Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-11-30

conscious; ana also. 1t had not even
entered my head. as I listened, to
beg for mercy. Not that there would
have been the least use in begging;
as we'll try to pray a statue into life,
as try to soften that set Will and pur-
pose. Still, many man would have
weakened-and | had not weakened.
But when was once more in my
apartment-in our apartment-per-
haps | did show that there was a
weak streak through me. | fought
against the impulse to see her once
more that night; but | fought in
vain. | knocked at the door of her
sitting-room-a timid knock, for me.
No answer. knocked again, more
ioudlv-then a third time. still more
loudly. The door opened and she
stood there, like one of the angels
that guarded the gates of Eden after
the fall. Only, instead Of a flaming
sword. hers was of ice. She was In
dressing-gown or tea gown. white
and clinging and full Of intoxicating
hints and glimpses of all the beauties
Of her figure. Her face softened as
she continued to LOOK at me, and I
entered.
"No-please don't turn on any more
lights" l said. as she moved toward
the electric buttons. Il just came
in toto see If could do anything for
you" In fact, l had come, longing
for her to do something for me, to
show in look or tone or act some
sympathy for me in my loneliness
and trouble.
mo, thank you," she said. Her
voice seemed that of a stranger who
wished to remain stranger. And
she was evidently waiting for me to
60. You will see what a mood was
in when | say | felt as had not since
|, very small boy indeed, ran away
from home; | came back through the
chilly night to take one last glimpse
Of the family that would soon be
realizing how foolishly and wickedly
unappreciative they had been of such
a treasure as |; and when | saw them
sitting about the big fire in the lamp
light, heartleSsly comfortable and I'M
concerned, it was all | could do to
keep back the tears of strong self.
pity-and | never saw them again.
1--WE seen Roebuck," said to Anita,
because must say something, if
was to stay on.
'Roebuck?" she inquired. Her
tone reminded me that his name con.
veyed nothing to her.
He and | are in an enterprise to.
gether," | explained. HE is the one
man who could seriously cripple me-
"0h," she said, and her indifference
forced though | thought it, wounded
| WELL" said |, your mother was
right"
She turned full toward me, ara even
in the dimness | saw her qui3G sym.
pathy-an impulsive flash instantly
gone. But it had been there!
81 came in here" went on, TO say
that-Anita, it doesn't in the least
matter. No one in this world, no one
and nothing, could hurt me except
through you So long as | have you
they-the rest-all Of them together
can't touch me-"
We were both silent for several min.
utes. Then she said, and her voice
was like the smooth surface of the
river where the boiling rapids run
deep: But you haven't me-and
never shall have. I've told you that
| warned you long ago. No doubt you
will pretend, and people will say, that
l left you because you lost your
money. But it won't be So"
Twas beside her instantly, was look
ing into her face. what do you
mean?" asked, and l did not speak
gently.
She gazed at me without finching
And | suppose" she said satirically
you wonder why why you are re
pellent to me. Haven't you learned
: that, though may have been made In.
to moral coward, I'm not a physical
coward? Don't bully and threaten
It's useless" ..a-.
I put my hand strongly on her
shoulder-taunts and ieers do not
turn me aside. What did you
mean?" | repeated.
Take your hand Of me-" she com.
manded. ..,s -.
Il What did you meant" repeated
sternly. Don't be afraid to answer"
She was very young-so the taunt
stung her. II was about to tel you"
! said she. when you began to make
1t impossible"
l took advantage Of this to extri.
cate myself from the awkward 20
sition in which she had put me-
took my hand from her shoulder.
Il am going to leave" she an
nounced. s'
you forSst that you are my wife,
said |.
4 am not your wife," was her an.
! swer, and IL she had not looked 30
childlike. there in the moonlight all
in white, could not have held myself
in check. 50 insolent was the tone and