The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-11-21

1T is not in the least infamous" he
retorted coolly. Il am offering
you the future know you
sigh for. 1t 10 a future that
1 sigh for. too: that ! have sighed
for from the first moment 1 saw you
and which 1 am going to make come
srGr. Together, we win conquer the
world. .S..s ny wife"
your wife?" There ga scorr, anger,
tear in the words, and in the glance she
cast at him.
''Certainly-my wife" he repeated
WITH emphasis. If 1 should prove te
YOU"
She stopped him by an imperative
gesture.
You go too far" she said. There is
q limit to what ever / will endure.
DO not push me too far; do not rely
200 much on my ~forbearance. A man
capable of any crime
He held her by the motion OF a
finger. a. ..
rs a man who appeals to you." he
concluded. ITO be capable of any
crime, and yet to commit none. is a
virtue" u,
ITO commit nome" she echoed scorn-
fully.
He looked at her without the flicker
ITO commit none, yes-ybur own on
science acquits me-" he repeated stead
lily. But I would pause at none to
gain possession of you. Look at me
10 you doubt it?"
She looked at him with a little shiver.
No" she said,
rs there any other man you know
| who can say as much?"
She wrested her eyes away from his
and turned again to the fire.
You strangely mistake me-" she
said in a. cold voice. You are reading
your own nature into me. / would
ask no man to commit a crime for my
sake-I should abhor h man who
did"
He did not answer but stood gazing
Mt her with q gaze which seemed to
envelop her, to pierce her through and
through. Drysdale felt the persplration
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 and Drysdale fled back to his
room. He needed to compose himself.
Mrs. Delroy did not come Town to
dinner. pleading a headache, and af-
ter the meal was over, Delroy carried
Tremaine off to the library for a last
talk over the details of. the railroad en-
terprise. The intended going into New
York in the morning for an interview
with certain capitalists hat would be
crucial, and they needed TO arrange
| their plan of attack.
Drysdale, left TO himself, threw away
his cigar and went straightway to seek
Grace Gordon. He found her sitting
befor. the fire in the hall, gazing into
II, her head in her hands. She did not
hear his approach, and for a moment,
as he gazed down at her. he doubted
whether he had really Witnessed that
strange interview Of an hour before.
Had he not rather dreamed 1t? Was
it not merely a wild m sglning? He
passed his hand. before his eyes and
| dropped into the chair beside her.
She started at the sound, turned, saw
him, and smiled. But ii was not the
smile that had greeted him the night
before: 1t was not from the heart: II
| did not reveal, IL dissembled. He saw
the change and trembled as he guessed
its meaning. Then he put hesitation
behind him.
Grace" he said gently, IA l was
coming down to dinner tonight. / hap
pened to see o and Tremaine stand
ing together, and. without intending to,
/ overheard q sentence which stopped
me up there at the turn of the stair"
She looked at him, her eyes dark with
apprehension. rsa7
You mean that you listened?" she
asked. ar
After that first sentence, It seemed
to me that I had a right to listen"
Her lips were curling in scorn her
eyes were burning through him.
"Oh. a right"
Yes. a right" he repeated boldly.
mo man should be permitted to talk
90 you as he talked. Why, he insulted
you, he threatened ~you-heaven knows
what outrage he was ready to commit.
Why did you permit 1t.
She turned away from him and her
arms dropped YEARLY by her sides.
Your prope course is to inform Del
roy he continued doggedly, Drawing
the certainty of offending her. ''Or,
better sttll. / will. and then kick that
scoundrel out. I've already had one
quarrel with Dickie about him"
Have your" she asked listlessly.
Yes, / distrust him. Why did you
permit him to talk to you the way he
did,"
Il can't tel! you" she answered
hoarsely.
But / have a right to know"
Yes, I suppose o have. Why not
break IT off? Then you won't need 70
worry about me n more"
He started from his chair at the
words. but controlled himself and sat
down a=qIn.
d yOu mean that you want to
break IL om?' he demanded, in q quiv-
Ling voice. ID you mean that you car
possibly care for that
She turned upon him with blazing
yes. A.
DO you insult me, too?"
For an instant he sat motionless as
stone: then he fell at her knees and
caught her hands and covered them
With kisses.
Forgive met" he cried. Forgive
me! IL was unworthy. But, oh, Grace,
give me a word-just a ~word-tel
me"
Listen" she said, bending over him
instantly moved, instantly tender,
you toll me last night hat you trust.
ed me-"
II do with all my soul"
And Kate the Queen needs you, as
she said she would. Only I must have
time to think; TO straighten out tht
tangle. Tomorrow I will tell you-to
morrow night-till then"
He seized her and drew her down
to him and kissed her on the lips.
rive never doubted you" he said
And I'll fight the battle of my life
before I give you up"
Ar the rarfbar end nf the hall a doc