The San Francisco call., 1907-01-13

bow-with proper Difference, too! Did
he know? He could not know this,
1t must be the Beaver Beach scandal.
1t must be. 1t could not be this-not
yet. But it might be. How many
knew? Louden, Norbert, Ariel-who
else? And again the deer took on the
strange zebra look.
The Judge walked slowly down to
the gate; spoke to the man he had
employed in Sam Warden's place, a
Scotchman who had begun to refresh
the lawn with q garden hose; bowed
affably In response to the salutation
of the elder Loudeu, who was passing,
bound homeward with thoughtful steps.
In the hall he encountered his wife;
stopped 10 speak with her upon various
household matters; then entered the
library, which was his workroom He
locked the door; tried it, and shook the
handle. After satisfying himself of its
security, he, pulled down the window
shades carefully, ana, lighting gas
drop lamp upon his desk, began TO
tumble with various documents, which
he took from a small safe near by.
But his hands were not steady; he
dropped the papers, scattering them
over the floor, and had great difficulty
in picking them up. He perspired
heavily; whatever he touched became
damp, and he continually mopped his
lOGenedu WIFI Ills Sleeve. <AIltI IL tiilC
he gave up the attempt to sort the
packets of papers; sank into chair
despairingly, leaving most of them in
disorder.
A light tap sounded on the door.
Martin, it's supper time"
With a great effort he made shift to
answer: Yes, know. You and Mamie
go ahead. I'm too busy tonight. l
don't want anything"
A moment before lie had been pitt
ful figure. face distraught, hands in
coherent. the whole body inco coordinate,
but II eyes might have rested upon him
as he answered his wife they would
have seen a strange thing he sat, ap-
parently steady and collected, his ex-
preston cool. his body quiet, poised
exactly to the quality of his reply, for
the same strange reason that a young
girl smiles archly and coquettes to a
telephone.
But. Martin. you oughtn't to work
so hard. You'll break down
No fear Of that" he replied. cheer
fully. You can leave something on
the sideboard for me-"
After another fluttering remonstrance
she went away and the room was silent
again. His arms rested upon the desk.
and his head slowly sank between his
elbows. When he lifted it again the
clock on the mantelpiece had tinkled
once. lt was half-past seven lie TOOK
sheet of notepaper from a box before
him and began to write, but when he
had finished the words. MY dear wife
and Mamie his fingers shook so vio-
lently that he could go no further. He
placed his left hand over the back of
his right 20 steady it, but found the
device unavailing; the pen left mere
zigzags on the page, and he dropped
it,
lie opened lower drawer of the desk
and took out of II pistol; rose, went
TO the door tried it once more, and
again was satisfied of his seclusion.
Then he took the weapon in both hands.
the handle against his fingers, one
thumb against the trigger and. shak-
ing with nausea, lifted it to the level
of his eyes. His will betrayed him /;
he could not contract his thumb upon
the trigger, and, with convulsive
shiver. he dropped the revolver upon
the desk.
lie locked the door of the room be-
hlnd him, crept down the stairs and
out of the front-door. He walked sham
blingly. when he reached the street.
Keeping close to the fences as he went
on, now and then touching the pickets
With his hand, like feeble old man.