The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-30
PART III.

step. "A curious eounu, Il sOrt OF HlOUD,
broke low from his lips, and he spoke Ia
swhisper.
II knew 1t. I knew II. With evefI
line I wrote / knew 1T better. lit
won't do at oil, old fellow?"
mo. it won't do" Caxton spoke now.
In his usual curt and rather hard tones.
Ii was well TO have the thing over now
and as soon as possible. His words
should be sharp and decisive. 1T
won't do at al" he said. 'You mustn't
think of publishing it. Nobody would
publish it for you. You'd have to waste
your own money, and look a fool at tho
end"
Baines sat down Mt the table and be-
gan to tumble with the knot of green
ribbon that tied the neatly copied
sheets together. The sound of a low
voice and the soft tread of careful
foot came through the wall from the
next room.
Can nothing be done with it?" asked
Baines. his nervous fingers still at work.
Caxton's manner grew gruffer with
every fresh assault on his pity.
"It's hopeless, quite hopeless" he
said, brusquely.
Baines buried his face in his hands for
\ moment, moaning.
"How shall / tell her? How shall I
tell her I'm fool? She believed In
me So"
"A man isn't a fool because he can't
write book" said Caxton; but his tone
expressed no conviction that Baines was
not fool
I'm fool" said BOBBY, savngely.
Then he walled again: sand, God help
me, Addie will know it now"
Look here, don't talk about it to her
till she's all right again"
AS he spoke there was knock at the
door. and servant came In.
"Please, sir, Mrs. Baines has heard
Mr.. Caxton's voice, and wants him to
come In ut once"
ITO come IMP" cried Baines, jumping
up. "Wait minute" he added TO Cax-
ton, and passed quickly into the next
room. Caxton was left alone with the
body of his victim. He walked to the
window and stood looking out, frown
on his brow. II wish the devil was
out of this" he muttered to himself.
In moment Baines was back, his
door and beckoned.
'Comc along" he snid. "The doctor
thinks you'd better come" and he
(, turned again TO go to the bedroom.
"But what shall say?" whispered
Caxton, in helpless apger,as he followed.
They were by the bedside, Banes hav-
ing made no answer TO the whispered
appeal; indeed, he seemed dazed, and
looked at Caxton with vacant stare.
Addie lay on the bed, very pale, breath
ing quickly, and her eyes were alight
with excitement; on the other side of
the bed stood the doctor.
"liayc you read it?" she asked, NOV
ing her hands toward Caxton and fixing
her eyes ON him.
EYES," he answered. bending over her.
"I've read 1t, Mrs. Baines."
"And what--what?" she said, family.
Cuxton pressed her hand. The doc
tors eyes were upon him, but he could
not be sure what they meant to tell him.
Baines had fallen on his knees by the
bedside and his face was hidden in the
coverlet.
The interval that passed before Cax-
ton heard his own voice seemed very
long; and when it came it said some
thing that it had hardly meant TO say.
"Splendid!" he said, pressing Adde'S
hand again and smiling.
"Splendid?" she echoed. "Splen.,
didT'
BHines suddenly raised his head from
the coverlet; he put out his band to
catch hold of Caxton, and his lips
opened to speak. Caxton leant heavily
on his shoulder and Kept him down
where he was, on his knees by the bed;
and, looking across at the doctor, who
made no sign or gesture, he said again:
splendid, Mrs. Baines, simply splen-
did! II will make him famous and you
must make haste and get well and see
the fun"
"Ah." murmured Addie, in long.
luxurious sigh of utter relief. as she
sank back and loosed her hold on Cax-
tons hand. Thanks. Mr.. Caxton; oh.
thanksi Addington, dear Addington"
Caxton drew back. The isnpassive
doctor was motionless. Baines rose to
his feet and bent over his wife, taking
her arms and putting them round his
neck. lie kissed her, and the men heard
her whisper: "My clever darling. oh,
my clever darling!" Her husband
Kissed her again and disengaged her
arms from about him.
snow / think you two had better
leave us" said the doctor. Caxton was
rejoiced to obey. The doctor came with
him TO the door; he did not look at Cax.
ton, nor Caxton at him. and no remark
was made till the door of the bedroom
had closed and Baines and Caxton were
outside together. Then Caxton said.
She'll do all right now, i hope, old
fellow"
Baines walked into the little boudoir
without replying. and sat down again
by the table where STRESS and Striv-
ing" lay. Csxton stood on the hearth
rug gazing drearly about the room
and through the window at the opncsite