DITH LowERRE sat with her
n elbows on her knees and her
IL face resting between her deli
cate hands. Her eyes were gaz-
ing straight at the man In front Of her
and there was more than friendliness
In their expression. Her cheeks were
flushed and her entire attitude denoted
intense interest and obvious pleasure.
II am so glad to see you again. You
don't know how often I have thought
Of you. We were such good friends
once" and little sigh, almost in
audible, followed. ........-. ......
Yes, good friends" Hugh Broughton
responded, and with slight hesitation.
In q lower tone, he added, almost
lovers"
Then, noting her heightened color,
he said quickly, "Forgive me, ] spoke
heedlessly." ..... ...- -
-. ''But only the TRUTH" she said dar-
ingly. 49,. ......
"A kind Of truth that Is dangerous"
he rejoined. 49,. ....,...
mot necessarily. The fact that I
am another mans wife eliminates any
possible danger in retrospection, and
surely there is no harm in agreeable
Renaissance" ....
"AgreeableT He smiled.
The flush of her cheeks crept closer
to her temples.
"Would you have me admit more?"
"You need not admit anything" he
answered. 1--WE both understand. But,
believe me. I did not come here to-
night with any intention Of discussing
the past. I expected to meet your hus-
band. To be frank, wanted to know
the man you preferred to me-"
II don't want you to meet Gerald"
she replied quickly. HE knows ]
Seved you-once," hesitatingly, with
her eyes downcast.
"Why should that interfere with our
being friends2 You belong to him,
and I respect his right of possession.
I am sure he would be magnanimous
under the circumstances. ->
"You are wrong. He hates you. If
he knew you were here tonight he
would kill both you and me. He hates
every man who was even my friend,
and you more than others, because
perhaps,"-she spoke slowly, II fool
ishly told him once, In spirit Of
pique, that he was not the first man
who had loved me. He few into a
perfect rage at my admission, and de-
manded your name. recklessly told
him"
"Your statement does not alter my
desire to meet him-to be friends.
That was my primary object in coming
here tonight-at the first opportunity
offered me since your marriage. Why,
from the very moment learned that
business would bring me from New
York to Savannah, my sole thought
has been to look you up, and" he
added, ito meet the man who won
you away from me-the man whom I
have always thought must have been
born under a lucky star"
The compliment, impulsively uttered,
intensified the expression in her eyes.
gate regulates these things better
than we can," she replied, "and 1t is
fortunate. for both Of US that your
visit was unconsciously timed during
his absence. Gerald will return to-
morrow and for my sake you must not
see me again." Her eyes glistened.
81 am sorry to say that" ..-. .-
'Tt Is my portion" he replied in a
tone Of resignation. --.-..
But you do not understand" she
said. Gerald loves me, and love him
anyway, I am his wife. 1t is his dis
position to be wildly jealous Of me at
the slightest provocation. He is a
Southerner, with the temperament true
to q man Of the South-love of family
honor-strict adherence to moral prin-
ciples-abhorring even the semblance
Of sexual misunderstanding the
strictest allegiance of his wife" she
clasped her hands nervously, and avoid
ing her companions eyes, added slow
ly-"and receiving It."
II see 1t all clearly" he responded.
''You are very happy with him-I am
glad. You know me we'll enough to
believe that would not, IF I could, do
aught that would risk your happiness
And yet, you viii also understand that
I am glad to have you remember other
days" His voice was low, and be-
came reminiscent. He leaned closer,
and there came into his eyes look
she had almost forgotten "Those were
the happiest days Of my life; and you
will forgive me for telling you that is
the reason / have never married"
Her eyes were looking straight into
his; their faces were close together.
She could almost feel his breath upon
her cheek. Her eyes half closed, and
the memory Of their love-days drifted
slowly, with insidious effect, through
her mind. Instinctively her hand
reached his, and closed over 1t with
soft pressure. Her momentary weak
ness infected him; his veins were
throbbing, and his senses blinded. The
mad impulse to seize her, kiss her, and
to pour out his love of long years,
y,oseoQsad him hut univ for nm instant