The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-11-22
What you are proposing to me is in
famous" she said. through clenched

1T Is not In the least he
retorted cooily. Il am Offering
you the future know you
sigh for. 1t ia q future that
1 sigh for. too: that L nave sighed
for from the first ONE 1 saw you.
and which 1 am going to make come
,rle. Together. we will conquer the
world. h=9 'nN Wife
Your wife?" .Irere gas saorr', anger.
teas in the words, and in the glance she
cast at him.
"Certainly-my wife" he repeated
WITH emphasis. III should prove to
4vu--'
She stopped him by an imperative
gesture.
q limit to what even 1 will endure.
DO not push me too far; do not rely
TOO much on my forbearance A man
capable OF any rlme-"
He held her by the motion of a
6nrer.
concluded. ITO he capable of any
crime. and yet to coutntt none. is a
virtue
T commit none.' she echoed scorn-
fully.
He looked at her without the flicker
OF q lash.
II commit none, yes-your own con-
aclence acquits me-" he repeated stead
fly. But | would pause at none to
gain possession Of you. Look at me
20 you doubt it?"
She looked at him with a little shiver.
No" she said.
els there any other man you know
:. no can say as much"
She Wrested her eyes away from his
and turned again to h fire.
You strangely mistake me" she
said I'm n cold voice. You are reading
.,..- -..,.~E $3.50 St- ,-~ v--,,1zl
ask no man to commit a crime for my
eake-I should abhor the man who
did
He did not answer. but stood gazing
at her with n ghZe which seemed to
envelop her. to pierce her through and
through. Drysdale felt the persp1ration
start across his forehead: he wished to
cry out. but cOuld not
A door at the farther end OF The hall
opened and Delroy came in. The bonds
loosened ana Drysdale fled back to his
mol He needed to compose himself.
Mrs. Delrcy did not come dow to
dinner, pleading a headaches. n af-
Ter the meal was over, Delroy carried
Tremaine off to. the library for a last
talk over the details OF the railroad en-
terprisc. Tho Intended going into New
York III the morning for an interview
with certain capitalists that would be
crucial. and they needed to arrange
their plan of attack.
Drysdale. left to himself. threw away
his cigar and went straightwny to seek
Grace Corydon. He found her sitting
hefor> the fire in the hall, gazing into
hear his approach, and for Il
IS he EaIed down at her. he doubted
whether he had really witnessed that
strange interview OF an hour before.
Had he not rather dreamed it? Was
1t. not merely a wild lima ginning? Flo
M cc.n1 I,f0 1,-V<I .E,oroc1 1X- -.1
dropped into the chair beside her.
She started at the sound, turned, saw
him. and smiled. But 1t was no the
smile that had greeted him the night
before: 1t was not from the heart: it
did not reveal. it d~isscmbled. He saw
its meaning. Then he put hesitation
behind him.
Grace" he said gently. las / was
coming down to dinner tonight. I hap
.pencd to see you and Tremaine stand
ing together. and. without intending to.
me up there at the turn OF the stair"
She looked at him. her eyes dark with
apprehension.
you mean that you ,listened?" she
asked.
After that first sentence. 1T seemed
TO me that I had II right to listen"
Her lips were curling In scorn. her
eyes were burning through him.
ooh. a rtght!"
Yes. a right" he repeated boldly.
mo man should be permitted to talk
tosyou as lie talked. Why. he insulted
what outrage he was ready to commit.
Why did you permit it.
She turned away from him and her
arms dropped wearily by her sides.
Your proper course Is to inform Del
roy. he continued doggedly. Drawing
~ 4 tn T0vf0fr1fpy rf 0rqA-a1l~- "r-
better stu. I will. N Their kick tina,
scoundrel out. I've already had one
quarrel with Dickie about him"
Have you?" h asked listlessly.
Yes. ] distrust him. Why did you
permit him to talk to O the way he
II can tel. you" she answered
. hoarsely.
but I have q right to know"
Yes. I suppose you have. Why MOI
break it off: Then you won't need e
worry about me any more
He started from his chair at thu
Words but controlled himself and sa,
down again.
DO you mean that you want I,
break 1T on?" he demanded, in a quiv
ing voice. DO you mean thai you car
possibly care for that
She turned upon him with blazfnl
eyes.
"Do you insult me. too"
EOr an instant he sat motionless a:
stone: then he fell at her knees an,
caught her hands and covered Their
with Kisses,
.'Forsive mel" he cried. .Forglv,
me! II was unworthy. But, OH. Grace
give me a word-just a word-tel
nc
Listen" she said. bending over hin
instantly moved. instantly tender
you told me last night that you trust
ed me-"
II do with oil my soul"
And Kate the Queen needs you. a
she said she would. Only I must hav
time to think: to straighten out tn
tangle. Tomorrow I will tell you-tt
morrow right-tM them
He seized her and drew her dow
to him and kissed her on the lips.
i've never doubted you.' he sale
And I'll fight the battle of my Iii
before l give you up"
At the farther end of the hall, a doc
closed very very softly.
-
CHAPTER ~.
CUT AND THRUST.