Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-07

always viii when I git the chance, too
only shows what human nature is. But
that wasn't all that folks were starin'
at today. 1t was your walkin' with
Joe Louden that really finished 'em,
and I can say 1t upset me more than
anything I've seen for good many
years"
Upset you. Mr.. Arp?" she cried. II
don't quite see."
The old man shook his head deplor-
ingly. "After what I'd written you
about that boy
"Ah," she said softly, touching his
sleeve with her fingers, II haven't
thanked you for that"
"You needn't" he returned sharply.
ut was a pleasure Do you remember
how easy and quick promised you?"
II remember that you were very
kind"
"Kindv' He gave forth an acid and
chilling laugh. ut was about two
months after Louden ran away and be-
fore you and Roger left Canaan, and
you asked me to promise to write to
YOU whenever word Of that outcast
came
II didn't put it 50, Mr.. Arp"
"No, but you'd ought Of! You asked
me to write you whatever news Of him
should come and If he came back to
tell you how and when and all about 1t.
And did it and kept you sharp on his
record ever since he landed here again.
Do you know why I've done It? Do
YOU know why promised so quick and
easy would do it?"
"Out of kindness Of your heart,
think"
The acid laugh was repeated. mo.
ma'am! You couldn't Of guessed cold
er. promised, and kept my promise
because I knew there would never be
anything good to tell. And there never
was!"
"Nothing at all?" she insisted grave
ly.
Never! / leave it to you II I've writ
ten one good word Of him."
you've written Of the treatment he
has received here" she began, "and
I'VE been able to see what he has borne
and BEARS"
But have I written one word to
show that he didn't deserve it all?
Haven't told you everything, OF his
associates, his
.Tndeed you havew
ssThen do you wonder that l was
more surprised than most when saw
YOU walking with him today? Because
| knew you did it in cold blood and
knowledge aforethought! Other folks
thought it was because you hadn't been
here long enough to hear his reputa'
ton, but knew"
"Tell me-" she said, "if you were dis
appointed when you saw me WITH
him"
eyes" he snapped. II was"
81 thought so. / saw the consterna,
tion in YOUR face. You approved.
didn't you?"
81 don't know what you're talking
about"
Eyes. YOU do l know it bothers you
to have me read you between the ines,
but for this once you must let me.
You are so consistent that you are
never disappointed when things turn
out badly or people are wicked OF
foolish, are your
mo, certainly not l expect 1t.
"And YOU were disappointed in me
today. Therefore, it must be that
was doing something you knew was
right and good. You see?" She lean
ed little closer to him, smiling an
gelically. "Ah. Mr.. Arp" she cried
Il know your secret! You admire
mev'
He rose, confused and incoherent, as
full of denial as a detected pickpocket
II don't! Me admire? What? It's an
ornery world" he protested. Il don't
admire any human that ever lived"
"Yes, you do" she persisted. 1--WE
Just proved it. But that is the least OF
your secret The great thing Is this
you admire Mr.. Louden!"
81 never heard such nonsense" he
COltluUCu W at ShO osAAAAS sAAAAS
moving down the walk toward the
gate, leaning heavily on his stick
"Nothin' of the kind. There amt any
logic to that kind of an argument, mol
no reason"
i .You see, understand you!" she
! called after him. "I'm sorry you &c
away in the bitterness Of being found
out"
J Found outv' His stick ceased for 9
moment to tap the cement. "Pooh!
he calculated uneasily. There was 8
pause, followed by malevolen1
i chuckle. "At any rate" he said, witt
! joy in the afterthought, you'll never
go walkin' with him again"
i He waited for the answer, which
came, after a time, sadly. "Perhapi
you are right. Perhaps l shall not"
"Ha, / thought SO! Good night"
Good night, Mr.. Arp"
She turned toward the lighted house
Through the windows nearest her she
could see Mamie, seated in the ia
miliar chair, following with happy ane