The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-03

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low, predicated will in its every cadence
The man looked his gratitude. He, at
least, was willing enough.
Il am very sorry" from Freda. There
isn't time. He must come at once.
but, Miss Moioof, who are you that
you may possess yourself OF Mr.. Van.
derlip and command his actions?
IL" Freda hesitated, and then,
her feminine mind putting on its harness
land who are you to ask this ques-
tion?"
81? am Mrs. Eppingwell, and
"There!" the other broke in sharply.
you are the wife OF captain, VINO Is
therefore your husband. l am only a
dancing girl. What do you want with
this man.?
Since Miss Molcof appears to hold
claims upon you, Mr. Vanderlip, and is
in too great haste to grant me few sec
onds of your time / am forced to appear
directly TO you May l speak with you
alone and now?'
''Wny, er-that is, certainly the man
stammered "Of course, of course grow
ling more ELUSIVE at the prospect OF dehV-
crarce.
The Greek girl turned upon the man
with hell's tides aflood in her blazing
leyes. much as a bespangled lady upon a
lion which has suddenly imbibed the per
nicious theory that he is free agent.
The beast in him fawned to the lash.
THAT is to say, ali, afterward To
morrow, Mrs Eppingwell; yes, tomorrow.
That is what I meant" He solaced him
SELF with the fact, should he remain, that
more embarrassment awaited. Also, he
had an engagement which he must keep
shortly, down by the water hole off the
hospital We gods! He had never given
Freda credit! Wasn't she magnificent?
I'll thank you for my mask, Mrs Nc
Fee"
That lady. for once speeches., turned
over the article in question.
Good night, Miss Moloof' Mrs Ep-
pirgwell was royal even in defeat.
Frela reciprocated, though barely down
ing the impulse to clasp the others knees
and beg forgiveness. No, not forgiveness,
but something she knew not what but
which she none the less greatly desired.
The man was for her taking his arm;
but she had made her kill in the midst
Of the pack, and that which led kings to
drag their vanquished at the chariot tail
led her toward the door alone, Floyd Van
derlip close at heel and striving to re-
establish his mental equilibrium.
It was bitter cold. AS the trail wound
la quarter of a mile brought them to the
dancers cabin, by which time her moist
b. cath had coated her face frostily, while
his had massed his heavy mustache till
conversation was painful.
They did not talk at first, the man and
the woman While the maid helped F'reda
off with her wraps Floyd Vandcrlip re-
plenished the fire and by the time the
maid had withdrawn to an inner room, his
head ever the stove, he was busily thaw-
ing out his burdened upper lip. After
that he rolled a cigarette and watched
her lazily through the fragrant eddies.
She stole glance at the clock. It lacked
half an hour of midnight. How was she
to hold him? Was he angry for that
which she had done? What was his
mood? What mood of hers could meet
No, no. Hold him she<could, il need be
at pistol point, till Sitka Charleys work
was done, and Devereaux's, too.
his best? Not that she doubted herself.
There were many ways, and with her
knowledge of this her contempt FOR the
man increased. AS she leaned her head
on her hand a fleeting vision of her own
girlhood, with its mournful climacteric
and tragic ebb, was vouchsafed her, and
for the moment she was minded to read
him lesson from it. God! 1t must be
less than human brute who could not be
held by such a tale told as she could
tell But-bah. He was not worth it,
nor worth the pain to her.
To him it was very comfortable, sooth-
ing his lungs with nicotine and gazing
upon her. 1t was snug and warm here,
while down by the water-hole began a
trail which he would soon be hitting
through the chilly hours. He felt he
ought to be angry with Freda for the
scene she had created, but somehow he
didn't feel bit wrathful. Never gave
the girl credit for her grit. He looked
lingeringly over her, coming back now
and again to the eyes, behind the deep
earnestness OF which he could not guess
lay concealed a deeper sneer. And, dove,
wasn't she well put up! Wonder why she
looked at him so? Did she want to mar
Try him, too? Like as not; but she WASH,
the only one Her looks were in her
favor, warent they And young-younger
than Lorraine Lisznayi. She couldn't be
more than twentythree or tour, twenty
five at most And she'd never get stout.
Anybody could guess that the first time.
He couldn't say it of Lorraine, though.
IWhile this girl Freda-he sighed his I'M
conscious regret that he had missed be
ing born under the flag of the Turk, ana
came, back to Alaska.
.Wen?" Both hands Of the clock point
ed rerpendicularly to midnight, and it was
high time he was getting down to the
water-hole.
"Oh." Freda started, and she did if
prettily. delghting him as his fellows
have ever been delighted by their wo
menkind
81 was Just wondering what you want
ed TO see me about he explained. draw
ing his chair up to hers by the table.
"Floyd,' she looked him steadily in thf
Ieyes. II am tired of the whole business
till the river breaks. Il try IL ole
[ am sure of it. want to quit 1t all anc
go away, and I wantito DO II at once.
She laid her hand in mute appear upor
the back of his, which turned over am
became prison. Another one he thought
inst throwing herself at him. Guess