Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-10-17

dark, that she was wrapped in a mys-
terious woof 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 Malotte believed her
to be an actress. Very well, she would
prove her judgment right.
She found Struve busy in his private
office, but he leaped to his feet on her
entrance and came forward, offering
her chair.
"Good morning, Miss Helen. You
| have 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 grirnly at the thought of
what made her cheeks glow and Ian
guidly loosened the buttons of ber
! jacket.
81 suppose you're very busy, you
lawyer man?'' she inquired.
'Yes, but not too busy to attend to
anything you want
.Oh, / didn't come on business, ("
she said lightly. Il 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 we'll from the way his pro-
fessionalism had dropped off.
Eyes, / get tired of talking to uncle
and Mr. Mcnamara. They treat me
as though l were little girl.''
when do you take the fatal step?"
"What step do you meani"
s'Yonr marriage. When does it oc-
cur? You needn't hesitate" he added.
mcnamara told me about it month
ago.
He felt his throat gingerly at the
thought, but his eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
81 think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking"
For some time she led him OH adroit-
", talking of many things in way to
make him wonder at her new and flip
pant humor. He had never dreamed
she could be like tIis-so tantalizingly
close to familiarity and yet so madden
ingly aloof and distant. He grew bold
er in his speech.
"How are things going with us?" she
questioned as his warmth grew pro-
nounced. "Uncle 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 uneer-
tainty.
''Now, don't you try to keep me in
short dresses too. It's getting weari-
some. Eve done my part, and want
to know what the rest of you are do
ing She was prepared for any an
swer.
what do you want to know?' he
asked cautiously.
Everything Don't you think can
hear what people are saying?v
"Oh. that's it, Well, don't you pay
any attention to what people say
| She recognized her mistake and con-
tinued hur1iedly:
"Why shouldn't /? Aren't we all in
this together? / object to being used
and then discarded. think I'm enti-
tied to know how the scheme is work
ing. Don't you think can keep my
mouth shut?"
"Of course" he laughed, trying to
change the subject of their talk But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him, vowing that she would not
.eave 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 by caution She leaned for
ward and smiled at LIN.
You're just like the others. aren't
| YOU? You won't give me any gatisfac-
ton at ALL
Give. give, give, said Struye Gym
ically That's always the woman s
cry. Give me this give me that Self
ish sex! Why don't you offer some
thing in return? Men are traders;
women usurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. can help you, there
fore | should do it for a smile You
ask me to break my promises and risk
/ my honor on your caprice. Well, that's
womanlike, and I'll do it. I'll put my
self in your power, but won't do it
gratis. No; we'll trade.''
1T isn't curiosity" she denied In
dignantly;; st is my due"
No; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious. that's all. You
think / know something that will
throw new light or new shadow
on everything you have in the world,
| and you're worked up to such con