Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-23

Steele had all the necessary infor-
nation, and, forgetting politeuess,
rushed from the house, taking the
front steps almost at one leap. He
knew what It meant If Sam Howard
had been drinking. II was with
many misgiyings that the Hermitage
patrons had viewed the marriage,
not long before, of these two young
people of the district. Sam and
Marietta were Woodworking young
people, and cared for each other
but he would indulge in drink on rare
occasions. and one drink meant
spell Of crazy drunkenness.
Reaching the tenement where they
lived, he sprang up the stairs TO the
little suite of rooms that the Her
mitage club had furnished as a we'd
ding present 20 the Towards, and
burst open the door.
Against the wall crouched the
young wife, her eyes horror tricken,
her face white with terror, except
where the blood was gathering IN
der the skin from freshly-dealt
blow on her cheek.
Between Marietta and her husband
Leslie had interposed herself. The
mans face. with its bloodshot eyes,
was that of a mailman. He had evident
| " struck Marietta with his hand, but,
/ with increased wrath that anyone
/ should attempt TO thwart him, he had
| caught up a stick of wood from the
floor. and even as she tried 10 soothe
him he had the bludgeon raised threat
eningly. With a spring Steele was up
on the man, who, though powerful nat
urally. and with the added strength OF
frenzy, was no match for the new
conner. whose muscles were backed by
a rage that man should raise his hand
against any woman, and Leslie, OF all
women. There was a short, sharp
struggle, and then Sam was over
! powered and forced into a chair, where
he sat in sullen apathy.
When Leslie would have thanked him
and offered to help he frightened WON
an, Steele, with an air Of command, or
dered her to desist.
go straight back TO the Hermitage"
he ordered. peremptorily, "and stay
there till l come. This is no place for
you. Have no fear" he added, with
still smoldering rage; II shall spare
the life of this protege, who so nearly
killed you. When have left some one
TO take care of his wife and TO watch
him. will get q carriage and come to
the Hermitage for you. Go at onee!"
And Leslie, so used to commanding
and being obeyed, went down the stairs
without a word. She did not wait for
him, however. but as soon as she was
out of the alley ordered carriage to
take her home.
She arrived late for dinner, cold and
tired, and with unstrung nerves, but
as she knew that Steele would follow
to inquire after her welfare, she put
away her inclination to go to bed for
good cry, and, changing her gown,
put on a brave face for the occasion,
though her heart was anything but
brave. ~. '
1T is a waste of time" she confided
70 herself, ambiguously, as she sat by
the fire. Men are all alike-they do
not care for anyone but themselves
and Steele is only more honest than
the rest in owning that he does not
, care, and does not care whether he
cares or not OF course, he is a gentle
man, and would not strike a woman,
: as Sam did poor Marietta, but he has
! no heart, and that is bad enough
: II was a very mournful girl that
: Steele found a few moments later, but
5 he was evidently too excited to notice
her detection.
Z "He has new argument that he
I thinks will crush me-" she said to her
} self. in dismay. "And, oh, dear! l be-
, lieve a fly could crush me this even
ing"
Leslie" exclaimed Steele, Il have
: come 10 tell you"
y please, Steele" she entreated, hold
:, ing up an imploring hand, don't speak
+ of Kant or Darwin. My opinions are
l. firm as ever, but am so tired"
: Steele was holding both her hands
S and beaming down upon her as he stood
: by her chair
"Kant and Darwin may have been es
I Unable men, my dear, but for me jus
: at this time they have never existed
= have come TO ask you to advance M
I 10 the first class in sentiment. Like
, rood pupil, l have been studying
home. / have learned to carry you
4 picture next my heart and TO sIeei
C with one of your handkerchiefs unde
g my pillow. Ipress all the flowers tina
II YOU put into my buttonhole, and
: stole a little curl Of brown hair tina
S used to lie just back of your ear.
d think brown eyes with yellow lights i
.e them are the sweetest eyes in tn
$ world. and my heart thumps like
a trip hammer when you put your han
$ on nv arm. Not content with thinI
inc Of YOU by day and dreaming o
i YOU by night, have called the offic
lie bov Leslie, and addressed my gray
At headed employer a 5 Miss Mason. Ha'