Evening star., 1926-12-09

known her as we'll az he had thought,
and II was humiliating to know that
for long time she had cared nothing
for him when he had felt all along
that she loved him.
In the guestroom, into which
Helena had moved after she had made
up her mind TO take this step. she
stood in the middle Of the floor. All
her smooth serenity had vanished.
Her face had settled into tragic lines.
1t had taken all the fortitude that she
could summon to her command to say
what she had to John. And now she
was wondering II 1t had done any
good. OF course, she had saved her
pride. but. after all, was there much
pride where love was concerned? She
knew, too, that she didn't want John
unless he wanted her; 1t was better to
make a clean break. And yet, how
terrible to give him up forever. per-
haps 10 a woman like Nina Price, who
didn't deserve him.
Mechanically she took off the pink
and silver dress and slowly undressed
But after she had gone TO bed she
could not sleep.
She turned on the lamp over her
bed and looked on the small bed table
for a book, but there was nothing
there. She had left the novel she was
reading in the living room. Well, she
had to have 1t. Reading would help
her to take her mind off herself.
Throwing a neglige about her
shoulders, she opened the door ana
went into the living room. She gropeo
around on the table for her book. but
could not find 1t. She would have to
turn on a light.
She moved as softly as she could,
but just as she had secured her BOOK.
which she had left on the piano.
Johns door opened and her heart
leaned. She turned to face him.
He was wrapped in a blue dressing
gown, one she had given him for his
birthday. His hair was tousled. max
ing him look like a small boy. II only
she didn't love him quite so much.
Her manner toward him gave no in
dication Of the way she was feeling,
however, for she drew her neglise
more closely about her and said coolly:
Did disturb you? I'm sorry. l had
left my book in here and | wanted to
read for a while
II wasn't asleep" he said abruptly.
but l got to thinking about what YOU
had told me and thought we might
as we'll have the thing out tonight. as
long as you are awake.
w nat UloFt IL ltlcIS " soy
Helena asked evenly.
"A great deal. l may have a few
things to tell you"
I'VE can wait till tomorrow. can't
We"
Yes. we can. but why not finish
things up tonight? 1t won't take
long"
Helena complied by sitting down on
the davenport and John sat down op-
posite her.
It's only fair" he began. ito tell
YOU that Mrs. Price and | care for one
another. We discovered 1t when was
in Denver. l had promised TO go back
there after | had been TO the Coast.
but | thought ii fairer TO come home
first. care great deal about your
happiness. And now that have heard
your news. which was. To say the
least. surprising. | want 10 be sure
that this man Sands can take care OF
YOU. | want To be certain that he can
make you happy.
Helena's heart leaped. SO John had
assumed that the man she loved was
Mark Sands. Wen. why notr 1t would
make things easier for her TO let him
believe that. Because she would have
TO go on now With what she had
started. She had hoped against hope.
but she might have known her plan
would fail.
tCopyrsht. 1920
Continued in tomorrow 5 starr