Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-04-08
CHAPTER XIV.
DEFENSE.

During the next few days we were busy
getting quartz down from the Bank. y
Broener called daily to see Pratt. who con-
tinued in the same condition of imbecility and
physically seemed neither better nor worse
Broener seemed also to have made a favor
able impression on Hillyear noticed them
lingering about the door holding those
lengthy eve-of-parting conversations ALWAYS
betokening that two people have found some
topic of common interest and consequent
bond of sympathy between them. Only. in
this case, knew or rather felt that the bond
was manufactured bv Broener for the occa-
sion and concluded it was for the purpose of
winning the dog-like allegiance of Hillyear
from Pratt and transferring it to himself.
thereby making more secure whatever OF
Pratt's secrets or differences concerning the
Bank" Hillyear might possess
Meantime steady estrangement was grow
ing between myself and Broener. It came
of my thought, suspense, uncertainty and
jealousy regarding Blanche Sefton-or rath-
er the presumed Blanche Seton. 1t WINS
gradual in growth, like the GOODNESS of the
early autumn certain to terminate in the
iciness of winter, winter which must ever
come between two people when one or both
fear loss at the hands of the other OF this.
the worst type / would live over and over
in mind all that imagination stirred up to
redoubled action by jealousy, created for me
regarding the matter / began to dislike
Broener for his superiority in many thines
over myself-a superiority was obliged to
acknowledge Dwelling on this made me
realize more and more his inherent gift OF
command-command first of himself. NEXT
of his fellows-command not cstentatiously
asserted with pomp and buster, but COM
mand based on tact, the art of saving the
right word and doing the right thing at the
right time and place Broener seemed to
know where lay the door to every persons
good will; more he knew how to open it.
This reflection seemed to terminate a more
disagreeable idea, that despite all Broener
had done for me, was but his creature. He
was ruling and influencing me as he did
others. | land this last thought smote me
hard stood to him as Hillyear had to Pratt
when Pratt was himself
So the cloud, the cloud l alone made ont
of my thought, came between us and grew
darker and darker, and more and more chilly.
Yet our external intercourse was much the
same as ever-at least we attempted to make
1t so, though the very attempts served but to
reveal the change more clearly
him. If he would not speak Blanche Sefton's
name would. So, one day, as we were COM
ing down from the Bank laden each with
forty pounds of rich quartz, said in as in
different a tone as / could assume: THAT
girl who played looks to me like one knew
home named Blanche Seton
''Your friend has reason to be proud of the
resemblance" replied Broener, in a careless
way. Then he added, in a lower tone: 1--WE
mustn't talk loud here Bill Settlers crowd
are working but a hundred feet below us
and Setter is an artistic and ACCOMPLISHED
busybody, with one ear always open for
other peoples business
No sooner were the words out of nv mouth
than l saw that l had now laid myself fully
open to Broener. That he had my secret If
secret there was, without any exchange in
return. He now knew the cause of NV
changed manner In nautical language. /
had given him all the marks and bearings of
the channel and the course he should steer.
Then hated and admired him at the same
time for the readiness with which, | saw. he
bad parried my question That readiness.
after few moments reflection, only made
me more miserable. Because, l thought, he
must know her name, and if it were not
Blanche, what occasion would there be for
his concealing it, So, then, it was Blanche
But Blanche may have given him false
name. There was hope But what if she
hass Is she not Blanche stills was getting
in that state where my mind refused to
work in proper fashion If kept on in this
way, l should soon argue that man had but
to change his name to change his identity,
and that when Charlotte Brown called her
self Julia Smith she became Julia Smith
This alarmed me little Then the riticu-
lousness of my condition came over me. and
l laughed aloud.
what are you laughing atY" said Broener.
AT a fool saw yesterday, when / looked
in the glass, who took strolling actress for
a girl he knew in the states" | said. in a
mood made up of petulance and vexation.
Broener turned half round and gave me a
look, apparently half surprise, half anger.
had broken out in new spotn for him.
and in the remark he had possibly recoy.
nized an attempt of mine in his own fashion
TO throw him off his guard 1t was not.
The words were born of the mood / was in.
and had flown out of my lips as of their own
volition. Suddenly / recollected that the
term ''stroljing actress had used was not
one indicative of the highest respect for tine
lazy in question, and that under the circum-
stances it could not have fallen agreeably on
Broener's ears. apologized for having
used such expression
He received my apology in silence saw
by this he meant TO punish me, and of course
my feelings against him were not ct all
lessened.
ITO be co,7fi,,nenl