The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-08-16

OIyS. Tie wanted 10 see SOl-
stance once more. Then it
didn't much matter what happened.
AS he passed up the street he was
conscious of an impudent curiosity in
the covert glances the oilers on the
corners shot at him. With hardly an
exception they turned to gaze after him
as he STROBE by. He realized that an
unsavory distinction had been thrust
upon him. He had become IL marked
man. He set his lips in grim smile.
This was what he would have to meet
until the silly wonder of it Wore off or
a fresh sensation took its place. And
there would be the men at the shops.
There intercourse had hitherto been
rather pleasant and personal, as he
had recognized certain responsibilities
in the relation which had made him de-
sire to be more than a mere taskmaster
The thought of his theories caused him
to smile again His humanitarianism
had received a jolt from which it would
not recover in many a long day.
The hands already hated him as n
tyrant and probably argued that his
authority was impaired by the events
of the morning. though how they arriv-
ed at any such conclusion was beyond
him. but he had felt something of the
kind in Branyon's manner. When the
opportunity came it would be salts
faction to undeceive them, and he was
not above wishing this opportunity
might come soon. for his mood was bit
ter and revengeful when he recalled
their ignorant and needlcssly brutal
inSolence.
Early as he was he found. as he had
anticipated when he started out, that
Ryder was ahead of him. The editor
was lounging ON the Emorys' porch with
the family. He had dined with them.
AS Dan approached he caught the
sound of Constance's voice. There was
no other voice in Antioch which sound
ed the same or possessed the same
quality of refinement and culture. His
heart beat with quickened pulsations
and his pace slackened. He paused for
an instant in the shadow Of the lilac
bushes that shut off the we'll kept lawn
from the street. Then he forced him
self to go on. There was no gain in
Geferring his sentence. Better have it
over with. Yet when he reached the
gate he would gladly have passed it
without entering had it not been that
he never abandoned any project simply
because it was disagreeable. He had
done too many disagreeable things not
to have outlived this species of cow
ardice
The instant he saw him the doctor
rose from his seat on the steps and
came quickly down the walk. There
was no mistaking the cordiality he
gave his greeting, for he intended there
should be none. Mrs. Emory, too, took
pains that he should feel the friendli-
ness of her sentiment toward him.
Constance, however, appeared embar-
raised and i'll at ease, and Dams face
grew very white. He felt that he had
no real appreciation of the changed
conditions since his fathers story had
become public property. He saw it
made difference in the way his
friends viewed him. He had become
hardened and it had been impossible
for him to foresee just how it would
affect others, but to these people 1t
h.
ness he had experienced at the hands of
the doctor and Mrs. Emory only served
to show how great the shock was. In
their gracious, generous fashion they
had sought to make it easy for him.
Oakley and the editor did not speak.
Civility seemed the rankest hypocrisy
under the circumstances. A barely
perceptible inclination of the head SUI
feed, and then Ryder turned abruptly
to Miss Emory and resumed his con
versation with her.
Dan seated himself beside the doctor
ON the steps. He was completely
crushed. He hadn't the wit to leave
and he knew that he was fool fol
staying. What was the good in carry
ing on the uphill fight any longer.
Courage is fine quality, no doubt, but
it is also we'll for man to have sense
enough to know when he is fairly
beaten, and he was fairly beaten.
He took stock of the situation. Quite
independent of his hatred of the fel
low, he resented Ryders presence there
beside Constance But what was thu
use of struggling? The sooner he ban
ished all thought of her the better !
would .be for him. His chances hat
meyer been worth considering.
He stole glance at the pair, wht
had drawn little to one side ant
were talking in low tones and with th'
intimacy Of long acquaintance. HI
owned they We're wonderfully wei
suited to each other. Ryder was NJ
mean rival, had it come to that. TIL
world had given him it's rub. He knew
perfectly the life with which Miss EN-
ory was familiar His people had bee
the right sort. He was we'll born AM
we'll bred, and he showed it.
1t tlawned upon the unwilling Oai
lev slowly and by degrees that to Cor
stance Emory he must be nothing NOR
or less than the son of murderer
He had never quite looked at it in tina
light before. He had been occupie
~