Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-09-13
Test of Her
M Character
By ADELAIDE D. HUFF
ooooooooooooooooooo0o
(Copyright.)

I" JUST to think" Constance Mason
- whispered In Pauls ear, "just to
think that six weeks ago we had new
er even seen each other. and now
Paul Forestor's arm frightened
around the girl and he kissed her soft
brown hair gently.
at was the magic Of the sea-" he
said, land we were both in holiday
mood. When people go vacationlng
aren't you gladT asked Constance
looking up quickly and trying to scan
his features in the soft moonlight.
Don't you believe you'd have Flowed
me wherever you had met me? Did 1t
take the sea and holiday"
flush. DEAR" he said almost irri.
tably.
For the twentieth time in their
short acquaintance Constance wished
that she did not love him. He was
so moody and so difficult to under
stand and always he seemed to be
afraid Of love, suspicious Of her sin
cerlty or something. What was It?
she wondered, uneaslly.
"Do you really love me?" he asked
after moment. would you stick
to me through thick and thin-no mat.
ter what you heard about mel"
Forever" the girl answered SOL
EMMY, but Forester continued:
"What would you advise a man
to do who had unmarried the wrong
woman?"
"You-married' she exclaimed, her
voice breaking on a sob, as she
wrenched herself away from him
Constance, don't" he pleaded.
catching her by the wrist. "You must
hear me. Suppose the man had never
loved that woman. What thenf"
"Any chlldrenf" she asked after a
moment in a tone quite devoid Of
emotion.
"One," he answered, DULY.
aid tell him to go back and do his
duty; IL there had been no child !
should have said the same thing, but
since there is I say 1t with ten times
the emphasis. Goodby, Paul. Let me
go, please" ...
She freed herself and ran swiftly
into the house, slamming the door be-
hind her.
Late that night the doorbell rang
and messenger brought special de-
livery from Forester.
Take 1t away. don't want to see
It," she told her astonished mother
why, Constance, what's happened?'
Mrs. Mason exclaimed In surprise,
81 thought you and Paul were out
somewhere and now here l find you"
"If you love me, mother, do go
away the girl pleaded, her voice
breaking.
II will If you'll promise to read
that letter." she said.
With jerk of Impotence Con
stance took the envelope In her hands
and ripped It open as Mrs. Mason
quietly left the room. Only her sense
of honor made the girl unfold the
pages and glance at them.
my own precious girl" lit began)
ut was horrible test, but / had
to do 1t, to satisfy myself that you
were really true and splendid. But
Constance, am not married and new
err have been. It was my fool, idiotlc
way OF testing your character. I've
been caught once, and I've been afraid
of everyone since then.
"When | was twenty-five I met a
girl In the AdlrOndacks whom loved
desperately aud It was not until after
we were engaged that she told me
that she was married and had hus-
band and child In New York city.
She wanted to put them aside like
tossing off an old dress, but | knew
only too well that later she would be
willing to shed me In the same light
hearted fashion.
after that concluded that all
girls were alike. Then when | met
you some devil made me test you In
the way did But Constance. you
came up to the mark. adore you
more than ! ever did and now II
can only win you back shall have
no fear Of losing you for know how
truly fine you are. All my doubts
died when you sent me packing.
"Wont you let me come back7 II
I have been cruel, forgive me. You
don't know the years I've suffered
and brOoded over this thing and III
spend lifetime making 1t up to you.
I could be so happy with you now.
I don't think l shall ever be the same
person again now I've found girl l
can trust Whatever you do to me
shall always love you. PAUL.
up. ST. shall be in the swing on
your porch at eight o'clock tomorrow
evening. II you don't want to see
me have only myself to blame. but
IL you should have enough mercy
you'll find new man awaiting you"
When Constance had finished read
ing the letter her emotions went into
reverse and she danced around the
room like young lunatlc. But 1t
was rather subdued Constance who
met Paul the next evening.
IF you ever try stunt like that
again." she warned him, but he was
too irrestlbly joyfUI to listen to her.
81 was certain I'd lost you" he
said, as he held her in his arms.
''You came terribly near It," Con-
stance returned sOberly. IF hadn't
Flowed"
But she got no further, for with
bowed head Paul sealed her words
with kiss and all the misery OF the
previous evening fed away on the
wings Of love.