Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-12-27
6he.New Years Ball

but merciful goodness" the mar
cried out, driven to half-crazed desper'
alton. Don't you understand? CAM
you understand? 1t is ruin! 1t Is
complete ruin!"
She stood before him like one Of the
antique Greek statutes that look calm
ly out from jeweled eyes. Her cold
mouth curved little.
Il suppose you mean that our ex-
penditure has been too heavy; that we
must retrench. You are dramatic about
'it-as you are about everything" She
shrugged her shoulders And you
know that detest the dramatic"
AS he saw that still she did not un-
derstand. the moisture came out on his
forehead
mo, do not mean that we must
retrench. as you conceive the word,
Rose. mean that everything is gone"
Everything"
'You will not starve. You will have
house over your head. But"
Thank you" She smiled ironically.
THAT is much. Yes, think under
stand now"
She turned to the door.
"Rose!" He called her back. His
eyes strained out of his ashen face.
IF you knew-if you knew-how
have struggled against 1t! For months
1t has been coming. But / always
hoped that | would retrieve all. One
unfortunate investment followed an
other. Still l would not tell you; l
could not-could not! But now I will
explain everything"
"Oh. pray spare mel" She drew
aside the folds of her houserobe, as If
his outstretched hand might seize and
detain her. II wish for no explanation
OF disagreeable events. After our New
Years eve ball | will hear as much of
what you may have to say as I care
to know-though speech is useless
enough now"
After the ball?" he repeated. "You
do not meant is not possible-that
you think of still giving this New
Years ball?"
: Certainly" She gazed at him cold
ly. This ball shall be given. My
invitations went out today"
But it is monstrous!" cried Edwin
Thompson. do you realize what will
be said Of us? In or!night more the
whole world will know that l am a
bankrupt. My honor"
Your honor!" she interrupted.
laughing little. "a man who marries
a girl above him socially, but of i'm
poverished family, under the claim of
being wealthy, and who, five years la
ter, announces to her that he Is bank
rupt, need talk little of his honor!"
She turned away again and finally,
as she uttered the words. They had
been spoken in her even, clear, cruel
voice. Surely in the five years of their
married life Edwin Thompson had
learned to know those tones wei. They
had never warmed with love or melted
with tenderness. They had remained
what they had been when he, self
made man. man who had arrived at
great riches, despite his youth, had
raid his addresses to the daughter of
Che old Viokas. and had been willing
that she should marry him without, as
she confessed with explicit calmness,
loving him in the least.
Mrs. Edwin Thompson had given her
ball and it marked the summit of the |
holiday season. The early morning
sours wore on towards the dawn The
sSst carriage rolled away. Mrs Thomp- |
r>n would fall; but it would be fall
~nwrapped in splendor.
She was about to move past her hus-
sAnd without word. He checked her.
Il have been waiting to see you I'M
Gil the last guest had gone. There has
happened one thing of which wish to |
speak to you--very briefly. shall not
keep you long. l had relative-an
uncle of my mother. He was an I'M
married man, and rich. For years we
held no communication with each 9TH
er. 1t came to me that l would appeal |
to him-not for myself-for you"
TIC pdu-cu. Que SUOOu, ueT HedQ ndlI
averted, reluctantly waiting. He
looked at her. She did not see the
glance He resumed.
81 wrote three days ago Today re-
,eived this letter." He took out 70 d.
ed sheet. 1T is from the old mans
lawyer. lily mothers uncle died a
week. ago, and | am heir-at-law of all
MS property.
The silence that fell upon the great
-oom could almost be heard. Not a
muscle of Roses body moved. Her
head was still averted.
Il tell you this, because it is you
lot I-who hereafter will own this for
une. That is ALL"
When she turned sharply he was
zone. The blood surged to her cheeks,
md left them again deadly pale. Was
t true? Yes; she knew that IL was
,he might taunt him with having won
Ter by false claims. but she knew, in
Ter soul. that falsity and he could not
ogether be mentioned. His word was
lever doubted. What did he mean,
hen, by saying that his fortune. which
lad fallen to him In the hour of d.