Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-01-24
CHAPTER Xxxv.

In his head appeared on the scene.
Then a fellow-ha WAS in the dog
line. "and knew a thing or two
dropped in and took a rapid and com
nreheusiye view of affairs, and by the
help of infinite blasphemy did what
was best under the circumstances.
Strange was only stunned. After a
time he sat up, and looked about him.
A howl from Bell struck ON his
ears. He turned and saw the horses
shiyering among the broken mass OF
their noses to soft gurgling accom-
paniment.
"Where, where?'' he asked family,
and in reply to a pointed finger,
lifted himself up with both hands, and
CROPPED half-blindly to huddled-up
lump OF muslin and lace.
He just knew she WIS lying there.
cold, and white, and moveless. He
touched her forehead; it was like
marble. He laid his hand on her
heart; it was still.
A sudden wonder seized him as to
who had dressed and covered her
with such lovely decency, and he
looked with half vague inquiry at the
two women lowering near.
AS a matter of fact 1t was the dog
man who had done 1t, with his eyes
turned on the two women whom he
cursed foully the whole time
"Have you sent for a doctor" de-
manded Strange, forcing the dizziness
out of his brain.
Thanks to the draught the cigar
smoke had lost it's heayiness, and was
floating as a sort of spiritual essence
through the textures.
For some minutes after Gwen came
In she could hardly discern 1t at ALL
when she did she wished she could
transport 1t to her part of the house,
u struck her as being purer scent than,
one gets In women's rooms.
"How hospitable those chairs look!"
she said, feeling one. Does he lose
all his right hand gloves, l wonder?
Do all men? AS a matter of fact
know amazingly little of men or of
their ways! This is clean, self-re-
speeding room, | like 1t, / wonder l
never took any notice of 1t before!
All, another screen"
81 moved 1T aside and found an al
cove where an easel stood, and ON
this picture hidden by drapery Of
primrose and chestnut silk.
1.-THE way that drapery falls Is quite
different from anything else" said
Gwen stepping back a pace or two,
"why won't my tea-gowns so like
that?"
Something suggested to her just then
10 pry no further, but she swept the
suggestion aside with the .1draperies,
and saw before her her own painted
image. For one minute she felt in
clined to rip the canvas from end ito
end, and to kill once and for all the
vague look of motherhood in the
wOman's eyes.
This wretch!' e muttered at last,
80 she's in the house. AS If / hadn't
enough to handicap me without her"
She turned away with look of
loathing and jealous hatred, and sat
down.
After a little she got up slowly and
turned to leave the room, then almost
In spite Of herself she went back to
the picture and began again her eager
inspection Of 1t.
AS she stood with her head thrown
back and her hands clenched involun-
tarily, her husband came in. he did
not see her for minute; when he
did he stopped, and watched her.
1t was a revelation and a shock to
see her in this abandonment of Jealous
anger. He rustled a book on the table
to arouse her and quoted, laughing:
Where the apple reddens, never
pry! Lest we lose our Eden-Eve and
H.
She moved quickly aside into the
shade.
when did this Gomez" she asked, in
low constrained voice.
"Brydon sent it a few days ago.
You are betterg'
II am quite well, thank you"
The doctor thinks directly you can
travel we had better 60 into the
country
She dung Il swift flrtivo look at
him. How much does he know, l
-EonderW
Won't You sit DOWN. he asked,
cutting soft low chair within her
teach, land may l smoker"
She bent her head without speaking,
and he saw that her hands were
moving restlessly.
lie lit his cigar in a leisurely fash
ion then he drew up a chair and sat
down near her and began to smoke.
After a time he set to wonder how
long this remarkable vigil was going
70 hold out. He was determined to
keep silence till his wife spoke; he
saw she was fighting in her dumb
concentrated way for expression, he
Ieit certain some sort of an avalanche
vas about to descend upon him, and
he preferred she should set 1t sliding
herself, Perhaps the girl had had too
Aiach lonely struggle and her brain
v Well as her body had weakened
Win 1t, at any rate the first .thought