The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-11-05


capable of he did not resent it.
"You blame me for not coming soon.
Or" he answered: ''but / did not know.
Your letter and his and the paper that
you sent all came to me at the same
time. Since then have come as fast as
= steam could bring me. have been in
Mexico."
Thus much he felt he must say in his
own defense, but it availed him nothing.
"You should not have gone away so,'
she said. .You are older than your
brother; you have some duties"
'.You do well to reproach me" he
said modify. II went away for you
and for him."
"You should not have gone" she said
again insistently, Eat least not 90 far
not in this way. There was no reason
why you should go at all; and he had
only you to look to-"
Doubtless she had been sorely hurt.
Women do not stand well the breaking
Of their idols. And to cover her hurt,
womanlike, she turned upon him who
had been in nowise to blame.
Chalmers thought to himself that it
was strange that he should not resent
this. He had always been a man who
was impatient of criticism. Perhaps If
he had been in any way to blame in this
matter, if there had been any self accu-
sation to contend against, he might have
resented her words. She was calm and
pale and cold. But looking at her more
closely he could see that she kept her
self under ,ntrol only by the most de-
termined effort. He would not make it
any harder for her.
eyes, I have been to blame" he said
finally. II should not have gone. But
have como back now to help him-and
you, if You will let me. Tell me what /
can do"
'Oh, l don't know" she answered.
II am only woman. could do moth
ing. I thought when you came You
would know-you could suggest"-
She had depended ON him, then. The
thought gave Chalmers new determi-
nation to be gentle with her and help
full, whether she asked him or not.
He watched the nervous twisting of
her long slender fingers for moment
the only sign Of emotion-before he
spoke again.
II don't understand what has hap
pened. ] hare had no word except that
you sent me. have seen no one here.
You see l am wholly at a loss"
"Yes, I understand. You must know
the whole story"
II would like to spare you," he said.
II might get it from some one else; but
it would bs better if you could tell me-"
Il can tell you," she answered, and
then she lifted her head and Chalmers
saw in her eyes CLINT of the old time
fire and pride. II can tell you," she re-
peated; why not? He did not mean to
do any wrong. want you to be sure
of that, as am. But he longed SO to
be rich man, to have control of money.
He wanted to pay back all that you had
given him, and to make moreover
more than you had. He wanted to do
the things that can be done only with
money, to be in the front of great enter
prises." She stopped moment as if to
consider whether it were best to say
that which was next in her mind. Then
she continues:
II think he was always little zeal.
GUS of your money; and it was only the
more hard because you were SO gener-
Gus with him. He wanted to show Won
what he could do alone"
II used to be afraid the money would
come between u.s." said Chalmers; shut
l could not help it. TWAS not my fault
that l had the most. You know that it
came through my mother. and father
always insisted that it should remain
wholly mine. George would not have
envied me if he knew how little comfort
it has been. It was because had this
advantage, Lima, that gave up to him
30 readily in other things. And it has
brought me nothing else worth the hav-
ing"
He looked fixedly at his companion as
he said this, and she flushed deeply
under his>steady gaze.
"Yes, l know" she answered; .sbut
let US not speak of the past. He wanted
10 make money. There was a great
panic in the stock market last fall-per.
haps You knew Chalmers shook his
head negatively at this)-and George
thought that it was his opportunity.
1on't know much about these things
perhaps do not tell this quite right"
she said apologetically. ''but ] will tell
Tou as ! understand it. He thought if
ne could buy them when stocks were.
20 low he would be entirely safe. He
put in everything he had Che only told |
ne this afterward, after it was all over)
md bought on margins. But stocks !
vent down further, and to save himself
le took some money from the bank.