The San Francisco call., 1906-06-24

over at McCintoek's can go ahead and
rouse the town if she wants to. I've got
no more to say"
He paused on his way to the door,
rstruck by the change in Vaughan. He
was like sleep-walker awakened by a
sudden shock
What did you say?" he asked. "A wo-
man? What is her name?"
.Forington.' said Jack distinctly Il
shouldn't have paid no attention to what
she said. althoug-4 she told straight
enough story about Gainsborough and all,
but the boy beln the image of you
A boy" stammered Vaughan.
Yes yearlin'," said Jac6 briefly, "an'
yours. if I'm any Judge of live, stock;
though she says she amt nothin' to you,
'cept as bein the chIlds mother, and is
here on his account
Vaughan put both hands to his head.
Here were the worlds crashing as he had
defied them to do; here was the rocking
of the spheres, Upon him, sensitive wind
harp, stretched to be breathed upon by
love, came the sledge-hammer blows of
fate.
The room reeled, desk and chairs and
rows of solemn books whirled dizzly
around hira; and in their midst Jack s
face looked out, small as if seen through
the reversed end of a telescope. His voice
sounded faint and far away.
I'm ready to fix up things any way you
say. I'll tell the folks-what in hell will
tell 'em?"
Again the room reeled and in the midst
of the crazy dance came whisperings
Why not let it go that way? Let it be as
she had said. She was nothing to him
except as the mother of his child, All,
but the child, His child, His son, His
lips stiffened as he tried to answer,
The woman is my wife, he said
weakly.
You don't need to lie. you know. She
can be got off somehow. You can pervide
for the kid. You amt obliged to saddle
yourself with her-nor him. He can be
took away" The voice was cold but not
unknd. Jack meant to see the thing
through"
Let her go. urged the whisperings. Now.
when paradise opens before you-let her
go. You owe that other woman some
thing, that woman with the honest gray
eyes.
But the child. his child. his son, And
the right of it. the right of it-what was
the right of it? Again the room went
voice faint and far away
"Parson, you don't need to bluff with
me- he was saying. He drew near and
laid great, kind hand on Vaughan's
knee.
''Oh, jack Oh, JacA.' cried the young
preacher. His head was on the big, gray
shoulder, the strong, gray arm was around
him. The whole story came out from be-
ginning TO end.
Some of 'em are like that" was Jacks
comment when he was through Con
trary; won't be druv nor led: but when
you've let 'em alone while. they come
Mebby she will She was pretty cranky
last night. If she hadn't a-fell into my
hands yes-day afternoon she'd hollered
the whole thing all over town. But 1
made her promise to keep still. / took her
to the Widder's and told the old gal to
make her comfortable l should a good
deal rather took her home but Lord
Marthy'd dug the whole story out of her
The Widder lets her eat separate from
the boarders. Well?" There was a world
of Interrogation in that one monosyllabIe
.I'll be ready to go over there with you
in moment said vaughan. He rose
unsteadily, grasping at the desk.
Haven't ct thing. I'll bet.'' growled
Jack. Thought So Set down. I'll make
you a cuD of coffee and bile you an egg.