Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-04-26

TO ignore the usages of his fellows
/ have much pleasure" he said, with
grave Jocularity, Tin accepting your kind
invitation to dine on Wednesday week;
and | am yours truly, CIaud Tyars."
Helen laughingly expressed her pleas
ure that he was able TO come, and return
ed to her chair beside the little table.
She was quite her gentle. contained self
again. The signs of embarrassment. if
such they were, had quite disappeared.
and she asked him to find a chair for
himself with just that modicum of famil-
lar1ty which one allows ones self toward
the intimate friend of brother or sister.
This ne did, frankly bringing a seat near
er to the small table.
If, he continued, sit will be any sat
isfaction to your hospitabIe mind, | will
disclose the fact that my friend Easton
is also able to avail himself of your
kindness"
am glad" she said, glancing across
at him with those gravely questioning
eyes OF hers, which somehow conjured up
thoughts of olden times, of quieter DAYS
when there was time to think and live
and love. Mr.. Tyars," she continued.
L have an apology to make to you"
He looked at her without speaking for
some moments. In another man one
would almost have suspected a desire to
prolong the contemplation of a very
lovely, shamed face
For what?" he said at length.
For disliking you'll mean for begin
ming to dislike you. 1 don't-I-that
was at first
1 wonder" he said, with quick mer-
cy, IF you know why you began by
disliking me-"
Il think l do"
lie smiled and turned away his eyes
rather suddenly. There was a paper
knife lying on the table, and he took it
up. subsequently balancing it on his fin
Der while she watched him with vague
and mechanical interest
Tell me-" he said.
Jealousy"
"Ah !"
He glanced almost furtiveIy toward
her and caught a passing smile. 1t was
now his turn to look i'll at ease. She
maintained silence in a determined way
which somehow threw the onus of the
pause on his shoulders. At last he threw
the paper knife down on the table with
qlatter.
You are right" he said, almost blunt
ly. Il have acted like-a-coward.
And you are not a coward?''
He raised his eyebrows. The glance
of her eyes as they rested on his great.
stalwart frame Cancelled the interroga
ton.
Il have never thought so until now"
She shook her head with rather
wistful smile.
Then | have reason" she said, "to
be jealous. You are drawing Oswin away
from me?"
Before replying he rose, and during
the rest of their conversation he never
took Il seat again, but continued moving
about the room with a certain strange
restlessness which is very uncommon in
big men.
What is your mission?" she asked
Again he stopped. He stood before her
with his strong arms hanging motionless,
his great brown hands half closed and
quite still, as they always were unless
actually at work. He certainly was a
picture of strength, a perfect specimen
of the human animal, as he had called
himself.
Arctic exploration" he answered 81
mean to reach the north pole some day.
1t happened that Helen knew a good
deal about Arctic matters. The admiral
had been bitten by the strange craze in
his younger days. Like many others, he
had for time given way to the spirit of
exploration which is hidden somewhere in
every Englishman's heart. Every book
of Arctic travel yet printed was to be
found in his smoke-scented den, and
Helen had read most of them.
She knew, therefore, what the end
would be. To hear man say that he
intends to reach the north pole is one
thing to know what he is talking about
and believe in his intention is quite an
other. To Helen Grace the fuller knowl-
edge was given, and she sat looking at
Claud Tyars with a dull anguish in her
eyes.
And you want Oswin?" she whis-
pered
He did not answer, but turned away as
from something that he could not face.
and stood by the window, looking down
into the street.
He stood beside the window, not NOV
ing muscle All this had been thought
out This interview had been foreseen.
Oswin had asked that he might break
the news to his sister and father, but
Tyars had claimed the right himself His
was the onus, and his must be the blame
There was no desire to shrk response
blllty; indeed, he seemed to court it,
Helen Grace must be deceived-it was a
contemplate thing to do-and he would
have none other but himself He stub
bornly took it all upon his own shout
derS.
Il suppose" said Helen at last, that
he wants to 60"
"Of course" was the answer. What
sailor would not? But l persuaded him
the fault is all mine"
She looked up sharply.
And Mr.. Easton?" she inquired, with
keen logic.
Yes, yes; but l chose your brother
Tn matter rests with me, and-the
blame
What has Mr.. Easton to do with it?"
she asked; and he knew that she was al
ready prejudiced against the American
lie is getting up the expedition-the
first one"
And he goes with you?"
No" replied Tyars; Il have already
told you-he is physically incapacitat-
ed"
She gave a little laugh-a very I'M
pleasant laugh for a man to hear from
the lips of a woman. Fortunately Mat
thew Mark Easton was spared the cru
city of hearing it.
II like you" she said. for telling
me- There were so many other ways of
doing it-so many easier ways for you
but you chose to tell me yourself"
To this he said nothing. Despite his
capable air, despite an unusual rapidity
Of thought which took the form of action
IN emergencies, he was not able to reel
off glib phrases at the proper moment.
Suddenly her proud self-restraint seem
ed TO give way.
Il suppose" she said. softly. almost
pleadingly. that nothing will deter you 2"
"One word from you would deter me-
he said, but l do not think that you