The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-12-01
CHAPTER VI.-Continued.

Before he realized that she was go
ing, Stanton stood alone. Hundreds
were passing, but he was alone. Later
the waiting-room was almost deserted
but he was no less or more alone. The
night watchman stopped before him
again and again, and at last, assuring
himself that at least the man was not
drunk, he shook him gently and asked
if he was i'll.
Stanton looked up, thought for
moment, and answered.: "No." Then
he looked up at the clock. 1t was after
two. With a start he turned away and
went back to New York and to his of
fee.
1t was relief to the night. man to
have him out of the waiting-room. 1t
was a relief to Stanton to be in that
great empty building.
He had fought battle and won a VIC
tory. His accounts with Richard Ray
mond were settled. There was no more
anxiety, no more anger. He was free
to think of the past, the present, and
the future, and all centered in Esther
Thorndike, the affianced bride of Rich
ard Raymond, his wife. He remem-
bered each of those sentiments and
sensations, and in memory they be-
came, or seemed to become, more real,
deep, and intense. But the more he
thought, the more the mystery grew,
and the morning sun streaming into
his office window found him as help
lessly entangled as ever.
He recalled her warnings of horrors
he would have to face, when the first of
them appeared in the person of the Of
flee boy. He was too full of curiosity
to contain himself, and ventured a
question distantly relating to wife.
For the first time in Robert Stanton's
Office an office-boy received an almost
savage rebuke.
The next came in the form of press
reporter asking for an interview. Be-
ing abruptly refused he proceeded
very calmly to lay before the lawyer an
array of facts and fancies relative to
the subject, which were simply bewil
dering to one who thought the secret
was all his own.
With broadening smile of satisfac-
ton, the scribe closed his notebook, re-
marking:
'There's stuff for racy half-page
there, and rousing card for me for an
exclusive. / didn't want to take up
your valuable time, of course, but
you're sure to be interviewed by every
reporter in town before tomorrow, and
it may save you something to give me
your side at once. At any rate, Il man
of your prominence ought to have an
opportunity to speak in a matter like
this, and l thought I'd just run in and
see if you want to say anything, before
making it up for the noon edition"
For time Stanton had been writing.
Now he blotted two papers. took them
! up, wheeled his chair about, and sat
facing the scribe. The smile quivered
like lamp-flame in breeze. Stanton
sat silently watching him for a mo-
ment, and with twitch about the lips
the smile went out. Then, speaking
very slowly, the lawyer said:
"There are some mistakes in what you
have rehearsed. and also some distorted
facts, which were obviously given you
by man named Raymond, with the evil
dent intention of injuring a woman. 1t
would prove serious matter to the
journal which published them. Person
ally, the truth is at the service of the
world If any journal wishes to retail it,
and for what have actually done l am
ready to take the consequences. For
what you and your paper do you must
accept the same. If you wish TO pub
lish your story and to add an interview
with me, there you have it. 1t is all |
have to say. But for the woman in
I question l have word for you which
is not an interview. 1t would be pos
sible to keep within the bounds of the
law in such an article as you propose,