Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-02-24
CHAPTER Xxx.


t,mpts to win CT soften Olga. When a
servant awakened him hours aftcrward,
h. hal faced not only the knowledge of
her dc>.l;icn. bat the reiterations of his
sick hcar;-us,l,ss, hopeless. He would
never cheat him>,lf again. olga had
l,en wholly consistent with his esti-
mate If hrr. The folly of hoping too
much had been his.
In the dark days following this &C
ccpttd realization of failure be was cold
and >il Mt. He was gentle with Olga,
hut he lived within himself, and his
heart was like "a stone. He could feel a
Ivy 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
plncent.
The town house was sold together
with everything else. and for the time
l,;ng, at Olga's request, they made
their homo with her father. When The
Citizen passed into other hands, David
retained his editorial position as al 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 t2;rayal when she had stood on
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
a binding blow between the eyes and
stood dazed, mise1ably 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 gnat, new
er singing deep, never alighting ON the
same spot twice, yet singing 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, We're
over now. For hours she would lie
dreaming, her hands behind her head,
the faintest smile sometimes fluttering
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
ono day as she leaned over his library
chair. 81 am one Of these. can't con-
template the lives which this one roof
covers without feeling Of dismay for
the future. Better for me if I didn't
live to see that which must see, fear.
Oh, why weren't you my child?" he
said, with longing. "You have heart,
mind; real human blood goes through
your arteries. You are a woman, not a
finely articulated 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. u
He sat with his eyes fixed on his VEIN
Gus hand as it thoughtfully tapped the
table. "At least when I say know
Olga 60 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 a sigh.
But Anne soon forgot these words, fol
during several weeks following life al
the old house took on q more cheerful
color.
Olga ceased dreaming and seemed sat
isfied. She was often the gayest of COM
panions and assumed a whimsical
tyranny over David vastly preferable to
her settled Indifference. Sometimes dur
ing these days her eyes had an almost
celestial light in them, her smile was
conflding.
David almost dared hope again for
that which he had decided could never
be his. He found himself wondering il
she could be content with the little he
now had after all; if in her own fash.
ion, which never could be anticipated,
she would come to help him, love him
little. He put the hope from him. YET
knew he was hoping, and he waited.
In January in the busy morning hours
note was brought to Anne at the Office.
1t was from David, and very short
II hate to send you this, dear Anne.
You have been drawn into my misfor.
tunes too much of late. Forgive it, but
must come to you. Olga has gone
away at the head of theatrical com.
pany. The blow has Frustrated Mrs.
Ericsson and she's dangerously ill. Can
you 60 to the house when you get this:'
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 tremendously as she made her I'M
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