The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-09-24
cHAPTER xX.-continued.

You'll restrain yourself, ana not say or |
do any Of those things that make me
that lar on me. You understand"
II am always myself" replied /. Il
can't be anybody else"
But you are-several different |
kinds Of self" she insisted. And |
pIease-this evening don't be that
kind It's coming into your eyes and |
chin now"
had lifted my head and looked
round, probably much like the leader
of horned herd at the scent OF dan
ger.
rs this better?" said 1, trying to
iooA the thoughts l had no difficulty
In getting to the fore whenever my
eyes were on her.
Her smile rewarded me. But 1t dis
appeared, gave place to look of ner
vous alarm, of terror even, at the
wstling, or, rather, bustling, of skirts
In the hall-there was war in the very
SOUND, and | felt it. Mrs. Ellersly APP
peared, bearing her husband as de-
iected trailer inYisibly but firmly
eoupled. She acknowledged my salu-
%s<on with a stiff-necked nod, ignored
Extended hand. l saw that she
wished to impress upon me that she
was a very grand lady indeed; but,
while my ideas of what constitutes
lady were at that time somewhat be-
logged by my snobbishness, she failed
dismally. She looked just what she
was-a mean bad-tempered woman,
In a towering rage.
You have forced me, Mr.. Black
lock- said she, and then l knew for
Just what purpose that voice of hers
was best adapted-"to say to you
what should have preferred to write.
Mr.. Ellersly has had brought to his
ears matters in connection with your
private life that make it imperative
that you discontinue your calls here"
My private life, maam?" l repeat
ed II was not aware that | had a
private life"
Anita, leave us alone with Mr..
Blacklock," commanded her mother.
The girl hesitated, bent her head,
and with cowed look went slowly to-
ward the door, There she paused,
and, with what seemed a great effort,
lifted her head and gazed' at me. How
1 ever came rightly to interpret her
look don't know, but l said Miss
ElleriSly, Eve the right to insist that
you stay" { saw she was going to
obey me, and before Mrs. Ellersly
could repeat her order l said: Now.
madam, if any one eccuses me of hav-
ing done anything that would cause
you to exclude man from your
house, am ready for the liar and his
lie
AS | spoke l was searching the
weak, bad old face of her husband for
an explanation. Their pretense of out
ragged morality / rejected at once-it
was absurd. Neither up town nor
down, nor anywhere else, had done
anything that any one could regard as
q Breach of the code of a man of the
world. Then, reasoned /, they must
nave found some one else to help
them out of their financial troubles
some one who, perhaps, has made this
insult to me the price, or part of the
price, of his generosity. Who? Who
mates me? In instant answer, up be-
fore my mind flashed a picture of
Tom LangdoR and Sam Ellersly arm
IN arm entering Lewis office. Tom
Langdon wishes to marry her: and
her parents wish it, too; he is the
man she was confessing to me about
these were my swift conclusions.
I'VE do not care to discuss the mat
ter, sir" Mrs Ellersly was replving
her tone indicating that it was not fin
20 discuss. And this was the woman
pad hardly been able to treat ciyillv
90 nauseating were her fawnings and
Gatherings!
So" | said, ignoring her and omen
ang my batteries full upon the old
nan. You are taking orders from
Mowbray Langdon Why?"
AS spoke, | was conscious that
mere mad been some change in Anita
looked at her. With startled eyes
And lips apart, she was advancing to-
ward me.
Anita, leave the room" cried Mrs.
kllersly harshly, panic under the com
mand in her tones.
felt rather than saw nv advan.
Age, and pressed it.
"fUa see what they are doing. Miss
Ellersly," said l.
She passed her hand over her ewes.
& icy her face appear again. In it there
was an energy of repulsion that ought
% have seemed exaggerated to me
!. then, knowing really nothing of the
SA&rue situation. 81 understand now!"
said she. "Oh-it is-loathsome!
And her eyes blazed upon her mother
sLoathsome," | echoed, dashing at
ny opportunity. 'If you are not mere
chattel and decoy, if there is
" womanhood, any self-respect in
a, you will keep faith with me-"
Anital" cried Mrs. Ellersly. Go
FOUR rooml"
had. once or twice before. heard
4 ne as repulsive-a female dive
or hectoring her wretchd white
.. looked at Anita. | expect