The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-09
CHAPTER XI.
H%ALF-PAsT one IN THE MORNING.

|' no ONE IN it1E MORNINCL
in w MD51" {st eITw e nei9 NJ a. Ransom to his room: The two women
wife had both retired and there was no other eye he feared. Indeed.
obtained and he had little reason to think it could not. So he went
downstairs.
In a moment he seemed to have passed from the realm of dreams
to that OF reality Here was no mystery. Here was life as he knew
it. Walking boldly into the office, he ran his eye over the half
dozen men who sat there and, picking out the lawyer from the rest,
sauntered easily up 10 him and sat down.
yourself I believe"
The lawyer, with a twinkle in his Hghtblue eye, answered with
{ cordial nod; and in two minutes a lively conversation had begun
between them on purely imPersonal subjects suited to the inteih-
gence Q. the crowd they were in. This did not last however. An
opportunity soon came for them to stroll off together; and presently
son to believe was the sole holder OF the key to the secret which was
A bottle of wine was on the table between them. and some cigars.
AS Mr.. Ransom filled the two glasses, he spoke:
81 have to thank you" he began, but saw Immediately that he
"NI For what. Mr.. Johnston asked the other cOldy.
For giving me this opportunity to speak alone with you, Kan
som explained with a nervous gesture. AN hour Of unrestramed
gossip is 50 necessary TO me after a day OF hard work Perhaps you
don't know that am an author-have been one tor seven "h9ie
hours. find it exhaustng. You could give me great relief by talk
every one in the house. the twin ladies from New York. You were
in the same coach with them. Did they quarrel and did the most
wilful Of the two insist o getting out at the loot OF the hill and
walking up through the lane?'
What If he added another name to the johnston
,ioa 1t f %G~Sd t mnkf to n . bi nPP5e'''Oe 's'e"' HI "'s " . ''1'"
Mr. Ransom felt his heart fail him. He surveyed closely the
mouth which had uttered this off-hand sentence and saw that it was
set in a line there was no mistaking. Little enlightenment was to
: 5f5 my wife sign the Will" ne asked. AN pretense aside this
is a very important matter to me, Nh. Harper not on account OF the
money involved, but because the doing OF this simple act seemed 70
REQUIRE such an effort on her part"
you are mistaken" was the quick reply, harshly accentuated
"She did Just what she wanted to do. She was not in the least
coerced, unless it was by circumstances"
circumstances! But that is what I mean. They seem to have
been too much for her. I want to understand these circumstances"
The lawyer honored him with his first direct look.
81 don't understand them myself said he. :
"You dont?'
? no"
Nh. Ransom set down the wineglass he had raised halfway to
his lips.
you have simply followed her orders?"
"You have said it. Your wife is a woman Of much more charac-
ter than you think. She has amazed me-"
"She is amazing me. l am here; she is here; only a few boards
separate us. But iron bars could not be more effectua1. I dare
not approach her door; dare not ask her to accept from me the
natural protection of a lover and husband. Instinct holds me back,