The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-12-06
'.Thank you, Elisha-thank you a
hundred times"

two men walked down to the float
where they clambered with the luggage
into Elisha's dory and put out into the
channel.
Sylvia loitered to wave her hand
and watch them row away, but Mar
cha, as If unable to bear the sight,
waited for no further farewell
But by noon she was, to outward ap-
pearances, entirely herself. She had
not been able, to be sure, to Danish her
pallor or the traces Of sleeplessness ;
but she had Yer emotions sufficiently
under control 20 talk pleasantly, If not
gaily.
That day and the next passed in
much the same strained fashion.
It was not until the third morning
that the barriers between the two col
lapsed.
Marcia had gone into the living
room to write a letter. She sat down
before the desk and started to take up
her pen when Sylvia heard her utter
a cry.
whats the matter, dear?" called
the girl, hurrying into the other room.
AS Sylvia came nearer, Marcia
bowed her head upon the desk and be-
gan to sob as if her heart would break.
"Oh, now could he!" moaned the
woman. How could he be so cruel "
"What has happened, Marcia"
"Stanley-he has left a check
money-thrown it in my face! And
l did it so gladly-because loved him.
He knew that. Yet he could leave
this-pay meas if 1 were common
servant. l had rather he struck me
a hundred times rather"
The girl took the check.
It was filled out in Stanley Heath's
clear, strong hand and was for the sum
of a hundred dollars.
SLOW detestable Of him" she ex-
claimed. Tell me, Marcia-what hap
pened between you and Mr.. Heath?
You quarreled-of course l know that.
But why-why? have not wanted
to ask, but now"
"Tll tell you everything, Sylvia. I'd
rather you knew. l thought at first l
could keep it to myself, but cannot.
l need you to help me, dear"
Marcia unfolded the story of her
blind faith in Stanley Heath; her love
for him-a love she could neither re-
sist nor control-a love she had known
from the first to be hopeless. She
confessed how she had struggled to
conceal her feelings; how he himself
had resisted a similar attraction in
her; how at last he had discovered
her secret and forced her to betray it..
"Of course I realized we could not
go on" she explained bravely. "That
we loved one another was calamity
enough. All that remained was for
him to go away and forget me-return
to his wife, his home, and his former
life. Soon, if he honestly tries, this
infatuation will pass and everything
will be as before. Men forget more
easily than women. Absence, too, will
help"
"And you, Marcia?
81 cannot give up my love. 1t is all
I have now. Oh, l do not mean to
mourn over it, pity myself, make life
unhappy. Instead, shall be glad,
thankful. You will see. This expert
ence will make every day of living
richer. You need have no fears for
me, Sylvia. You warned me, you
know" concluded she with a pathetic
little smile.
Il was a brute! 1 ought to have
shielded you MORE" the girl cried.
81 could have, had realized. Well,
can yet do something, thank heaven.
Give me that check"
"What do you mean to do?"
"Return it, of course-return it be-
fore Stanley Heath leaves town. I'll
take it over to Elisha Winslow's now,
this minute"
II wonder-yes, probably that will
be best. You won't, l suppose, be
allowed to see Stanley" speculated she
timidly IF you should"
"Well?"
Don't say anything harsh, Sylvia.
Please do not blame him, or"
"I'll wiring his neck!" was the EN-.
phatic retort.
"Oh, please-please dear-for my
sake! 1 can't let you go if you go in
that spirit" pleaded Marcia in alarm.
"There, there-you need not worry
for fear I shall maltreat your Romeo,
richly as he deserves it," was the re-
Spouse. II could kill him-but l won't
because of you. Nevertheless, I
warn you that If get the chance
shall tell him what I think of him.
He is terribly to blame and ought to
realize it. No married man has any
business playing round with another
woman"
~ am half afraid to let you 60,
Sylvia"
"You don't trust me? Don't you be-
lieve 1 love your"
II am afraid you love me too much,
DEAR"
II do love you, Marcia. never
dreamed could care so intensely for
anyone have known for so short q
time. What you did for my mother