Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-01-04
out into the entry and on up the stair


me with wide-Open eyes.
You have heard it. them she Ale
most gasped.
Il only knowed it certain this even
un. But I've ben"
Il supposed Buck couldn't help tell
inc YOU all about it. And wanted
this very chance to talk to you. Cant
we get somewhere SO as not to be
bothered with other people all round
US? Our rooms are full of-of those
men. Of course. But we can get to the
loom-house. may be. without getting
wet. Did he-did Judge Banks 60 out
with the rest? Yes. l know he did.
Come on. and we will-but this door
is locked and the key gone! Who
locked it," She was in such furry OF
excitement that she ran here and
there about the room in complete be-
wilderment.
Out in the entry 1 could hear the
voice Of Judge Banks in loud and vehe-
ment remonstrance. and that OF Bogus
Leatherwood in an angry growl Of de-
FAINT reply.
i've done all uvver agreed to do
with you in this theng. Now. that's
all I'm q go-un to do. too. You kin
settle ON that. An theys no use .
wastun any more words about ut
You've gut 'er. haint yuha / thought
she was all you wawnted? l didn't
know you wawnted the manase'n Nv
me. too! don't low nobody to do that.
I'll let yuh know" was part of the
landlords fierce rejoinder to some
thing urged upon him by Judge Banks.
I looked searchingly into Pollys face.
She turned crimson, and her large eyes
filled with sudden gush of tearA
you mustn't blame MS" she
sobbed. selling my arm and pressing
it convulsively. 20 you mustn't
blame me. i couldn't help it. tried
every thing. And you wasn't here to
help me. Don't blame me for it!
Don't blame me for it!'
had seen her in many = storm of
self-cxonerating contrition for some es-
capade or other since our engagement.
but never so rent and torn by her emo
tons as now.
I'm not blame'n yow." 1 said. hold
ing her about the waist For really
she seemed so distracted that thought
there was danger in allowing her q
hands breadth away from me. '.Don't
60 on thataway. Polly. They's some
trouble outside. know. But you un
clashing in . sort OF chant or song IN
an unknown tongue Spanish, the new
DR.. May authoritativsly said il was),
made the most astonishing spectacle
that had Is yet been seen in all Sand
town and its tributary regions. tn,
second great spectacle was. perhaps
at that very moment preparing for it
presentation. But if 90. the spectator
were A. completely unprepared for 4
as ever an audience was unpreparet
for denouement of the most startling
drama.
Pushing into the circle 1t last.
was astonished to sec that whatever
this strange dance might be it was one
which all the participators in 1t had
practiced. But whereP Impossible
that it could have been done in Sand
town without being known and ever
supervised by the more enterprisini
inhabitants. Then I thought Of tn
steamer that we had seen in tho bent
Of the river below the village.
looked around for Buck. He wa
not to be seen. Across the circle stood
Polly holding to the arm. Of Judg'
Banks. She was far more richl,
dressed than had ever seen her. Blu
the dark, thin lace dress and tho pal,
yellow ribbons in her hair gave her {
wan and worn look. Judge Banks
too. looked disturbed and anxious
Bet Unjust talk to somebody about thi
odd masquerade Of Bogus Leather
wood. And who could be more salts
factory to me in conversation Of tina
nature than his daughter. For Their
had come into my mind . growing
conviction that the man must be in
sane.
How quickly the memory can mar
shall innumerable circumstances in cor
roboration Of the imputation Of insan
ityi The sudden change in tho land
lords whole methods Of life within thu
last ten days; his apparent neglect o
the stern and Incorporating super
vision Of al the acts and movement.
Of his wife and daughter. which he hal
enforced rigidly all the ten years o
their residence in Sandtown. .togethe
with Bucks suspicious comment, cam
upon me with the irresistible force o
conviction. Undoubtedly the maj
must b insane! Then how mucl
greater the nsed that should at onc'
take charge Of the daughter. II eve
there could be timc that she wouli
need my protection and advice ant
support in and through. l said. proud.
to myself. now il that time. II eve
there was the possibility Of an oppor
tunity Tor me 70 redeem the promise
that I had made to her by implication
and 70 myself BY multiplied direction
neso was that time.
Full Of these thoughts. and prepos
sessed with the correctncss Of my CON
illusions upon all tho points involved
It was with vastly moro than my usua
sslf-assertion-or lack Of it. rather
that I pushsd my way round tho QUITE
edge Of the admiring and highly-sntsr
tanned circle to the spot Just back o
the station occupied by the chief Object
Of my thoughts and my purpose.
I remember in that brief interva
now with amazing celebrity l though
over the whole field Of what was to b
the next era Of our lives The mar
riage; The necessary residence 1t m,
fathers house until could choose
location and make start in my pro
fession; the energy and tirelessnes
that l could and would put forth II
this first bout with the actual world
with the burden OF wife upon my
hands; and this and all other BURDEN
lightened by our overwhelming ant
enduring love for one another.
pleasing subject. dashed with . httl'
Of the anxiety and uncertainty pertain
Ing to such subjects in their very nat
ure-but pleasing. first and last.
When under the stimulus Of tn
thoughts here briefly outlined I had
pushed my way to the side Of the oh
jet Of my solicituds the remarkable
dance Of the mad landlord and hi
crew had come to climax, in whicl
the dancers formed in two lines with
m .fMMl I'M