The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-10-19


O'Rourke was shown into the room. He
perfect control. He made no attempt
to approach Mrs. Spry, but, having closed
the door. bowed, and. advancing to the
center of the room, laid both hands on
the rail of chair, which he held firmly.
He looked then at Angela, and his brows
contracted ever 80 little as If In inquiry.
He was playing to look as II he asked
himself what had induced her to adopt
a role SO extraordinary as the one she
had taken up, and his trained sense Of
humbug came SO to his aid that he asked
himself that question unfalteringly. Next
he looked at the widow, and his glance
was full Of appeal. Neither Of the women
spoke word, but Angela, with her eyes
fixed upon O'Rourke, reached out a. hand
| sideways, and took her friend by the
wrist, sliding her hand downward until
the fingers Of both were intetlaced.
L have received letter from you,
julia" O'Rourke began, containing an
Enclosure In the handwriting Of bitter
enemy of mine, a political rival, who is
enraged at his own want OF success.
am here to tell you that that letter con-
|
truth, and only one. am indebted
to your friend Mr.. Maskelyne. Apart
from that one truth I deny every state
ment the letter contains"
Then he paused, looking from one to
the other Of his auditors. Mrs. Spry
drew her hand from her companions, and
half arose, but Angela checked her.
II begin to see, sir, that have made
a mistake" she said. II fancied you
would not dare to come here. I have
read the letter you speak Of" She could
go no further.
II supposed" returned O'Rourke,
from the note which accompanied It
that you had done 30. I supposed, also,
that you support Its statements. do
not know how you have allowed yourself
to be persuaded of the truth of those
statements, but declare them, on the
faith of an honest man, to be without
foundation"
angela p cried Mrs. Spry, II knew
It. 1 was sure Of It. It's all a mis-
take!"
''Thank you, Julia ~ cried the patriot
thank you."
At this Angela took unexpected fire
and rising to her feet In sudden self
possession, faced the patriot with flushed
cheeks and glittering eyes.
II do not rely upon much from you
Mr.. O'Rourke, upon which I might count
with safety from most men. But I will
ask you question or two, II you will b
so kind as to answer them"
IT will answer any question you ma,
, ask me, Miss Butler" he answered, in
clining his head with grave courtesy.
; ''Forgive me if hurt you, DEAR" sale
Angela, swiftly turning to her friend
'You did not know, Mr.. O'Rourke, tina
my friend Mrs. Spry was wealthy unit
, she herself told you soT'
IT knew that she was well-to-do," re
turned O'Rourke, 'but I did not know
, that she was wealthy. You will remem
+ Der, Julia, that your statement took M
by surprise"
you did not suppose her fortune t
be greater than 1t really Isl"
!, II certainly did not" said O'Rourke
He actually smiled at this, as IL tn
thought amused him.
}, Angela rang the bell and sent for Mas
!, kelyne, who was In the hotel. When b
: came Angelo told him Of what had occur
: red, and he at once told Of his converse
!, ton with O'Rourke about Mrs. Spry'
= riches.
a "Its a lie," said O'Rourke, Erase
r and have Quarreled, and he has invent
A ed this story to damage me with you an
3 with my friends"
a The widow suddenly fell on her knee
n and threw up her head with shrek o
shrek Of laughter. Maskelyne raise
n her. and rang the bell for assistance.
N O'Rourke stood staring at the pair, q
= much lost for the moment as II the who
: world had tumbled In ruins about b
n ears. A waiter knocked at the door an
In entered.
m 'Send female servant here, and ru
,e for a DOCTOR" Angela called to him. Mr.
q, Spry's wild laughter ran through Il
m house. A chambermaid looked In at Il
open door and ran to her assistance.
"a dozen people were In the corridor, sta
ut ing with frightened faces.
ID O'Rourke still retained a grain Of b
be customary self-government, He walk
to down the corridor and out of the hot,
10 His cabman hailed him, and he threw hi
m half crown and strobe toward his char
q. bers desperate, and half beside himse
"A with rage. His chambers reached,
N entered his bedroom without word, an
81 locking the door, sat down to think. q
an thoughts were too terrible to be endur
without emotion, and In little time
began to pace wildly up and down. Nc
81 and then he groaned aloud
~ 1t was dark, and O'Rourke was st
=. raging up and down his bedroom, VIII
~ the maid brought up a note and knock
at the door.
cd whats the matter2" he asked, .
nd locking the door and thrusting a pi
ed face into the light Of the adjoining roo
M "A note, sir" said the girl, mark
d. Immediate"
n BE took 1t and tore 1t open with a p
rs. sionate eagerness. 1t was from d.
nm roski, and asked him to call upon |
morrow. He cursed Dobroski, for
usual suavity and self-control had al
gether deserted him. Then, clinchi
to- the note In his hand. he slammed
lad door and locked II, and fell to pacing
he and down again.