The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-10-15
XIV.
any WIFE MUsT!"

AS / drove away, l was proud of my
self. had listened to my death SEN
tence with a face so smiling that he
must almost have believed me I'M
conscious; and also, it had not even
entered my head, as l listened, to
beg for mercy. Not that there would
have been the least use in begging;
as well try to pray statue into life,
as try to soften that set VIII and pur-
pose. Still, many a man would have
weakened-and l had not weakened.
But when l was once more in my
apartment-in our apartment-per-
haps l did show that there was a
weak streak through me. l fought
against the impulse to see her once
more that night; brit l fought in
vain. | knocked at the door OF her
sitting-room-a timid knock, for me-
No answer. l knocked again, more
loudly-then third time, still more
loudly. The door opened and she
stood there, like one of the angels
that guarded the gates of Eden after
the fall. Only, instead of a flaming
sword, hers was of ice. She was in
a dressing-gown or tea gown, white
and clinging and full of intoxicating
hints and glimpses of all the beauties
of her figure. Her face softened as
she continued to look at me, and !
entered.
"No-please don't turn on any more
lights" 1 said, as she moved toward
the electric buttons Il just came
in to-to see if could do anything for
you" In fact, had come, longing
| for her to do something for me, to
show in look or tone or act some
sympathy for me in my loneliness
and trouble.
mo, thank you," she said. Her
voice seemed that of a stranger who
wished to remain a stranger. And
she was evidently waiting for me to
go. You will see what a mood l was
in when say felt as had not since
I, very small boy indeed, ran away
| from home; l came back through the
| chilly night to take one last glimpse
Of the family that would soon be
realizing how foolishly and wickedly
unappreciative they had been of such
a treasure as I; and when l saw them
sitting about the big fire in the lamp
light, heartlessly comfortable and I'M
concerned, it was all l could do to
keep back the tears of strong self.
pity-and 1 never saw them again.
I've seen Roebuck," said to Anita,
because l must say something, if :
was to stay on.
"Roebuck?" she inquired. Her
tone reminded me that his naz1e con.
veyed nothing to her.
He and 1 are in an enterprise to-
gether," l explained. HE is the one
man who could seriously cripple me-"
oh" she said, and her indifference,
forced though I thought it, wounded.
Well" said l, your mother was
right"
She turned full toward me, and even
in the dimness l saw her quick sym
pathy-an impulsive fash instantly
gone. But it had been there
Il came in here" went on, ito say
that-Anita, it doesn't in the least
matter. No one in this world, no one
and nothing, could hurt me except
through you. So long as have you,
they-the rest-all of them together
can't touch me-"
We were both silent for several min.
utes. Then she said, and her voice
was like the smooth surface of the
river where the boiling rapids run
deep: "But you haven't me-and
never shall have. I've told you that
l warned you long ago. No doubt you
will pretend, and people will say, that
left you because you lost your
money. But it won't be So
was beside her instantly, was look
ing into her face. What do you
mean?" / asked, and did not speak
gently.
Ito be Conunued.l