Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-09

bulk of the Black Spur rising in the distance,
and, still more remote, the pallid snow line
that SCARED even beyond it's crest.
AS in the old time, they were for many
| moments silent; and then, as in the old
time, it was the irrepressble Barker who
broke the silence. But Stacy does not tell
you anything about his friend, the beautiful
Mrs. Horncastle. You know, he's the guard
| ian of one of the finest women in California
"a woman as noble and generous as she
is handsome. And think of it! He's pro-
tecting her from her brute of a husband
and looking after her property. Isn't it
good and chivalrous of him?"
The irrepressble laughter of the two men
brought only wonder and reproachful indig-
nation into the widely opened eyes of Bar
ker. He was perfectly sincere. He had
been thinking If Stacy's admiration for Mrs.
Horncastle in Sls ride from RoOmville, and
strange to say. yet characteristic of his ma
ture, it was the equally natural outcome of
his interview with her and the singular
effect that she had upon him. That he Bar-
kerr thoroughly sympathzed with her only
convinced him that Stacy must feel the same
for her, and that, no doubt, she must re-
spond to him equally. And how noble it
was in his old partner, with his advan-
tages Of position in the world and his pro-
tecting relations to her, not to avail him
self of this influence upon her generous
nature. If he himself-a married man and
her charm. how much greater it must be
to the free and inexperienced Stacy.
The italics were in Barker's thought for
in those matters he felt that Stacy and
even Demorest, occupied in other things
had not his knowledge. There was no idea
or consciousness of heroically sacrificing
himself or Mrs. Horncastle in this; / am
afraid there was not even an idea of a su-
peror morality in himself in giving up the
possibility of loving her. Ever since Stacy
| had first seen her he had fancied that Stacy
liked her-indeed, Kitty fancied it, too
and it seemed almost providential now that
he should know how to assist his old part
ner to happiness. For it was inconceivabe
that Stacy should not be able to rescue this
woman from her shameful bonds, or that
she should not consent to it through his
(Barker's) arguments and entreaties To a
champion of DANES" this seemed only right
and proper. In his unfailing optimism he
translated Stacy's laugh as embarrassment
and Demorest's as only ignorance of the
real question. But Demorest had noticed
If he had not, that Stacys laugh was little
nervously prolonged for man of his tenn
permanent, and that he had cast a very keen
glance at Barker. A messenger arriving
with telegram brought from Boomyille
called Stacy momentarily away and Barker
was not slow to take advantage of his alb
sence.
81 wish, Phil" he said, htching his chair
seriously OF this matter and try to persuade
Stacy-who, believe is more interested in
Mrs. Horncastle than he cares to show-to
put a little of that determination in love
that he has shown In business. She's an
awfully fine woman, and in every way suited
to him, and he is letting an absurd sense of
pride and honor keep him from influencing
her to get rid of her impossible husband.
There's no reason" continued Barker in a
burst of enthusiastic simplicity, that be-
cause she has found some one she likes bet
ter that she should continue to stick to
that beast whom all California would gladly
see her divorced from. / never could un-
derstand that kind of argument, could you?"
Demorest looked at his companions glow
ing cheek and kndling eye with a smile
"a good deal depends upon the side from
which you argue. But, frankly, Barker boy,
though / think / know you I'm all your
phases, | am not prepared yet to accept you
a matchmaker However, I'll think ii
over and Ind out something more OF this
from your goddess who seems to have be-
witched you both. But what does Mistress
Kitty say to your admiration"
Barker's face clouded but instantly bright
ened, 80, they're the best of friends;
they're quite like us. you know, even to
larks they have together" He stopped and
colored at his slip. But Demorest, who had
noticed his change of expression, was more
concerned at the look of half incredulity
and half suspicion with which Stacy, who had
re-entered the room In time to hear Barker's
speech, was regarding his unconscious
younger partner
Il didn't know that Mrs. Horncastle and
Mrs Barker were such friends" he said
dryly as he sat down again. But his face
presently became so abstracted that Demorest
said gayly;
We'll, jim. I'm glad I'm not a Napoleon
of finance / couldn't stand 1t to have my
privacy or my relaxation broken in upon at
any moment as yours was just now. What
confounded somersault in stocks has put
that face on you?"
Stacy looked up quickly, with his brief
laugh, I'm afraid you'll be none the wiser
II told you. That was a pony express mes
senger from New York. You remember how
Barker that night of the strike, when we