Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-11-17

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Anne sat with the letter in her
hands, conscious only of unbelief in the
words written there. The woman who
had done this thing, having smiled and
lied harmoniously as she made her IN
hurried way to the goal of her desires,
became suddenly hateful. Anne could
not judge of her by herself or measure
her by FAMILIAR rules. Comprehension
was beyond her.
IA liar!" she said aloud. "a cruel
! liarr'
The noisy streets might have been a
desert for all heed she took of them Us
she hurried to Dr. Ericsson's. She was
absorbed in her thoughts. She knew
how the papers would seize on this de.
parture and flourish the real and mag
mary details of David's private life IN
der big headings, how ably Olga would
assist them. Soon her.face would stare
! from every slap window and decorate
tobacco signs ;she would be exploited by
every bombastic venture dear to the
managerial heart. She was not one to
succeed by the sovereignty of talent
alone and retire from the limelight e
privacy as exclusive as queen s. In
stinct and education made her delight
| in the clamor of brass. Her mother had
| been eager to advertise her socially; she
would trumpet herself professionally.
When Anne entered her aunt's bed.
room, pang of remorse shot through
her heart Mrs. Ericsson S nervous vigil
lance and activity had often irritated
her, but now her outf1ung arms express
ed apathy, her small, shrunken face was
almost hidden in the bullying pillow and
her eyes stared at one spot. She was in
a sort of syncope. 1t seemed brutal that
all the physician efforts were to bring
her out of it to realization of Olga S
decisive arrow which had struck down
her last hope.
1t was dusk before the nurse came
and Anne could leave the sickroom
She was tired and her head ached. In
the hall she met maid and asked for a
cup of tea.
"Shall fetch it to the doctors study,
Miss Garrick? Mr.. Temple is there
now. He's just got in. Perhaps he'd
eyes, and DR.. Ericsson-hasn't he
come back YETI"
"Not yet, miss"
There was not a sound in the house
as Anne went down the stairs, nor were
the lamps yet lit in the study, but there
was bright freight coming out in a
broadening track across the open door
way. When she reached the Threshold
she saw David sitting on the edge of
the big table, his hands in his pockets,
his eyes on the fire.
She reached his side before he was
aware of her presence. When he turned
and saw the freight making her dark
eyes still more mysterious. sending it's
| chickering's over her sensitive lips and
the dusk masses of her hair, a look of
pain changed his face Truth and SYM
pathy were in her full glance. 1t was
long since woman's eyes had looked
at him so.
You're so PALE" he said gently,
taking her hand. "I'm sorry had to
send for you, Anne, but Mrs. Ericsson
needs a woman near her. Don't you
think SO? But, as told you in my note,
I feel like a brute dragging you into
this wretched house. -
His fingers loosened their hold and he
walked into the shadows and out again
| There was look of endurance on his
! face. He had never seemed Drawer and
never had his unlikeness to Donald stood
out more clearly. She could always
| tl,a cfn Of 1oT
ter. For David she could feel only sad
sense of wrath against the inevitable
crushing him. He was man to domi
nate his sorrows and carry them TN
| shared.
"How is Mrs. Ericsson?' he asked
"Still unconscious. It's so strange to
see her lying quiet"
"It's Just as we'll, he said sadly.
Bitterness is waiting for her, poor
woman. Then he added abruptly,
"Have you seen the papers tonight?"
"No; is it,
eyes, it's everywhere. They all have
it, except, of course, The Citizen. 1t
hurts me so, Anne. Oh, I'm fool to
let it; 1 know that! I'll have to endure
LuO-o oShSdtlUudl ISauluS Ny anu Wy ~
doubt"
Anne sat silent, and he turned to her
again.
Haven't you heard the story, Anne!
It's pity" he said, with dismal
smile. "You have been cheated out of a
toothsome morsel of gossip. It's the
dinner topic at plenty of tables tonight. )"
He sat down on the table edge again
and leaned forward, his hands ON his
knees.
"Olga went away three days ago to
pay visit to one of her former init.
mates. She was to be gone week.
Last night received letter from her.
It was as serene as her eyes. She was
going, she said, to make great name
for herself on the stage. The company
she headed would play only old come
dies, was going straight to San Fran
"a lNFs