The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-04-03

VIC AAJ ~ IL saw yOu IAOAl AAohAh6 thO
same mistake.
you're an idealist, John. That's
one of the reasons why you appealed
to me. love idealists. I'm one my
self. But idealists must live-and,
what is still more important, they've
got to let live. An idealist must be
human, must keep his feet on the
ground. If not, he becomes a nuisance
he carries his joke too far. You
can't see that just now; you can't
translate what I say; but think you'll
be able to one day, and then you'll re-
member my words.
"You can't get as far as my motive
that's what you said. What you
really mean is that you cannot see my
motive, because you are looking too
high; but my motive Is natural and
human and belongs to the earth. It's
a pity you cant get as far for the
motive counts.
you see, If ! had deceived you
and, Of course, don't deny that I
did, 1 laid myself out to deceive you.
/ used every art that knew-well,
If had deceived you with any shame
full object let's say to smooth
my path to some other man, then your
estimate would be true. for by using
our understanding to let you down I
should have committed sin which not
even an angel from heaven could ever
forgive. But we both of us know that
what I did 1 did because I loved you.
And when you come down to earth, as
1 think you will, you'll see that that
makes a difference. And something
more you'll see, when you lower your
eyes. You'll see what It cast me to
do 1t. I debased our lovely coinage to
save your life.
"Some people would call you fool,
but I know better than that. You see,
I know you so well. You're so very
simple and downright, and Honesty is
your god. That worship and your I'M
bridled idealism are, as 1t were, the
lenses through which you see. And so
what did looks monstrous. . It's be-
cause of that that I'm neither angry
nor hurt-only thankful. If you had
weighed me and had dared to find me
wanting. -
Something was stirring within me.
The challenge had stabbed some emo
ton that was not dead.
"Finish the sentence" said. "That's
Just what I've DONE"
For a moment she regarded me curl
ously.
Their
"No, you haven't" she said. "You
think you have, but you haven't. If
you could speak my language, you'd
understand what mean. But that's by
the way. AS I said just now. lam
thankful that this has happened. {.
To be honest, knew 1t might happen.
/ saw its shadow while I was writ
ing that note. And very nearly added:
Don't let him know I've done this
And then thought NO. because that
was a towards way. wasn't pre-
pared to deceive you to save myself"
With a sudden air Of pleasure she
looked about.
Sand now where's your cousin?" she
said. II fancy the games nearly over.
But I'd like him to hear my news and
then we can settle the best way to
go in and win"
AS once before, the three of us sat
on the turf, and Helena Yorick was
speaking with my cousins eyes on her
face. But mine were upon the groCAld.
"If I had to give my story title,
I should call it How Pharaoh was hoist
with his own petard.' But that would
not be strictly correct, because, as
you'll hear, it was the infallible Dew
drop that let him down.
GAS John has told you, 1 saw him
out of Yorick just about twenty past
three. Then 1 went straight to bed, and
after little 1 managed to get to
sleep. At half-past six 1 was awak-
ened by the most awful din. Sabre
was barking like mad and the fire.
alarm of the castle was going all out.
Then heard men running and voices,
and I'd hardly got my dressing gown
round me before old Florin was speak
ing and knocking upon my door.
swell, you'll never guess what had
happened. A Waterman had found
blood on the terrace-a trail Of blood
that led him up to Johns ROOM"
She paused there and turned to me.
'I'd no idea that Dewdrop had
stabbed you so Deep"
I said nothing and at once she re-
sumed her tale.
'The moment 1 heard the news I
saw the infinite value Of holding my
tongue. I knew whose blood 1t was
and why it was there, but I felt that,
left to itself, that blood would cry out
with an eloquence which could never
approach. Dewdrop had stirred up a
regular hornets nest; it seemed to me
more than likely that with very lit
tie direction the hornets would turn
their attention to Pharaoh and him.
II told the warden to rouse you and.
If he could get no answer, to break
down the door. Very wisely, you'd left
this unbarred-I shouldn't hove thought
of that. OF course, your room was
empty, but went in myself and looked
carefully around. You see, I was sure