The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-05-31

long TOT hcr 70 see tnaL something
was the matter. 50 he blurted il out.
cruelty perhaps. for he was excited.
and as rapidly as he could. First she
stormed and rayed: then she pleaded.
and finally she threatened. He felt
SO free. 50 glad. that il was all over
between them that he gave little heed
to her threats and not until she spoke
OF going 70 see the woman he was
about TO marry and tell her the whole
story did he awaken to the folly Of
his ways. She stood and laughed al
his distress. and even Knocked min.
and then 10 him the lights seemed 10
go out and there was nothing before
him but her mocking face. In bis
madness ne rushed upon her and felt
his fingers about her white, slender
throat. and he ehoked the words in
their birth.
Morels words were bitter and came
through his clenched teeth, while his
fingers worked convulsively as he
struggled to overcome his emotion.
Norton moved little uneasily in his
chair ana Rowe tossed his half-burned
cigar into the fire. Danvers moistened
his lips and half arose. as though to
speak, only to sit down again in ST.
lence. The big clock at the other end
OF the room could be heard ticking its
accompaniment TO the pattering OF the
rain that was steadily falling outside,
and the rumble Of the thunder that a
moment ago seemed overhead was
growing fainter and fainter as the
storm passed dow the valley
For time they sat In silence. walt
ing for Morel to continue. There were
still traces OF emotion In his voice as
he slowly picked up the thread OF his
story and went on toward the finish
HE didn't think, after what nad
happened. she would ever dare 70 try
TO do as she said. but one night, as he
was calling on his fancee the bell
rang and the servant admitted some
one TO the hall, who loudly demanded
10 see the woman that had siO.en ner
lover away. She forced her way into
the parlor where they were sitting
and, before he could stop her. she had
told enough Of the story to make this
pure, innocent girl shrink with nor
ror. He tried to interfere. but the
girl that he had hoped to some day
call his wife bade him be silent and
his former friend Of the chorus went
on and told the rest Of the story with
all its sickening details. When she
had finished speaking, she stood wait
ing for a response, but the bride-to-
be simply stepped into the hallway
and opened the door and, as the
chorus lady was about to pass out.
said, low and clear: What you told
me may have been true. but all |
have to say is that and she looked
the other over with scorn, 4 gave him
credit for better taste. Goodnight
When she returned. he was stand
ing in the parlor looking out the win
dow ashamed 70 face her, and"
Morel stopped suddenly and listened.
but 1t was only Rowe striking a
match to light another cigar-"she
didn't say anything for a little while.
just stood and looked at him: then
she crossed over to where he was
standing and putting her hands on his
shoulders. turned him aroGLd so she
could look into his eyes.
Isis this true? she asked.
'He didn't answer-he couldn't His
head just dropped forward with its
weight of shame. at the look OF re-
proach in her eyes. and his lips framed
the word Yes
"she gave one little half-stined cry
of pain and shrank away from him as
though his very presence was con-
tamination. There was nothing he
could plead in extenuation. and he
stood there silent until she laid her
hand upon his arm and softly said:
Bid me good-by and CO.
Morers voice broke with a sob and
he buried his face in his hands. The
big clock at the end OF the room was
still ticking away merrily and the
last few rain drops we're dropping on
the porch outside. There was a low
OF voices from the parlor
across the way and the slam OF a door
in the hallway as some one went cut
into the night. Danvers had sid into
the chair and sat looking across the
table at Morel, fascinated.
There isn't much more to tell"
Morel resumed. choking with re-
pressed feeling. "She went away and
be never saw her again-she just
pined away and-and died.
And the chorus girl?" asked Dam
vers.
Was Loie Sherardl"
Danvers uttered a smothered curse
and his fingers sank deep into the
leather cover Of his char Morel sat
looking at the floor his fac stern.
his lips contracted to a thin. straight
line.
IL new" Danvers was about to
say something when he was interrupt
ID by the club doorman.
Your cab is waiting. Mr. Danvers."
Danvers rose to his feet and cross
ng the room sfonDad IN from. of