The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1905-02-08

CONTINUED
Eyes, sah," acquiesced the darby,
giving way, but still in doubt. He fol-
lowed Thorpe cautiously, peering into
the smoking room on him from time to
time. A little after IL his patience
gave out. The stolid. gloomy man of
lower 6 seemed to intend sitting up all
night.
"Yo' berth is ready, sah." he delicate
ly suggested.
Thorpe arose obediently, walked to
lower and without undressing threw
himself on the bed. Afterward the
porter in conscientious discharge of his
duty looked diligently beneath the seat
for boots to polish. Happening to glance
up after fruitless search he discovered
the boots still adjoining the feet of their
owner.
"Well. for the lands sake!' ejaculat-
ed the scandalized negro, beating a
hasty retreat.
Thorpe descended at Twelfth street
in Chicago without any clear notion of
where he was going. For a moment he
lake front, then turned sharp to his left
and picked his way south up the inter
minable reaches of Michigan avenue
| Block after block he clicked along, the
calks of his boots striking fire from the
pavement
After an interval he seemed to have
left the smoke and dirt behind. The
| street became quieter; boarding houses
and tailors' shops ceased; here and
there appeared bit of lawn, shrub
berry and flowers. By and by he came
to himself to find that he was staring
at the deep carved lettering in a stone
horse block before large dwelling
His mind took the letters in one after
the other, perceiving them plainly be-
fore it accorded them recognition FL
nally he had completed the word Far
rand" He whirled sharp on his heel
mounted the broad white stone steps
and rang the bell.
1t was answered almost Immediately
by clean shaved, portly and dignified
man with the most impressive counte-
nance in the world. This man looked
upon Thorpe with lofty disapproval.
SIS Miss Hilda Farrand at homer he
asked.
81 cannot say" replied the man. eff
you will step to the back door l VIII
ascertain"
''The flowers will do. Now see that
the south room is ready, Annie" float
ed voice from within.
Without a word, but with a deadly
earnestness, Thorpe reached forward
seized the astonished servant by the
collar, yanked him bodily outside the
door, stepped inside and strobe across
the hall toward closed portiere whence
had come the voice. The river mans
long spikes cut little triangular pieces
from the hardwood floor. Thorpe did
not notice that. He thrust aside the
portiere.
Before him he saw young and beau
tiful girl. She was seated, and her lap
was filled with flowers. At his sudden
apparition her hands few to her heart,
and her lips slightly parted. For a
second the two stood looking at each
other. just as nearly year before their
eyes had crossed over the old pole trail.
To Thorpe the girl seemed more beau
dful than ever. The red of this vio-
lent unexpected encounter rushed to
her face, her bosom rose and fell in a
| fiuttering catch for breath, but her
eyes were steady and inquiring.
Then the butler pounced ON Thorpe
| from behind with the intent to do great
bodily harm.
"Morrisr' commanded Hilda sharply.
"wnat are you doingY
The man cut short his heroism in
| confusion.
"You may 60" concluded Hilda.
Thorpe stood straight and unwinking
by the portiere. After a moment he
spoke.
81 have come to tell you that you
were right and | was wrong" said he
steadily. You told me there could be
nothing better than love. In the pride
of my strength told you this was not
| so. I was wrong"
He stood for another instant looking
| directly at her, then turned sharply
and, head erect, walked from the room.
Before he had reached the outer door
the girl was at his side.
"Why are you going?" she asked.
81 have nothing more to say"
"NotlfinA?"
Nothing at ALL"
She laughed happily to herself.
"But have-much. Come back"
They returned to the little morning
room, Thorpe's calked boots gouging
out the little triangular burrows in the
hardwood floor. Neither noticed that
"What are you going to do nowY
| she catechised, facing him in the mid
die of the room. A long tendril of her
beautiful corn silk hair fell across her
eyes; her red lips parted in faint, visit
full smile; beneath the draperies Of her
loose gown the pure slender lines of
her figure leaned toward him.
II am going back" he replied pa