Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-12-27

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ans jealousy, and yet she said strive
had told her all about it-that bot
tie OF wis and pretty face would
make the lawyer disclose everything.
She could believe it from what she
knew and had heard OF him. The
feeling that she was cropping In the
dark. that she was wrapped in a mys-
terious wool Of secrecy, came over her
again as It had so often of late. II
Struve talked to that other woman,
why wouldn't he talk to her? She
paused, changing her direction to-
ward Front street, revolving rapidly
in her mind as she went her course OF
action. Cherry AIalotte believed her
to be an actress. Very well, she would
prove her Judgment right
She found Strive busy In his private
office, but lie leaped to his feet on her
entrance and came forward, offering
her chair.
"Good morning, Miss Helen. You
have a fine color, considering the night
you passed. The Judge told me all
about the affair. and let me state that
you're the pluckiest girl know"
She smiled grimly at the thought of
what made her cheeks glow and Ian
guidly loosened the buttons of her
jacket.
II suppose you're very busy. you
lawyer man?" she inquired.
Eyes, but not too busy to attend to
anything you want"
ooh, didn't come on business"
she said lightly. II was out walking
and merely sauntered In"
'.Well, appreciate that. all the
more" he said in an altered tone,
twisting his chair about. "I'm more
than delighted" She judged she was
getting on well from the way his pro-
fessionalism had dropped off.
Eyes, get tired of talking to uncle
and Mr. Mcnamara. They treat me
as though were a little GIRL
when do you take the fatal steps"
HWhat step do yoll meaii?u
sFppF marriage. When does 1t oc-
cur? You needn't hesitate" he added.
'tAioNamara told me about II a month
ago"
He felt his throat gingerly at the
thought, but his eyes frightened when
she. answered lightly:
II think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking"
For some time she led him on atiroit-
". talking of many things in way to
make him wonder ut her new and dip
pant humor. He had never dreamed
she could bealllle this-so tantalizingly
close to familiarity and yet SO madden
ingly aloo9f and distant. He grew bold
or ID his speech.
.Hpw are things going with us 2, she
questioned as his warmth grew pro.
bounced. .Uhcle Won't talk. and Mr..
Mcnamara is as close mouthed as can
be lately"
He looked at her quickly. "In what
respect?"
She summoned up her courage and
walked past the ragged edge Of uncer-
tainty.
....Now, don't you try to keen me in
short dresses too. It's getting weari-
some. I've done my pnrt, and I want
to know what the rest Of you are do
Ing" She was prepared for any an.
swer
what do you want to known he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't you think can
hear what people, are saYlngT
..ph. that's It'll Well, don't you pay
any attention to what people say"
She recognized her mistake and con-
tinued hurriedly: 4
"Why shouldn't II Aren't we all in,
this together? object to being used
and then discarded. think Pm enti-
tied to know how the scheme is work
Ing. Don't you think can keep my
mouth shut p
"Of course" he laughed, trying to
change the subject of their talk But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him. rowing that she would not
leave the Office without piercing some
part of this mystery. HIS manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind it all. This dis
sipated, brilliant creature knew the sit
uation thoroughly, and yet, though
swayed by her efforts, he remained
CHAINED 6y caution. She leaned for
ward and smiled at him.
bHou're just like the others, aren't
you? You won't give me any satisfac-
tion at all.''
Give, give, give" said Strive Gym
ically. That's always the woman's
cry. Give me this-giv me that. Self
ish sex! Why don't you offer some
thing In return: Men are traders;
women usurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. 1 can help you, there
fore I should Dc II for q smile. You
isk me to break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. Well, that's
womanlike, and I'll do 1t. I'll Put my
self in your power, but I won't do it
gratis. MOI we'll trade"
1T isn't curiosity" she denied In
dignantly. ut is my due"
"No; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious, that's NIL. You
think l know something that will
throw new light or a new shadow
on everything you have in the world,
and you're worked up to such a con-
dition that you can't take your own
peoples word; and, on the other hand.
you can't go to strangers, SO you come
to me. Suppose tell you had the
papers you brought to me last spring
in that safe and that they told the
Whole steryy-whather your uncle ia
unimpeachable or whether he deserved
hanging by that mob--what would you