New-York tribune., 1903-07-28

ing at pipe before the fire IN the rooms Of the
Residuum. he recOllected what Bradford had
said. and retailed it to Kate with gusto-sav.
the part Of the conversation which related To
that young doctor OF philosophy
I'm certain, from what he said. Katherine.
that the p-pickle maker is going to give l-Iot OF
money to Carfax.'
How soon?"
That don't know. Frank d-didn't say. But
soon. OF course. or he wouldn't have mentioned
it to m-me."
How much?'
He wasn't d-dehnite. But he talked about a
m-million year.
"a million fddlesticksr'
He offered to b-bet on it," said shedsy.
arsumentatively And by the way. he asked
me not to mention il; but OF course he didn't
mean you. since you were his b-best man"
There were those rumors last year. said
Kate. thoughtfully
Must be something in it" said Shedsy. COM
fortably. Kate glanced at him angriIy. but
Shedsy was warming his hands, quite uncon-
scious of having given cause Of annoyance
'N-nasty night. out certainly do Like hav-
ing my own fire"
What time is it?''
only nine. After all Frank told me about
his having his wife t-trained. do you know what
happened She came in US; I s-skipped
| out She's queen, isn't she? Where are you
going. for h-heavens sake@'
I've got a headache. and want some fresh
air.
why, boy. it's b-blowing like the mischief
and d-down TO zeror'
Il don't care" Kate went out into the cold.
He had been moping and unsocial. as Shedsy
said. and he felt no less so tonight since hear
ing shedsys rumor. He felt useless incom-
petent What influence upon his own fortunes.
| he wondered. would this news OF Shedsy's. IL II
| were true, as 1t probably was. in some form
! Other-what influence would II have upon his
/ fortunes. and the fortunes Of his friends ths
| Cravens? DR.. Craven was no 70 have the
| spending of a million a year. He would resign.
| Kate 1ercely resolved that he. too. would re
sign; together they would go anywhere: To
! what? The world seemed TO have got by them
both some way; they represented stagnatiOn IN
/ the midst OF progress. society on the watch
] for money in the mud has no time TO read
| Greek. His thoughts were indefnabIy bitter as
he marched along the Icy sidewalks. He hard
7 ly knew why they were bitter; he hardly knew
/ what he was railing so 1ercely against AT
/ length he became aware that he was chilled
and that his errant walk had led him to the
presidents house; and he rang. feeling dark
| scorn of himself Marion Craven herself opened
/ the door and let him in "Oh. It's you?' she
! said. Want to see the dad?"
| No"
| Come to see neon this cold night? That Is
good Of you. Sit down and talk to me nicely
She took the piano STOOL with an air Of resurnfns
| some occupation. and as he said nothing. began
( TO touch out a melody dreamily. The notes
| dropped one by one. into his bitter musings. II
this word was true undoubtedly they meant 70
force the president out. After his years Of ser
vice they might have let him alone little
/ while; perhaps he would not have annoyed them
1 for
was in the air, and the pickle maker or who
ever else was at the back Of the plan. was only
like the rest of the world. A man was kept a.
long as he could work. and then turned out 70
die For himself. Kate thought he desired no
more; but Dr. Craven was different What OBJ
! stacle was that in the way? Kick it to one side
said the world, and let US get on for Gods sake,
The obstacle was DR.. Craven; and DR.. Craven
] was
| You are unconventional tonight"
| Yes. I'm feeling little blue"
| Won't you tell me about it?"
There was something in the tone. far more
| than in the words, which unlocked his heart.
He stood up-how big e was.-and came toward
| her; and Marion Craven. 10 whom the question
! had meant little. that In his eye which
| made her look down at her fingers picking out
| the dreamy. desultOry tune
! Yes. I've been feeling blue. Do you know
| why? Because I'm little Of a man. and yet
because love you so much
| Mr.. Strong
| II know I'm presumptuous. I beg your par
, don I beg your pardon. honestly. I'm such
| fool Only, I've cared so much, and long.
/ that when you asked me just now. I couldn't
! help telling you. I'm very sorry"
She rose and faced him. DO you know what
you are saying?'
"Oh. yes. I know well enough I haven't
| any excuse TO offer. I've wanted to say II
/ long time, though. Of course know how pre-
| posterous it is. A woman Ike you-couldn't be
/ expected TO care for such L WeIl-Tu say
/ good night Pm sorry II annoyed you; but
/ I'm not sorry I told you. couldn't help it.
( love you, and I have for years"
| He was not looking at her. and he did not
| see the wonder in her eyes change slowly TO a
| light which was verv soft. They stood little
| apart the woman young at thirty-fve. the boy
| old at twenty-seven. He turned to go
7 don't see" she whispered why It is-pre-
! posterous.'
| At that he looked up. and saw her face.
Wait wait"' she cried breathlessly. IT am
i shall be thirty-six my next birthday. I have
| been engaged 10 other men There was one T.
cared about. Can you take me on those terms7
Can you take old woman-almOst?"
He only stared at her without moving while
the fire cracked and purred in the stiffness
do you rnean-you love me little?"
Not a little" Her hands played with her
chain Not a little. A great deal"
That is worth waiting these years for"
oh" she exclaimed suddenly. do you think
have just begun to care? Why. why. have
you let them go by? We might have known
long ago before I was old woman-almost'