Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-10-03


through his cigar smoke.
"You needn't tell me-" he said at
length. 81 know ali about it."
Il am glad you do. | never could
repeat what thel said. Oh, it was
brutalw Her voice caught, and she
bit her lI. What made me ask
them? Why didn't keep still? After
you left went TO those women and
d faced them. oh, but they were bru-
tai! Yet, why should caref" She
stamped her slippered foot.
Il shall have to kill that man some
4 day." be said, fecking his cigar ashes
into the CRATE.
what man2" She stood still and
looked at him.
"Glenister. of course. If had
thought the story would ever reach
you I'd have shut him up long ago"
ut didn't come from him." she cried,
hot with indignation. He's gentle
man. It's that cat, Mrs. Champian.''
He shrugged his shoulders the slight
est bit. but it was eloquent, and she
noted it. ooh, I don't mean that be
did it Intentionally too decent
chap for that-but anybody's tongue
will wag to a beautiful girl! My lady
Malotte is d Jealous trick {"
"AIalottei Who is she7" Helen ques-
toned curiously.
He seemed surprised. 81 thought ev-
cry one knew who she is It's Just as
well that you don't
II am sure Mr. Glenister would not
talk of me" There was a pause.
"Who is Miss MalotteT'
He studied for moment, while she
watched him What splendid 6gure
be made Ia bis evening elothesi The
coy room with It's shaded fights en-
HANGED his size and strength and rug
ged outlines. In his eyes was that adj
miration which women live for. He
lifted his bold. handsome face and met
her gaze.
Il had rather leave that for you TO
find out, for I'm not much at scandal,
/ have something more important to
tell you It's the most important thing
/ have ever said to you, Helen. 1t
was the first time he had used that
name, and she began to tremble, while
her eyes sought the door In panic.
She had expected this moment, and
3.yet was not ready.
Not tonight Don't say 1t now,
she managed to articulate.
yes. this is a good time If you
can't answer. I'll come back tomorrow.
I want you to be my wife. want to
give YOU everything the world offers,
and [ want to make you happy, girl.
/ There'i be no gossip hereafter-Ill
shield you from everything unpleasant,
and if there IS anything you want in
life, I'll lay it at your feet. | can do
it," He lifted his massive arms, and in
the set of his strong, square face was
the promise that she should have what
ever she craved II mortal man could
give it to her-love, protection posi-
ton, alteration.
She stammered uncertainty till the
humiliation and chagrin she had suf-
fered this night swept over her again
This town-this crude. half born min
ing camp-had turned against her. mis-
judged her cruelty. The women were
envious, clacking scandal mongers. all
Of them, who would ostracize her and
make her life in the northland a mis-
cry, make her an outcast With nothing
to sustain her but her own solitary
Ipride. She could picture her future
clearly, pitilessly, and see herself
standing alone, yilied, harassed In a
thousand cutting ways. yet unable to
run away or to explain. She would
have to stay and face it, for her life
was bound up here during the next few
years or So or as long as her uncle
Iremained a judge. This man would
free her. He loved her; he offered her
everything. He was bigger than all
the rest combined. They were his play
things, and they knew it. She was not
sure that she loved him. but his mag
netism was oyerpowering and her adj
miration intense. Ne other man she
had ever known compared with him,
except Glenister- Bah! The beast! He
had insulted her at first; he wronged
her now.
"Will you be my wife, Helen| the
man repeated softly.
She dropped her head, and he strobe
forward to take her In his arms, then
stopped listening Some one ran mp on
the porch and hammered loudly at the
door. Mcnamara scowIed, walked into
the hall and flung the portal open. dis
closing Struve.
Hello, Mcnamara! Been looking all
over for you. There's the deuce to
I uaxi'' Helen sighed with relief and
i gathered up her cloak, while the hum
OF their voices reached her indistinctly.
She was given plenty of time to regain
her composure before they appeared
When they did. the politician spoke
sourly
1--WE been called to the mines, and
must 90 at once"
YOU bet! It may be too late now.
The news came an hour ago, but
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