Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10

st of anguish, For Gods sake, Flood. get
of this somehow"
V? l have no money. By speaking to your
'ther was silent
i l do it?" Rawley peered anxiously into
IS face, and he knew that there was no Sc
galnSt the shameful trouble being laid bare
ant chance to start straight again" The
as f1uttered, almost whining; it carried no
on, but the words had in them a reminder of
nat Rawley himself had said to Diana Well
Y few months ago; and new spirit stirred
He stepped forward and, gripping Welldons
: with hand of steel, said fiercely:
Dan. I'd rather take you to her in your
coffin She has never known you, never seen
what most of us have seen, that all you
have, or nearly all, is your lovely looks and
what they call a kind heart. There are only
you two in your family, and she has to
live with you awhile anyhow. She could
mt stand this business. She mustn't stand
1t. She has had enough to put up with in
me; but at the worst she could pass me by
on the other side, and there would be an
end. 1t would have been said that Flood
Rawley had got his deserts It's different
with you" His voice changed, softened
Dan, | made pledge to her that I'd
never play cards again for money while l
out some cogitation. But | cogitated and
took it on and started life over again.
Began practising law again-barrister, So
llcltor, notary public, at forty. And at
last I've got my chance in big case against
the Canadian Pacific; it will make me or
break me, Dan. There, wanted you to
see where stand with Di, and now l want
you to promise me that you will not leave
these rooms till | see you again. And I'll
get you clear. I'll save you, Dan"
Flood, Flood!' The voice was broken
You've got to stay here, and you are to
remember not to get in funk, even if |
don't come before midnight. I'll be here,
then, if I'm alive. If you don't keep your
word-but there, you will" Both hands
gripped the graceful shoulders of the mis-
creant like wise.
So help me God, Flood" was the
frightened whispered reply. "Ill make it
up to you somehow, some day, Flood! I'll
pay you back"
Rawley caught UP his cap from the table
Steady steady Don't 60 at a fence till
you ARE sure of your seat, Dan" he said
Then, with long look at the portrait on
the wall and an exclamation that the other
did not hear, he left the room with a set.
determined face, and with light gone
from it that had been there when Dan Well
don first entered his room.
Who told your What brought you,
Flood?" the girl asked, her chin in her long
white hands, her head turned from the
easel to him, book in her lap, the sun
breaking through the leaves upon her hat,
touching the Titan hair with splendor
Fate brought me and didn't tell me,
he answered, with whimsical quirk of
the mouth and his trouble lurking behind
the sea deep eyes.
Wouldn't you have come if you knew
l was here?" she urged archly
for two thousand dollars, he answered, the
trouble deepening in his eyes; but his lips
he had quaint sense of humor, and at
gasp would have noted the ridiculous. And
was droll malignity of Fate to bring him
ler, whom in this moment of all moments in
lie wished far away Fate meant to try him to
rmost. This hurdle of trial was high indeed
thousand dollars, nothing less?" she in
ally You are too specific for real lover"
fixed the amount" he added dryly
you talk so much of Fate! she replied
and her eyes looked into the distance
AXE me think of it, too, and don't want to
7 don't want RI feel he1p1aSc RI he the child