Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-10-22

Yes, ! get tired OF talking TO uncle
and Mr.. Mcnamara. They treat me
as though | were little girl"
when do you take the fatal step?"
what step do you mcanT"
"Your marriage. When does It oc-
cur? You needn't hesitate" he added.
Mcnamara told me about It a month
ago"
lie felt his throat gingcrly at the
thought. mt his eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
81 think you are mistaken. lie must
have been Joking"
For some time she led him on adroit-
ly, talking of many things In a way TO
make him wonder at her new and flip
pant humor. lie had never dreamed
she could he like this-so tantulizngly
close to familiarity and yet so madden
ingly aloof and distant He grew bold.
er in his spcesh.
How are things going with u.s." she
questioned rs his warmth grew pro-
nounced. "Uncle won't talk and MIR.
Mcnamara is as close mouthed as can
be lately"
lie looked at her quickly, "In what
rcspectT'
She summoned up her courage and
walked past the ragged edge Of uncer.
talnty.
Now, don't you try to keep me in
short dresses too. It's getting wcarl-
some. I've done my part and want
TO know what the rest Of you are do.
ing" She was prepared for any an
swer
what do you want to know?" he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't you think can
hear what people are saying
"Oh, that's II! Well. don't You pay
any attention to what people say"
She recognized her mistake and con-
tlnued hurriedly:
"Why shouldn't I? Aren't we all In
this together? object to being used
and then discarded. think I'm enti-
tied 10 know how the scheme is work.
ing. Don't you think | can keep my
mouth shut?"
"Of course" he laughed. trying to
change the subject of their talk. But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him. vowing that she woull not
] iuhve the office without piercing some
| part of this mystery. His manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind It all. This dis.
sipated, brilliant c1---T are knew the sit
uatlon thoroughly, and yet, though
l,ts lao on hA
chained by cnutiOn. She leaned for
ward and smiled at him. ..
You're just like the others, aren't
you? You won't give me any satisfac-
ton at ALL"
Give, give, give" said Strive Gym
ically. That's always the wommis
cry. Give me thls-givc me that. Self.
ish sex! Why don't you offer some
thing In return: Men are traders;
women Insurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. can help you, there
fore | should do II for n smile. You
ask me 10 break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. Well, that's
womanlikc, and I'll do II. I'll put my
self In your power, but | won't do 1t
gratis. No; Wen trade"
1T isn't curiosity" she denied In.
dlgnnntly: at is my due"
mo: you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious, that's all. You
think know something that will
throw new light or new shadow
on everything you have In the world,
and you're worked up TO such n con-
dltlOn that you can't take your own
! peoples word; and, on the other hand,
| you can't go 10 strangers, so you come
| 10 me. Suppose | tell you | had the
! papers you brought to me last spring
| In that safe and that they told the
/ whole story-whethcr your uncle IL
! unlmpeachable or whether he deserved
! hanging by that mOb-what would you
| do, ch? What wOuhl you give to see
! them? Well, they're there and ready
! to speak for themselves. If you're a
woman you won't rest till you've seen
them. VIII you tradcT'
YES, yes! Give them to me-" she
| cried eagerly, at which n wave OF
| crimson rushed up 10 his eyes and he
rose abruptly from his chair He made
toward her, but she rctrcated to the
wall, pale and wide eyed. ...
Cant you see" she flung at him,
that | must know"
! lie paused. "Of course | can, but
] want n kiss to bind the bargain to
| apply on account" He reached for
! her hand with his own hot one, but
she pushed him away and slipped past
/ him toward the door.
suit yourself" said he but II I'm
not mistaken you'll never rest till
you've seen those papers. I've studied
you, and I'll place bet that you can't
marry Mcnamara or look your uncle
In the eye till you know the truth
You might do either If you knew them
to be crooks, but you couldn't If you
only suspected it-thats the woman
When you get ready, come back. I'll
show you proof, because | don't claim
10 be anything but what am-Wilton
Strive, bargaincr Of some mean abil
ity. When they come TO mscrlbe my
headstOne hope they can carve there
on with truth, He got value re