Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-22

pared 70 stop at nothing-to interest gov
eminent officials-to get corner by dis
, honest means to steal it"
steal. Dalton.s face changed He was
no longer pale. THE street doesn't look
at those matters in that way"
Mr. Strong's laugh was not pleasant to
near. The street! 1t does not. perhaps.
too closely differentiate between an honest
man and a
, Charles control was fast slipping from
MN. NO man shall call me
"A THETA worse than theft" The
words rang out sharply.
Dalton's fist clenched: with an oath he
sprang upon the other. But the appraised
hand was arrested, held in grip like steel.
not tempt me to kill you. Once / intended
to.waited for you on the road
Charlie threw himself back The roaG!
Suddenly he began to understand-that
night of the eclipse party-Elnor's subse-
quent illness-her refusal to see him
He was watching-was behind us-and
saw"
For few moments neither spoke The
younger man stood as If stunned. A rap
on the door was drowned by the rattle
and rumble OF a passing omnibus. and a
loud chorus of voices on the street. Fisk
repudiates his obligations IAN about
the suicide Of"
The rap was repeated but not heard: the
door of the Office opened The lady en-
tered. who upon sight of the two men
stopped short, regarding them with mo-
mentary hesitation and indecision. She
started to speak when
But tell you If you think your wife"
began Charlie
Power of endurance suddenly deserted
his listener. An emotion primeval terrible,
transformed his face. Involuntarily the
girl drew back. half-coneealed by the
screen of great book case.
"HushH' he breathed hoarsely. Don't
mention her name!
The young made an aggressive
You needn't believe me-" he said. but
you can believe in her."
I'm herr
Whatever else Charlie was, or had been,
he was not a coward. Even the menace,
hatred written on the others face did not
deter him.
YES in her!" he reiterated. 81 swear to
you before that night
Richard Strong laughed-a laugh that cut
the listening girl like knife.
Before that night! OF course! Nothing
ever does happen before"
you do not want to know the truth"
"The truth! From your lips-or hers"
Something seemed to deaden his senses.
He saw himself a grotesque figure in
terrible eomedy-a play of Moliere's which
he had seen some years ago-and left be-
fore 1t had been finished!
you have acted a lie-in the office and
out of 1t. She lied at the altar. She has
lied ever since. You are both liars-both.'
He spoke against his will. He felt him.
self child unto himself. Fool! Triple
the window of his breast to his enemy. He
-self-contained-the man of reserve! 1t
seemed the most unnatural part of that
] unreal farce.
"Liars and worse!
womans slender figure came between
them.
"Elinorv'
1t was the younger man who spoke. But
!. was to Richard Strong she turned.
why are you here?"
Meeting his look, her purpose faded from
her mind; only his words-the words she
had overheard-flled her brain to the ex-
clusion of all else.
"Liarsw She had come to- tell him
the truth. yesterday and again today;
to confess her share of the blame
but now in the face OF his dark, accusing
glance, pretext or excuse seemed weak and
unavailing.
Her figure Strengthened lnvoluntarily. A
touch OF the old antagonfsm coursed
through her veins; chilled her. Repentance
humility. froze within her. White as mar
Bile, she stood with burning eyes.
II suppose" she said, II came to tell you
--liesg'
In his glance shone a savage. ironical
amusement. IT can believe that
Her gaze grew brighter. Believe what
you please" she cried.
Quickly Dalton stepped forward. 'D-n
it, Elinor, why don't you tell him"
LET her alone?' The voice was Richard
Strongs. sharp commanding. she's In
the mood to tell the truth"
The young man faced him passionately.
"6ince she won't speak, will
II believe" interrupted Richard Gtrong.
"our bustneas u ut an END.
But tell you The fault WAS milne; she