Free press., 1906-09-22

And you must understand that I
never could have mentioned it, even now,
If you had not spoken so kindly of-of
what l may call our former meeting.
And, of course, wouldn't interfere with
your business affairs, even by sugges-
ton. But l know, from the way you
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, if
it would cause you loss"
NO." Downs admitted hopelessly 81
suppose it wouldn't be much loss"
Then you CAM" she said, eagerly.
'Tm-Pm afraid" he stammered
weakly, that it's hardly possible Har-
vey is the-you see, he is really-that
is, it's being managed by Harvey, you
know. | myself haven't anything to
that is-well, he is really the one who
is managing it. you see."
"Yes?"
For moment he wavered, while his
standing with this woman and with
George Harvey hung in the balance.
'Yes," he gasped at length, dabbing
his hot forehead with handkerchief, Il
suppose that I migbt-that II could
help you. Yes, will. / 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 itl rm-of
course, you know, I'm only too glad of
an opportunity to repay YOU
Glancing up, 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 I write you that | had done
something awful and not tell you what
1t WASP" said Mrs Gordon, when she
saw her husband few days later why.
because / had done something awful,
something perfectly dreadful. Oh, be-
lieve l am the most wretched woman
in the world. But did save you, Glen.
For you know he let Mr.. Pratt have
that stock, or whatever it was you
wanted, the very next day. And [ be-
lieve ii was all that odious Harvey, as
YOU said at first. For he-I mean MIR.
Downs, dear-is certainly one of the
incest old gentlemen / ever met. There
is more in him than you would think.
indeed he has His remembrance of
that little girl who saved his life was
perfectly lovely. And when / think how
basely | acted
"You haven't told me yet how basely
you did act" remarked her husband.
"Oh, it was perfectly dreadful. l don't
see how I ever could have done it.
shall never get over it / wish we had
confessions and absolution in our church.
NV conscience will trouble me as long
as I live, I'm sure And if he should
ever discover it, l should die, l know
should. | 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, I 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 a story, the most
touching thing, about 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."
"Oh, one of his war stories, eh? And
he promised to let up on us, did he
Tell me the story; tell me all about ii. y
She did so.
"And you never would have thought
he had so much real nobility. would you,
dear? And when / think of how wick
edly l imposed upon him"
''Why," exclaimed her husband, after
a moments thought, Downs never saw
the Shenandoah Valley in war"
"What"
"No; he belonged to the heavy ar
tiliery 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"
SIT was, though. / looked up his war
record when he ran for Congress
cit can't be. I won't believe it. Then
why didn't he refuse me?"
81 suppose, my dear, that 1t must have
been because he was influenced by a
charming woman. And, incidentally, be-
cause ne wanted you to think him as
good as ne said he was"
Why, what a perfect wretchF said