ment -. :-,-. -. ,-. . .- .- -,
Suddenly It came to her that she
had made a miajake. She should nev
er have married Preston. How . had
she come to do it? There had been
the chance to go to New York with
Gertrude s.nd .there bad been the
chance to marry Preston and live with
him in his old home on the hill. She
had been sorry for Preston. His moth
er was dead and he was very lonely.
She had always known him. He loved
her. It had seemed to her that New
York was a vast uncertainty, but the
. old house., on the hill and iife with
Preston was safe and sure.- She had
chosen the thing she was positive of.
.And she had not been very sorry for
all the hard work and lack of pleas
ure and financial anxiety of that first
year of her married life until she be
gan to feel 'tempted and uneasy and
discontented.-
"Well," said. Gertrude, smiling. "It
Isn't too late now. You go with me,
Jessie, when I go. Will "
"Stop!" It was Mrs. Bates' voice.
Stern and harsh. , "Stop this instant,
Gertrude Whittaker. I won't allow it.
You're a regular temptress. Don't you
listen to her, Jessie. The idea of her
wanting you t(f leave your husband
and go with her! I hope you've got
too much sense to heed her."
"Yes, I've got too much sense,"
Jessie Bald. She stood up and fum
bled blindly at her gloves. Her lips
were pale and quivering. Tve got too
much sense, of course. Only " She
thrust" her arms into the coat Mrs.
Bates was holding for her. ..
