The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-06-17

ence into every crack and chink. Mrs.
Darlington had eschewed cab and car
alike. pressing on against the rain
with tight lips aud unshrinking, pain
dark eyes. Her clothes hung limp
and dripping about her ankles and
the thin soles Of her shoes were
soaked through
She threaded her way carefully
through tLs crowds, reaching the
entrance Of a great building little
out Of breath, but more from excess
Of emotion than any physical tax.
At the elevator, she waited a few
moments before going in; her task |
was difieult one, and she felt the
need Of all her poise. Finally. she
pushed the bell and entered.
Third floor"
Now for the first time. she be-
came conscious Of miserable sense
Of chiIliness; her damp clothes OPP
pressed her terribly and she shivered
in nervous dread After all, had she
the strength to 90 through the task
she had set herself? The twelve
months Of isolation and waiting, in
stead Of palliating, had only increased
her wretchedness. In all that time
she had not heard word from Oar
rington; he was still as unrelenting as
ever-as he would always be. Then
morbid fancy assailed her; per.
haps he was dead
She was standing in front Of Judge
Softon's office, her mind in panic
Of uncertainty. But suddenly she set
her lips and walked in.
rs Mr.. Softon in?" She addressed
the clerk who came forward at her
entrance.
Yes, madam; but at present he's
engaged. II you will have seat,
You can see him in about thirty min
utes.%
Mrs. Darlington sank into chair
with a sigh OF relief. At least she
should have time to collect her scat
! tered nerves and induce little color
W uti WuAtC Cu6thb@
Almost before she was aware Of II
she was shaking hands with Archie
Softon and he was looking into heI
face with his kind, genial, penetrat
Ing eyes. He had been an old college
{ chum Of her husbands, and a lifetime
e friend OF her own. She felt instinct
c lively that she was doing the safes
b thing In turning to him now,
Archie" she began. plunging int
the subject, you don't have to asl
why I'm here?"
Il Il am not very much surprised. 0
I, course. after your letters. but"
:. "WeIl?"
! You are fully resolved upon thi
/ course?"
d eFully and finally
& softon waited moment before b
spoke. Then he said:
t. If such Is the case, you will hav
e to go over the whole thing with m'
Y Esther before ! can give you a legi
d opinion"
y "All over everything?"
+ He nodded.
! " THAT is the only thorough, the onl
= right way" he answered.
: Mrs. Darlington drew IN dee
! breath and looked cautiously abol
hey. At last she spoke:
: "Of course. II it is necessary.
= shall do SO. But there are SON
: ! things that 1 never wished to tell
"A lawyers mind is a pretty safe r
ceptacle"
1T isn't that, Archie It's the or
ing bitterness OF the whole mlserab
Il affair-having to live 1t over agai
even IN words. II he had only tru:
ed mel"
ne Judge softon looked at her narro'
ct "
NJ did 1t never occur to you. Estht
- that Dick Darlington might make u
We Of the same expression2"
I'd Two llvid spots Of color throbb
ed In the woman's cheeks
All His trust was the first to be p
IN to the test-and he failed she i
III piled. coldly.
he Yours was not worth any more,
ch you would not have allowed it to
en- twipsed so under so-called pro-
cation"
1T seems to me that your SYM
thies are all with him.
They are most assuredly with y
both. And we are all human beinI
Esther. Just put yourself in Die
place. Suppose you should col
N across such letter in his poHs
Z sion as he discovered in you
q Would you have been any more
reasonable?''
u should have believed what
said"
IF he had said anything. Err
what | CLEAN you refused to spea
1T was from sense Of honor"
"HonorY'
Eyes. to the pSsties involved.
oop told him this. He treated my exI
\ It nation with insulting incredulity."
HE did not question your veraoi
am sure Of that. He was bite
hurt at your unwillingness to Il
nty him into your confidence"
e1' 4 had given my sacred promise
ION tala m oAa inf0 II NOT even my !