Charlevoix county herald., 1907-02-02
CHAPTER XX.-Continued.

you'll restrain yourself, and not say or
do any of those things that make me
that jar on me. You understand"
Il am always myself replied |. Il
can't be anybody else"
But you are-several different
kinds ofs self" she insisted. And
pIease-this evening don't be that
kind. It's coming into your eyes and
chin now"
l had lifted my head and looked
round, probably much like the leader
OF horned herd at the scent of dan
ger
rs this better?" said I, trying to
look the thoughts l had no difficulty
in getting to the fore whenever my
eyes were on her.
Her smile rewarded me. But it dis
appeared, gave place to look of ner-
vous alarm of terror even, at the
rustling, or, rather, bustling, of skirts
In the hall-there was war in the very
sound, and felt it. Mrs. Ellersly ap-
peared, bearing her husband as de-
jected trailer invisibly but firmly
coupled. She acknowledged my salu-
tation with a stiff-necked nod, ignored
my extended hand. | saw that she
wished to impress upon me that she
was very grand lady indeed; but,
while my ideas of what constitutes a
lady were at that time somewhat be-
fogged by my snobbishness, she failed
dismally. She looked just what she
was-a mean, bad-tempered woman,
in towering age.
You have forced me, Mr.. Black
lock" said she, and then | knew for
just what purpose that voice of hers
was best adapted-"to say to you
what / should have preferred to write.
Mr.. Ellersly has had brought to his
ears matters in connection with your
private life that make it imperative
that you discontinue your calls here"
MY private life aam?" | repeat
ed Il was not aware that | had
private life"
Anita, leave us alone with Mr..
Blackjack" commanded her mother.
The girl hesitated, bent her head,
and with a cowed look went slowly to-
ward the door. There she paused
and, with what seemed a great effort
lifted her head and gazed at me. How
ever came rightly to interpret her
look 1 don't know, but said: Miss
Ellerlsly, I've the right to insist that
you stay" | saw she was going to
obey me, and before Mrs. Ellersly
could repeat her order said: Now,
madam, if any one accuses me Of hav-
ing done anything that would cause
you to exclude a man from your
house, / am ready for the liar and his
Iie."
AS l spoke | was searching the
weak, bad old face of her husband for
an explanation. Their pretense OF out
ragged morality | rejected at once-it
was absurd. Neither up town nor
down, nor anywhere else, had | done
anything that any one could regard as
n breach of the code of a man OF the
world Then, reasoned |, they must
have found some one else to help
them out of their financial troubles
some one who, perhaps, has made this
Insult to me the price, or part of the
price, of his generosity Who? Who
hates me? In instant answer, up be-
fore my mind flashed a picture OF
Tom Langdon and Sam Ellersly arm
IN arm entering Lewis office. Tom
Iangdon wishes to marry her; and
her parents wish it, too; he is the
man she was confeSsing to me about
these were my swift conclusions.
1--WE do not care to discuss the mat
Ter. sir" Mrs. Ellersly was replying
her tone indicating that it was not iii
TO discuss. And this was the woman
4 had hardly been able to treat civilly
so nauseating were her iawnings and
gatherings!
"So!" | said, ignoring her and open
ing my batteries full upon the ole
man You are taking orders from
Mowbray Langdon. Why"
AS | spoke, | was conscious that
there had been some change i'm Anita
L looked at her With startled eyes
and lips apart, she was advancing to
SYard me.
Anita leave the room!" cried Mrs
l1EllersIy harshly, panic under the com
mand in her tones.
felt rather than saw my advan
tage, and pressed il.
s''You see what they are doing, Miss
IIllersly." said /.
She passed her hand over her eyes
lct her face appear again. I'm it there
was an energy OF repulsion that ough
40 have seemed exaggerated TO mC
shen, knowing really nothing of the
true situation II understand now,
said she. "Oh-it is--loathsome!
And her eyes blseed upon her mother
"Loathsome," echoed, dashing a
my opportunity. IF YOU are not mere
~ a chattel and a decoy, if there il
any womanhood, any self-respect il
you, you will keep faith with me.