Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1906-09-06

"And you must understand that
never could have mentioned it, even now
if you had not spoken so kindly of-ot
what l may call our former meeting
And, of course, l wouldn't interfere with
your business affairs, even by sugges-
ton. But I know, from the way yor
spoke, what you would wish to do"
She paused and looked at him appeal
ingly. Downs eyes were fixed gloomily
upon the carpet
Il would never have dared suggest it
but you spoke SO kindly-of course, il
it would cause you loss"
NO." Downs admitted hopelessly. 81
suppose it wouldn't be much loss"
"Then you CAM" she said, eagerly
'Tm-Tm afraid" he stanmered
weakly, that its hardly possible. Har-
vey is the-you see, he is really-that
is, it's being managed by Harvey, you
know. l myself haven't anything to
that is-well, he is really the one who
is managing it, you see."
"Yes?"
For a moment he wavered, while his
standing with this woman and with
George Harvey hung in the balance.
eyes," he gasped at length, dabbing
his hot forehead with handkerchief, 81
suppose that ! might-that II could
help you. Yes, will I will send word
to Mr.. Pratt in the morning. Yes, you
may rely upon me-"
Il shall never forget your kindness, -
she said, with emotion.
"Oh, don't mention it! Pm-of
course, you know, I'm only too glad Of
an opportunity to repay you"
CHANGING tip, Downs saw his wife ap-
preaching. He rose and held out his
hand. Mrs. Gordon pressed it.
"You have more than repaid me" she
murmured as he turned away.
why did write you that had done
something awful and not tell you what
it WASP" said Mrs. Gordon, when she
saw her husband few days later. why,
because l had done something awful,
something perfectly dreadful. Oh, / be-
lieve l am the most wretched woman
in the world But did save you, Glenn
For you know he let Mr.. Pratt have
that stock, or whatever it was you
wanted, the very next day. And be-
iieve it was all that odious Harvey, as
you said at first. For he-I mean Mr.
Downs, dear-is certainly one of the
incest old gentlemen ever met. There
is more in him than you would think
He has kind heart-you needn't smile
indeed he has. His remembrance of
that little girl who saved his life was
perfectly lovely. And when think how
basely l acted"
"You haven't told me yet how basely
You did act" remarked her husband.
ooh, it was perfectly dreadful. l don't
see how l ever could have done it.
shall never get over it. l wish we had
and absolution in our church.
My conscience will trouble me as long
as l live, Pm sure And if he should
ever discover it, l should die, | know l
should. l could never look him in the
face again. And if he should happen to
tell his wife, she would know at once.
And even he might have known. Yes,
he was very ready to believe me old
enough. Why, l should have to be nearly
forty-fve. And he ought to know l
wasn't even born when his battle of Get
tysburg was fought"
whenever you feel like telling me, my
DEAR" suggested her husband
"Why, he told me story, the most
touching thing, about a little girl who
saved his life during the war Down
near grandfather's old place in Virginia;
and-and let him think was the one
who had done it."
ooh, one of his war stories. Ell? And
he promised to let up on us, did he?
Tell me the story; tell me all about il"
She did so.
"And you never would have thought
he had so much real nobility, would you,
dear? And when think of how wick
eddy I imposed upon him."
"Why," exclaimed her husband, after
a moments thought, Downs never saw
the Shenandoah Valley in war;"
"Whatp
mo; he belonged to the heavy ar
tillery and was garrisoned in New Or
leans from the time the city was cap
tured till he was mustered out"
And that story was all made up?"
at was, though / looked up his war
record when he ran for Congress.
1T can't be- won't believe it. Then
why didn't he refuse me?"
Il suppose, my dear, that it must have
been because he was influenced by a
woman And, incidentally, be-
cause he wanted you to think him as
good as he said he was"
why, what perfect wretchF said