West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-01-17


devti," he said.
glance softening to compassion. Then
It is dastardly unfair" he said. what
is goodness for II Il does not make one
happy / am n rough brute, and l get
my desserts. but the world should be
gentle TO n thing like you"
NO, no." she protested. at nm not
good"
His eyes %lightened. ANY INSIDE
meanors punishable by lawT'
~ am Disconnected" she went On.
81 age when things go wrong. / am
not II saint"
81 might have known It," he remark
ed, cor you wouldn't have spoken to
me. have known lots OF saints-most-
ly wonderland they always look the
other way when n sinner comes along.
The reputation OF n saint is the most
sensitive thing ON earth. 1t should be
kept I'm a glass case"
"Are you 80 very wickedf' she asked.
He vas gazing out to sea. where the
water broke into waves OF deepening
gray. In the sky n single star shone
like an emerald set In "A fawn colored
dome. The tapping sound OF the waves
Mt the vessels sides came softly through
the stiffness. Suddenly he spoke, his
voice ringing like n Earring discord In
n harmonious whole.
Five days ago a man called me q
devil" lie said, land l guess he wasn't
far wrong, only II I was a single devil
he was n legion stepped In one. What
a scoundrel he wasg'
The passion In his tones caused her
to start quickly. The words were shot
out with the force OF balls from n can
non, sustained by the Impulse OF evil.
Don't" she said pleadingly; please,
please DON'T"
Don't whatT" he demanded roughly.
Don't curse the blacklist scoundreI
that ever liyed-and diedT' over the
last word his voice weakened as II In
appeal.
Don't curse anybody" she answered.
1T Is nor like you"
lie turned upon her susplciously.
"Pshaw! How do you known
4 ~ I hhONs 4 Only DtilcNt.
Il had much use for belief" he
returned. 1T is a poor sort of thing"
She met his bitter gaze with one OF
level calm. And yet men have suf-
fered death for IT,"
Above her head an electric Jet wal
shining, and II cast a white light upon
her small figure buried under the mass
OF rugs. Her eyes were glowing. There
was n soft s~uffuslon upon her lashes,
whether from the salt spray or from
unshed tears he could not tell.
well, believe In me II you choose"
he said. 1T won't do any harm even
II It doesn't do any good"
During the next few days he nursed
her with constant care. When she
came out In the morning she found
him waiting az the foot Of the stairs.
ready to assist her on deck. When she
went down nc night II was his arm
upon which she leaned and his voice
that wished her Good nlghtp before
her staterOom door. Her meals were
served outside. and che soon found that
his wntchfulness extended to n host OF
trlvlalites.
II was not n confidential companion
ship Sometimes they sat for hours
without speaking and again he attack.
ed her with aggressive irony. At such
times she smartcd beneath the sting Of
his sneers. but 70 was more ln pity for
him than for herself. He seemed TO
carry in bis heart n seething rage Of
cyulcism, imprisoned n lmpotent.
When 70 broke control. as Il often did.
dashed alike the just and the unjust.
The slime and the slnned against. II
DID not spare the woman for whose
comfort Doe sacrificed himself daily ln
@ dozen minor ways. it was as if De
hated himself for the interest she In
splrnd and hated her FOR Inspiring 70.
lie appeared 90 resent the fact that
the mental pressure under which be
labOrod had not nunlhllated all posi-
biity OF purer passion and he often
closed upon q gentlcr mood with burn
ing bitterness.
How about your faith z" he inquired
one dag after n passing tenderness.
Us 1T stu tie evidence Of virtues not
visible iu meT'
She nluched, az she always did at
his nlppaucy There D. clrcumstau.
evidence Of those" she replied.
sufficient 90 confOund n Jury"
There was q cloud upon bis face
"Of 'he mInisterlng angel Kind. sup
pose. Doe suggested.
eyes"
Your Judgment Dr. warped" Doe went
on. "DO you expect o. convince by
such syllOgisms as. 1t ls yirtuous 10
make presents Of pruucs. De makes
me presents N Drunse therefore he rs
vlrtuOusT'
She looked at him with wounded
eyes. THAT is not kind Of you" she
said.
But. my dear lady. / am not kind
That Sc what ! am arguing for"
Her lips closed firmly. She ala not
answer.