The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-04-29

dDSOiulcly Hduulcu He. lou were hl-
ways here; you practically lived
here Every one thought you
cared for me; every one looked upon
you as my property. Why, it was
only through US that you met the
Greshams at ALL"
He laughed shortly.
swell, if / haunted you, Jocelyn.
that was why"
THAT you wanted to meet the
Greshams?"
Yes"
Lucy in particUlar?'
Lucy in particular"
Had you already made up your
mind to marry herr"
Yes; definitely; absolutely; and I'M
changeably"
She backed away further. looking up
with incredulous eyes,
"'Then you didn't marry her for
love," she cried, a renewed ring of
triumph in her voice THAT much of
what she said. was true. at least"
Did she tell you that?" he asked
sharply.
'Oh, she told me everything, But |
wasn't sure until now that it was
true
why should you be sure now?"
How could you have loved her be-
fore you had even met her?'
Il had met her. But very in
formally. / wanted to meet her for
mally."
lone meeting? And you made up
your mind TO marry her? Those ro-
mances are out of date. - she
scoffed.
I'm telling you what is true" he
said inflexibly. Her scoffing manner
softened
DO you really mean it, Jim?" she
pleaded. do you really mean that
you don't love me any more?'
ANY more?" he questioned irritably
II never have loved you, Jocelyn. /
don't know what's given you this
ridiculous idea. Look here, I'm sorry
if I've hurt you or offended you in any
way, but Of course you don't mean all
you say. You're exaggerating, aren't
you? Something's upset you. and you
don't absolutely realize all you are
saving.
She broke down then; sank into the
couch, hid her face in her hands and
cried bitterly. But he remained un-
moved by any pity for her. because
she gave way with such a weak aban-
don, that her giving way only dis
gusted him further.
Don't be silly, Jocelyn. For mercy's
sake, pull yourself together" he said.
She raised a tear-streaked face.
There was nothing appealing about
that little peaky face all blotched with
tears. But again he realized the bru-
tai bluntness of his words, and added:
''Of course / know you don't near
it L.. It's just. :" But he got
no further. His attempt at soothing
her was ill-timed 1t f1icked her van
ity almost more stingingly than his
brutal outspokenness had. She sprang
up from the couch, her thin little body
quivering from head to foot her pale
face white as a sheet; her eyes fever
ishly bright.
81 don't mean II? And you're sorry
If I'm hurt? And I'm to pull myself
together. You're sorry. :"
she cried out, f1inging the words back
at him with passionate contempt
"Sorryi Thanks. And I don't
mean all say? Don't L
think you'll find that / do. You
can't pick me up and throw me down
when it pleases you, and get away
There's no question Of IT. :" he
put in, trying to stem the torrent of
her words.
II know your marriage with Lucy
is a fasco. She told me so, her
self :" she went on 'She con-
fided the whole thing to me. She told
me that she was tired of your cold
ness towLrd her: that she was going
to get free of you for a bit. ~ She
was inventing wildly now. "a woman
can't live on coldness, you know, Jim
No matter how much she loves you
and she made it clear enough that she
was frantic about you-indiference
will kill ii all. F.. Well, you've
killed her love for you D'you
understands
He had turned from her, but at that
he swung back toward her, and the
fash Of temper he had Just shown
went suddenly TO a blaze in his som.
Der eyes.
What are you saying?" he demand
ed through shut teeth.
She was beside herself with baff1ed
emotion and wounded vanity and past
caring what she said or whom she
injured. She thrust her distorted little
face up close TO his.
I'm saying that she's tired of
you. Tired of giving all and be
ing given nothing And she's gone
back TO a strong, faithful love.
D'you understand? She's discovered
that she was fool ever TO leave il
She's learned her own heart and Is
going back 10 the man she has always
belonged to-Oliver Ames. Does
that move you. Whether you love her
or not, that hasn't quite a nice flavor
has it,
Her words dinned on his nerves till
his control broke and his temper rose
now, TO sudden fury.
His hands shot out suddenly and
caught her arms
Take it backl Take il all back !!
She didn't say any Of it. She
didn't tell you any Of this. She
doesn't love Oliver. You're ly.
ing lying. :"
He was shaking her now, and the
words were Jerking from his Inns