Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-03-24
THROUGH GATES OF FIRE.

the mist of tears that dimmed her eyes,
she smoothed out the ill-written serawl
and read steadily to the end. Such lot
of money--mOre than she could possibly
scrape together from her own resources!
Five pounds, or even ten, she could have
managed; but twenty And yet that
desperate, pitiful appeal. Impossible to
pay no heed, to pass it by in stony ST.
lenee as she had vainly threatened only
few short weeks ago. No; oh, no! a
thousand times no! What had gone be
fore was nothing-faded into sheerest in
significance beside this terrible, all-press-
ing need. She must ask Alan-at once!
| Crushing the letter into her pocket, she
summoned all her courage, tiptoed up the
stairs and tapped gently on the door OF
! his study.
"AIan, are you busy? l want to speak
to You a moment Yes, it is important,
or / would not trouble you. II want
you to give me ego please" There, it
was out! What would he say?
Twenty pounds!" Alan Winston laid
down his pen, pulled himself into more
comfortable position, and stroked his
moustache in the characteristic way he
had when thinking. HIN! But you will
tell me why? 1t is such-suc strange
request, unaccompanicd, 1 should like
to know more"
"No; please do not ask me. ! cannot
tell you Il cannot. really. Il am very
sorry, but / want it to be quite secret"
Il sect" What made him flash that
sudden, curious glance at her-the uneX-
pected yigor of the answer, or something
more remote, more sinister? "A wife
should have no secrets from her husband,
you know?" The smooth voice could say
cutting things of times. do not mistake
me, Ellice!" he continued THE money
you can have gladly-more if you wish; ;
but give me something confidence
in return! Surely it is little thing
to ask"
ITO ask-yes; but not to givei' came
back the answer. ooh, Alan, do not press
me! BE generous. big hearted, as know
you cant Some day | may explain; but
not now-not yet! Did not tell you be-
fore we were married that was crea-
ture of strange whims-that my life held
passages which it was better you should
never know"
yes; and, like an idiot, l vowed they
did not matter" His voice shook pas
sionately; he had risen now and stood
before her with eyes that flashed danger
ously But | did not know, could not
know, that they would lead-where they
have led! | am your husband~yes, in
name; but how much more? Into your
real life | hardly enter; | have no share
in any but its veriest externals. You
play hostess to my host, housekeeper to
| I..A Il.
He broke off suddenly; turned on hel
with dramatic swiftness. rs it to be
wondered at that | grow angry and
suspicious? Tell me who the man is you
meet so frequently man You were
talking to in the street for half an houl
the other night"
"Ah, you know that" That startled
little cry. Under his torrent - word'
she had stood there strangely quiet, will
never culver, never n murmur, to show
how they hurt; but now she was another
woman, creature OF tingiing, tense
strung nerves who thrust herself sud
denly forward and seemed trying I,
pierce his very soul with her searchin!
glance. ALAN, who has told you? VIVA
have they said? What else mcrcifu
heaven what else?'
"Nothing" He turned away coldly
sick at heart to note the all too lai1
dismay. Not syllable l found on
tor myself by purest accident. Till nov
: have said nothing, asked no question
r hoping against hope that you would tax
, me into your confidence. But no. | an
+ left in ignorance, in bitter darkness, t
draw Just what conclusions | like |
they are wrong -uniust--who shall blam
, me? Ellice. what is this cloud that ha
come between us?" he demanded, huskilN
Tell me, and dispense it once for all
/, or
= "Or whats" she echoed, DULY. One
, more she was the woman OF meek sub
: mission, of apathy; like prisoner wait
+ ing sentence she hung there on his word,
2 "0r-oh, why do YOU make me say it ?
e he urged, impctuously. "Ellce, this mus
n end--must, l say! We are wasting on
. lives. you and I. Every day we drift
:. farther and farther apart; and sooner O
. later-oh, it is impossible, unthinkablC
that We can go on longer rs we are!s
Very well, Alan" Slowly She face
= him. VERY We'll! Il think | under
= stand, 1t shall end yes, at once! Their
: there is something else | wished +
:, speak to you about, something l ought +
u say before
. But he waved her away with gesture
Il No. No more -now."
p Very well. lit shall be rs vo,
le wish, Alan. am sorry to have dis
'e tmbed YOU; l know that YOU are busv
Il She bent over and brushed his forchca,
p with her lips. Next second the door ho(
1t closed; he was alone Soon afterwards
N woman in dark hat and Jacket. carrviul
st bag, hurcicu down the street. Al m,
is corner stood man. obviously waiting
=, looking out for her.
Is "Halloa. here Won are." was his roug)
M greeting as She came up GREATNESS. q
,f Thought you Were never coming! Well
d have You brought it? You know what
" will happen if"
d Yes. yes; l know" she painted hack
IS See, there's seventeen! It's all have
W yes, to the last penny! You must stav,
e them off with that; and Ill-Pll oct IN,