The Washington times., 1903-02-08

No. you were talking to yourself.
same as you used to. she said with the
.sardonlc smile that he remembered 50
well.
She was standing by the closed piano.
and Lloyd thought that the passing years
had touched her lightly. she was a
handsome woman Of the blonde type.
and in all her eheckered career she had
never lost sight Of the fact that her
power would disappear with her beauty.
Lloyd noticed that she was well dressed,
and he thought he detected a shade Of
embarrassment in her manner, which
struck him as being a little singular.
I suppose we might as we'll sic
down she said. dropping upon the
piano stool How're you been all these
years
7 don't know how that concerns you.
he replied, resenting the approach 10
familiarity. You said you wanted TO
see me; I am here-waat have you 20
say?"
They tell me you've steadied down
since saw you; that you've Joined the
church, and turned good that you've got
a wife and chIdren-
Lloyd had steeIed himself to bear
taunts and gibes, but the mention Of
Grace and the children seemed an IN
necessary refinement Of cruelty
7 told you these things didn't concern
you, he said angrily. Say what you'ys
got say. and have done with it,"
suppose I ought to have gone ahead
wf-aout trying to see you" she said.
ignoring his resentment and picking
nervousIy at the fringe Of the piano
cover. but 1 just didn't dare to trust
to luck 7 thought maybe after all these
years yo4'd be willing TO overlook what
I did that time when I was hard mp"
What do you mean2 I done under
stand you-"
4 mean about the money I made you
give me for keeping still. When I heard
that jim Bradley was dying. l went to
him and found cut that he had confessed
to the priest told hiTa ali about the
whole business-how you and John
Lloyd quarreled over the cards. and how
he shot John Just as your pistol went
Of"
For an iuterminable second Lloyd
thought he would suGocate. and then she
blood rushed from heart to braIa un5il
he had 10 turn to the window and catch
at the sash to keep from falling. she ap-
peared not to notice his agitation, aad
went on without looking up.
OF course. after that had to leave
the country. knew you'd. be mae enough
to kill me when you heard a6ou, IT, I
didn't mean TO come hack. hut Mr.. Dis
burn
She hesitated. but BY this time LLOYD
had regained enough presence of mind
to help her.
What about Disburn %
why, he says he won't live anywhere
but in Denver. and was afraid after ve
we're married you might get square With
me by telling him"
Was that what you wanted 30 see
me about" asked Lloyd. forcing himself
to speak calmly.
That was it,"
9TH, 80, 49, .- --~,,,- Mind o. ---4
upon that point shall say nothing 10
hin. Now answer me one question, now
10 you know it was BradIey's bullet and
not mine that killed your husband
II ought to know she replied. with
a trace Of the evil smile. Il took the
out OF your pistol. and load
ed it with blanks John was always a
little bit scared of you"
Lloyd turned 10 the window and looked
)ut into the street until he could trust
himself to speak again. Then &e sid;
Let US understand each other now, onCs
or all You have nothing 10 fear from
ne. either now or heneeforth. so long -
you keep on your side of the fence From
this day / shall try to forget that have
yer known you. and If you are as shrewd
as 1 take you TO be, you VIII do nothing
20 remind me OF that fact don't
think it's necessary to say any more.
Good afternoon"
When he reached the street he felt as
if he were walking on air He meant
to go straight home and his hand was
already raised to stop the passing car
when the demon Of business. in the per-
son of the prospective purchaser Of ths
BALD Eagle. seized upon him and bore
him back 10 his Office. whence he was
not suffered TO escape until long past
his usual hour.
When he was once more free, and had
boarded the North Denver car, his i'm
outran the rapid transit cleo
lrlcaI machine until the latter seemed
to creep by comparison. The journey
found its end at last. however. and Grace
opened the door for him as he ran Up
the steps.
Late again!" she said IN playful re-
proof The poor babies were heart
broken because they had to go 30 bed
without seeing you,
Its a shame" he admitted. taking
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