Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-23
CHAPTER XIII.
Dalton Ia Puzzled.


| missed the thought He, care for her now!
| He yield to a moments weakness?
Curious chances followed her as she walk
ed through the outer Offices
Wonder If she's been settling?' murmur-
| ed one of the clerks.
4. "She? That's his wife, answered fellow
| knight of the pen.
Turning into the narrow street, Elinor
| moved on without thought of where she was
| going. She vaguely conscious OF a
mournful throng of people approaching and
!, passing and felt that in greater or less
| degree they were Of kin; that she was one
! of them. Here failure was written on
pinched, white face; there ruin looked out
| of the haunting depths of dark eyes How
| dreary the world was! How hopeless the
| future! The spirit that erstwhile had gus
| tanned her was succeeded by weight and
| depression she could not throw off.
Standing at the corner of the street and
| Broadway young man waited. Now he
strobe to and fro; then paused and wiki
| mingled anxiety and restlessness surveyed
| the figures drawing near Why did she not
come? And when she did come what should
| he say to her? Reflectively he gaZed across
| the road toward the church The from.
| door of the sacred edifice was open; few
people were entering; few going out.
He began to consider his position and hers
| and found himself enmeshed in confusion
! Of conflicting influences. He was alternate
| ly depressed and elated; detected and hope
| full.
In CO." he thought, land think 1t over"
Then her words in the office required to
| him: IAN l wish is to be free"'
Il knew it! l knew it!'' he repeated, and
| fingered Again he gaZed eagerly down the
| street A new and greater impatience moved
| him. then his manner changed; warm hue
| mantled his cheek and he advanced quickly.
'Elinor!'
With start she regarded him; but II
| Dalton had expected any sign OF satisfac-
| ton from her at the sight of him, any trace
| Of a deeper feeling, he was doomed to
| disappointment. Her face was cold. pale;
| word OF answer to his exclamation she
walked on involuntarily he followed For
| a few moments there was silence; the exult-
| ant look In his eye while he had watched
! for her faded.
II was waiting for YOU" he began slowly.
| For several days l have been trying to
| see you"
| She did not reply at once. EYES," she said
| finally in low voice, they told me you
| called
His eyes searched her quickly. Her tone
| was monotonous, dull That was but
| natural, however, under the circumstances,
| after the events of the morning. Dalton
| hesitated, strove to think of something to
say, and the silence became oppressive.
II know how you must blame me-" he at
last went on.
She looked straight ahead 81 blame my
self
For some time Dalton pondered over her
WOrOS. PefndpS he Udu WdHltu HSi "
blame him; perhaps he had expected that
She would do SO. Her answer nov seemed
somehow to exclude him from the pale of
her thoughts
"You?'' he said why" and stopped.
She offered no further explanation. Al
though conscious of his presence, she was
more vividly cogpizant OF the expression or
| Richard Strong's face when last she had
looked at him. Despite herself, that final
impre ssion fingered with her; she could not
| dismiss IT.. She felt it now, and was fam to
pass her hand before her eyes
Il wanted to tell you-how sorry was.
She regarded Dalton calmly. Empty, dis
tant meaningless sounded his voice.
Charlie bit his lip. Il know II sounds very
trite," he returned.
She did not controvert the statement and
number of excuses he had in his mind
died on his lips. This seemed neither the
time nor the place for them. For The mo-
ment his self-poise suffered; he knew MIN
self mastered by circumstances. rather than
master of them. The consciousness OF his
fall from fortune hung over him IKE pail
And that other chain binding him-the Sc
cret elation he had Rugged to his breast was
not without its tinge Of bitterness.
where are you going?' he asked look
ing at the pavement.
"Going?'' she repeated II don't know"
1t seemed as If she were speaking OF the
future, not the immediate present. Charne
siackened his pace. but she continued TO
move on without noticing and once more he
regulated his steps to hers.
The street was now almost Vlvidly pr'Sht
In tho sunshine. The paving blocks shone
from the recent rain; the sldewa:ks eieann-
ed the carriages reflected me Hga.;
and all the world gowed with external
cheer. Above, the sky was of Deep clari-
fed blue; against the horizon the dark
clouds lay like a parted veil that was 1ase
vanishing.
swering spark Was there no ray of sun
shine anywhere for them? That day had
been a trying one. But the morrow? An
optimistic feeling that Things woulo
straighten themselves somehow moved
him. He was young yet; the road lay long
before them; her presence was the ineen-
tive for secret sanguine imaginings.
He began to talk of other matters Money
that was easily won. Had he not once
acquired it quickly? He could do so again:
life was a game for wealth. power; he would
win for himself place. But there was
more besides-one thing especially.
Again he strove to catch her glance, led
away by his own feverishness.
Don't you think so?" he asked.
She did not reply; he repeated his ques-
ton.
'What?" she said.
He stared at her She had not heard.
His words had fallen on ears that were
deaf With knitted brows he walked on
In the press of belated people, they came
together and were separated At the curb
of an lntersecting street he touched her
arm, drawing her back from a carriage.
AS he did so a man looked down on them
from the vehicle, and, with a quick eXcla-
nation, she started back. But an instant
the carriage passed on; Richard Strong did
not look around. She stood there with
flushed face, her hands closed. Appear
ances were all against her; he who had
been sure before, now must feel assurance
doubly sure.
Dalton's attitude was the antithesis to
her own. a few muttered words from him,
as he gazed after the vanishing form,
sharply recalled her from her stupor. Sud
den anger assailed her.
HUSH she said. You shall not say
that"
He regarded her not without wonder
the kindling gaze; the firmly pressed lips
you defend him, Elinor? Have you for
gotten
"I'n not hear word against him. she
cried.
why, he called you-he thought you
What has that to do with it?'i she an
swered passionately.
For the second time that day she had
greatly surprised him. First, in the Of
flee; now here. A moment he stared at
her,
do you know what think?' he said. 81
believe
Believe what you pease!' she exclaimed
wildly. Only leave me-"
You mean that?"
His features grew more haggard: his