Evening journal., 1907-02-18
.Any mors Of those articIes !" he asked with hii

trembe, don't you all Rotten little sheet isn't ita"
Chase, deeply stung, was on the point Of making
some indscreet reoinder when Mrs. Gwinn took m
the cudgel and went quietly, But they aren't lies
Charlie That is just what is wonderful They are
all true-eyery word the writes is true. He never
makes mistake, buries the living nor resurrects
the dead he fits the right shadowy third into the right
househod-the man knows what he is talking about,
and he knows how 10 tell it."
After moments silence Sir Charles laughed T
believe yon Peeping Tom yourself Nina he said
Every laughed, and Chase, turning to her, re-
marked with brokcoiored flush on his cheek bones.
that the fellow whoever he was would be pleased If
he could know OF her defense
"He will probably hear of it., she returned, tanning
herself slowly with her black fam and meeting his
eyes casually 'for convinced that we all know
him"
Late in the evening somebody sang.
Chase who was sincerely fond Of music Aed in hor-
ror from the performance and found himself in the
library with Mrs Gwinn who had gone there TO write
a note that she was Just finishing
That ought to be strung up by the thumbs
for torturing people with her abomnable voice." he
cried rritaby hingng himself into the chair
and closing his with his fingers.
Nina smiled and addressed her note. Then he saw
her lips move and listened to her.
"You frightfuly nervous, Mr. Chase" she said
kindly enough why don't you take a rest-cure?"
'Rest-cure, rest-cnre-rubbish am perfectly WELL
Mrs Gwinn"
Studying his neryously distorted face for moment
she shook her head mo, you are not, but am sorry
I spoke of it, as it annoys you"
ing at her "but it bores talk about my health
tell you I never was better in my life
i
a stamp which she fixed her letter; then taking 10
her gloves and fan, started toward the door.
Forgive me- she said, still inexplicably gentle in
voice and manner, 'and-be careful"
BE careful of whatl
"Of-your nerves. You nearly betrayed your secret
Her darI-ashed green eyes looked calmly into his
she spoke; she was so near that her gown nearly
touched him.
"YssS Yy SS'''''
He moistened his dry lips painfully and stared at
ba~ ff- 10 f1tr1rT baxra
Il have known since that evening at the For
tescues. l saw by your face. You looked $3.50
proud"
The singing in n'the next room had ceased and some
one was laughing loudly.
Suddenly as though up TO that moment he had
realized the enormity of his writing these
tcles, the suffering of shame he had in reality gone
through swept out of his memory by the flood Of
horror that rushed him, he buried his face in
his hands and stood before her in bitterness like the
bitterness of death
The woman was full of mercy and she understood
and compassonated him
Don't look at me Like that" he stammered.
using his hands though he would ward off the gaze
that hurt him. Look, for Gods sake, as-as / de-
s.servep
,"Ah, Mr.; Chase" she answered, "how do know
The truth of this observation struck them both so
forciby that for a moment his agony faded into A
something that was bearable. Yes, he murmured,
"how do you know-or any one? But-what ! have
done s-abominable. II knew It, and yet until now
I didn't realize it."
"Yes. It is abominable," she answered mildly. "You
will not do it any more"
He did not seem to hear her but stared at her with
fixed, apparently curious gaze. why" he said after
another pause, didn't you speak to nle-look at me-
like that before?"
Some one was playing an American "coon song" in
the next room and presently Charlie Weter began
sing in the soft, sweet voice that surprisingly
from under his grim mustaohe Egypt-if you don't
want me- why will you haunt me the way you do?
Chase listened attenuvely Al you don't want me.
why will you haunt me the way you do? l might
have realized what backguard am, if you
had not-spoken kindly to what must do p
oh Mr. Chase don't ask me I am sorry I spoke
Ii was nothing to me, onyyou seem TO me to be ill
He gave short laugh 'I am not i'll, Mrs. Gwnn.
II have enjoyed doing it. writing those letters. As
you said, / was proud of them They are well DONE
And l was always IA malicious man, and enjoyed
the power OF hurting people. But-I used to be
gentleman. And have loved you for year and
half That is why your kndness-made such fool
Loved me? IL am sorry, Mr.. Chase"
Thanks u Breaking of, he listened to the ap
pause that greeted the ending of the song and then,
his almost grotesquey ugly face turned to her his eyes
piteous and intent
You have my secret-now tell me yours Why
did you go twice last week to Playford's rooms?
She started as though he had struck her and red
dened brilliantly. What do you mean? If I thought
you meant anything-or that you were-wroly
Never mind about me-" he hurried on, in plead
ing tone Just tell me. In Christs name tell mel"
Then went to have tea with his sister who is
stopping with him"
Chase groaned He knew that she spoke the truth.
and he believed that It too late.
Il shall go home and shoot myself" he said indis
to appear tomorrow"
To his amazement, after scornfu stare at him,
she burst into a laugh
Il sorry-for yoHL Your beautiful reputation
for truthulness will be ruined for every in town
knows shat Clara Gresham IS visiting her brother, and
that having sprained her ankle ten days ago she has
been unable to leave the apartment ever since. Not
only l. but all her and his friends have gone to see
her, and on the two occasions when / went Alfred.
my husband, fetched me- So-you have overreaehed
yourself"
"You think I am-not glad, perhapsl 1 have no
right to beg your pardon?
She looked down at him. still angry but worse stir.
amused
"No, you have not You TO me to have only
one right Mr. Chase But l. not having resented your
scurrous stories about other people, cannot that
you have turned your wreched poisonous tow
ard me, pretend to a vrtuous disgust You very
horrd little but upon my word believe that You
are not quite in your right mind forgive you =
"You are g-generous,' he muttered mot 10 remind
me that / am in your power
She laughed again. mo. | am not of your kind.
Your secret is safe with me" She going, he saw.
and yet he must say something more-dHyfhing. but
he could not let her 90 thus
"As every knows, II, at least will not hurt you,