Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-11-09

appeared, gave place TO look OF ner-
vous alarm, Of terror even, at the
rustling, or, rather, bustling, Of skirts
In the hall-there was war in the very
sound, and felt it, Mrs. Ellersly ap-
peared, bearing her husband as a de-
Jected trailer invisibly but firmly
coupled. She acknowledged nv salu-
tation with stiff-necked nod, ignored
my extended hand. saw that she
wished to impress upon me that she
was very grand lady indeed; but,
while my ideas Of what constitutes a
lady were at that time somewhat be.
logged by my snobbishness, she failed
dismally. She looked Just what she
Was-a mean, bad-tempered woman,
in towering rage.
You have forced me, Mr.. Black.
lock" said she, and then | knew for
Just what purpose that voice of hers
was best adapted-"to say to you
what should have preferred to write.
Mr.. Ellersly has had brought to his
ears matters in connection with your
private life that make it imperative
that you discontinue your calls here"
MY private life, ma'am?" | repeat
ed. Il was not aware that | had a
private life"
Anita, leave us alone with Mr..
Blackjack" commanded her mother.
The girl hesitated, bent her head,
and with a cowed look went slowly to-
ward the door. There she paused.
and, with what seemed a great effort.
lifted her head and gazed at me. How
ever came rightly to interpret her
LOOK | don't know, but said: Miss
Ellerlsly, I've the right to insist that
you stay" / saw she was going to
obey me, and before Mrs. Ellersly
could repeat her order said: Now.
madam, if any one accuses me of hav-
ing done anything that would cause
you to exclude a man from your
house, / am ready for the liar and his
lie."
AS spoke was searching the
weak, bad old face of her husband for
an explanation. Their pretense of out
ragged morality rejected at once-it
was absurd. Neither up town nor
down, nor anywhere else, had done
anything that any one could regard as
breach of the code of a man of the
world. Then, reasoned |, they must
have found some one else to help
them out Of their financial troubles
some one who, perhaps, has made this
insult to me the price, or part of the
price, of his generosity. Who? Who
hates me? In instant answer, up be-
fore my mind flashed a picture of
Tom Langdon and Sam Ellersly arm
in arm entering Lewis office. Tom
Langdon wishes to marry her; and
her parents wish it, too; he is the
man she was confessing to me about
these were my swift conclusions.
We do not care to discuss the mat.
ter, sir" Mrs. Ellersly was replying,
her tone indicating that it was not fit
to discuss. And this was the woman
had hardly been able to treat ciyilly
SO nauseating were her fawniugs and
gatherings!
So! | said, ignoring her and open.
Ing my batteries full upon the old
man. You are taking orders from
Mowbray Langdon. Why?
AS spoke. l was conscious that
there had been some change in Anita
| looked at her, With startled ewes
and lips apart, she was advancing to.
ward me.
Anita, leave the room!" cried Mrs
Ellersly harshly, panic under the com.
mand in her tones.
felt rather than saw my advan.
tage, and pressed it.
You see what they are doing, Miss
Ellersly," said |,
She passed her hand over her eyes
let her face appear again. In it there
was an energy Of repulsion that ought
10 have seemed exaggerated to me
then. knowing really nothing of the
true situation. Il understand now,"
said she. "0h-it is-loathsomel"
And her eyes blazed upon her mother.
"Loathsome," l echoed, dashing at
my opportunity. IF you are not mere
E a chattel and a decoy, il there is
any womanhood, any selfrespect in
you, you will keep faith with me-"
"Anita!" cried Mrs. Ellersly. Go
to your room!"
l had, once or twice before, heard
a tone as repulsive-a female dive
Keeper hectcring her wretchd white
slaves. | looked at Anita. | expect.
ed to see her erect, defiant. Instead
she was again wearing that cowed
look.
Don't Judge me too harshly," she
said pleadingly to me. 81 know what
Is right and decent-God planted that
TOO deep In me for them to be able to
uproot It, Butch, they have broken
my will! They have broken my will!
They have made me a coward. a
thing! And she hid her face in her
hands and sobbed.
Mrs. Ellersly was about to speak. l
could not offer better proof Of nv own
strength Of will than the fact that I
with look and a gesture, put her
down Then said to the girl:
| lyon muSt choose ror.t ttr