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

CHAPTER Xxx.
After this David made no further at.
tempts to win or soften Olga. When
servant awakened him hours afterward,
he had faced not only the knowledge of
her desertion, but the reiterations of his
sick heart-useless, hopeless. He woui,l
never cheat himself again. Olga had
been wholly consistent with his esti-
mate other. The folly of hoping too
much had been his
In the dark days following this &C
cepted realization Of failure he was cold
and silent. He was gentle with Olga,
but he lived within himself, and his
heart was like stone. He could feel
pity for her occasional outbreaks of dis
appointment and rage, but capability
' of actively regretting what he had lost
seemed dead. The changes following
within two months found him COM
placent.
The town house was sold together
with everything else, and for the time
being, at Olga's request, they made
their home with her father. When The
Citizen passed into other hands, David
retained his editorial position as an en-
| ployee.
This latter sacrifice was bitter one.
Had he permitted himself to dwell upon
it his hours at the familiar desk would
have been tinctured with anguish But
he had force in him, grandeur of
spirit, that made defeat imposing. Even
Anne might have been deceived by his
unchanged manner but for the one night
of self betrayal when she had stood Oh
the bridge, silent, within reach of his
hand.
She went frequently to DR.. Ericsson's
during these trying days Life there
was like creature which had received
binding blow between the eyes and
stood dazed, miserably uncertain on
which path to advance.
Mrs. Ericsson had grievance against
fate, but fate was too impersonal for
attacks. 1t was more satisfying to pour
her regrets and accusations into ears
which heard. She was like a gnat new
er stinging deep, never alighting on the
same spot twice, yet stinging always,
Anne often wondered at David's for
bearance, for her most spiteful outbursts
were leveled at him. Through him, in
some way, by something done or left
undone. the money for which she had
worked so long with Olga as bait had
been lost. Olga was the wife of poor
man. There was nothing worse to hap
pen.
In the meantime Anne found herself
studying Olga. She mystified her more
completely every day. Her spasms of
despair, sharp and short lived, were
over now. For hours she would lie
dreaming, her hands behind her head,
the faintest smile sometimes futtering
around her lips. Except for walk or
drive, she seemed to enjoy letting the
days brush by her. Dinner hour often
found her lounging in the loose gown
of the morning. She never spoke of
what she thought SO constantly nor
what her plans were, if she had any.
No one questioned her, David least of
all. She showed no desire to found a
home based upon their changed condi-
tions. He was willing to wait until she
had familiarized herself with her new
future and had reused herself to active
interest in it.
my dear, God let's some Of US live
too long" DR.. Ericsson said to Anne
one day as she leaned over his library
chair. 81 am one of these. l can t con-
template the lives which this one roof
covers without feeling Of dismay for
the future. Better for me if l didn't
live to see that which | must see, fear
Oh, why weren't you my child?" he
said, with longing. lyon have heart
mind real human blood goes through
your arteries You are woman, not
finely artioulated piece of flesh. You
understand me? wish you were my
child
"Uncle, why do you say this? You
make me afraid of something. Has any
thing happened you haven't told me
about?'
"I'm afraid of Olga, he said shortly
"Why? She seems not to care any
more" replied Anne, while she knew
he was about to express some of the
fear she had felt without understand
ing.
"That's just it; she seems not to
care. But she does, and know her. -
He sat with his eyes fixed on his vein
Gus hand as it thoughtfully tapped the
table, Sat least when l say know
Olga go too far. But know the signs
of storm in her. She is silent, thinking
of what? She writes lot of letters.
She always goes out alone. I'm afraid
of her." he said, with sigh.
But Anne soon forgot these words, for
during several weeks following life at
the old house took ON more cheerful
color.
Olga ceased dreaming and seemed sat-
isfied. She was often the gayest of COM