The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1907-10-11

the plot was as deep as It is. She
knew that It was scheme to test me-
and she played me into Pickering's
hands. caught her down there in
the tunnel acting MS his spy. looking
for the lost notes. that she might gain
grace in his eyes by turning them
over to him. You know how always
hated Pickering.-he was too smooth,
too Snug. and you and everybody else
were forever praising him to me. He
was always held up to me as a model;
and the first time saw Marian Dever-
eux she was with hint was at
Sherry's the night before I came here.
| suppose she reached st. Agatha's
only few hours ahead OF me-"
Yes. Sister Theresa was her guar.
dian. Her father was dear friend.
and knew her from her early child
hood. You are mistaken, Jack. Her
knowing Pickering means nothing
they both lived in New York and
moved in the same circle"
But It doesn't explain her efforts
to help him. does it," blazed. He
wished to marry her,-Sister Theresa
told me that.-and failed-I failed
miserably to keep my obligation here
i ran away to follow her!"
"Ah. to be sure! You were away
Christmas eve. when those vandals
broke in. Bates merely mentioned 1t
in the last report | got from him In
New York. That was all right. rs.
sumed. of course. that you had gone
on somewhere to get a little Christ
mas cheer: don't care anything
about It."
But had followed her-I went to
Cincinnati to see her-don't you I'M
derstand? She dared me to comet
was trick, a part OF the conspiracy
to steal your property"
The old gentleman smiled. II was
an old trick OF his to grow calm as
other people waxed angry.
She dared You to come, did she!
That is quite like Marian: but you
didn't have to go. did you. Jack?"
"Of course not: Of course ! didn't
have to go. but"
stammered, faltered and ceased
Memory threw open her portals with
. challenge. I saw Marian on the
.iy =. Tie Arm strosEy'; | heard
icr low. soft laughter: l felt the mock.
cry OF her voice and eyc7: knew
again the exquisite delight OF being
near her. My heart told me we'll
enough why I had followed her!
Jack. I'm glad I'm not bnricd mp
there In that Vermont gravoy ard with
nobody to exercise the right Of guar
diAnship over you. I've had my mis-.
givings about you: used to think you
were born tramp; and you disap-
pointed me in turning your back on
architecture.-the nobisst Of all pro.
fessious; but this performance OF
yours really beats them al. Don't
you know that girl like Marian De.
vereux isn't likely to become the agent
Of any rascal? Do you really believe
for q minute that she tempted you TO
follow her 20 you might forfeit your
rights to my property
But why was she trying to nnd
those notes Of hist Why did she
come back from Cincinnati with his
party? II you could answer me those
things. maybe I'd. admit that I'm Q
fool. Pickering. I imagine. 10 a pretty
plausible fellow where women are con.
cerned."
For Gods sake. Jack. don't speak
Of that girl ~ women! I put her In
that will Of mine Just to pique your
curiosity. knowing that II there was .
penalty on your marrying her you
would be wholly likely to do it.-for
that's the way human beings arc
made. But you've mixed It all up now
and insulted her In the grossest way
possible for . fellow who is really .
gentleman. And ! don't want to lose
you; want you here with me! These
rich Americans, who 30 to England to
live. don't appreciate the beauty OF
their own country. This landscape 10
worthy Of the best that man can do.
And didn't undertake to build .
crazy house out hero but one that
should have some dignity and charac.
ter. That passage around the chin.
ney 10 an indulgence. Jack.-I'n admit
it's littlo bizarre.-you see that
chimney isn't 80 big outside as 1t 10
in!"-and he laughed and rubbed his
knees.-"and my bringing foreign
laborers here was really to make It
easier to get things done my way.
Wait till you have seen the May-apples
blossom and heard the robin sing In
tho summer twiiight.-help mo to
finish the house.-then II you want
to leave Ill bid you 0odspeed."
Tho feeling in his tone, the display
Of sentiment so at variance with my
old notion Of him, touched me in spite
Of myself There WAS characteristic
nobility and dignity in his plan: II
was worthy Of him. And l had never
loved him as now. when he finished
this appeal, and turned away to the
window, gazing out upon the sombor
woodland.