I have been greatly to blame--I can see that
now. Can't you let bygones be bygones? I have come to you voluntarily
and told you--"
"Yes, after six weeks. Why, I was the best friend he had, Mr. West,
and--Oh, me! How can I bear to remember what I said to him!"
She turned her face hurriedly away from him. West, much moved, struggled
on.
"But don't you see--I didn't know it! I never dreamed of such a thing.
The moment I heard how matters stood--"
"Did it never occur to you in all this time that it might be assumed
that Mr. Surface, having written all the reformatory articles, had
written this one?"
"I did not think of that. I was short-sighted, I own. And of course," he
added more eagerly, "I supposed that he had told you himself."
"You don't know him," said Sharlee.
A proud and beautiful look swept over her face. West rose, looking
wretchedly unhappy, and stood, irresolute, facing her.
"Can't you--forgive me?" he asked presently, in a painful voice.
Sharlee hesitated.
"Don't you know I said that it would only make things worse to talk
about it to-night?" she said gently.
Pages:
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671