Evening journal., 1907-02-18
ANY more of those articles'" he asked with hi.


some ndiscreet rejoinder when Mrs Gwinn took 10
the cudgel, and went quietly, But they aren't les
Charlie That is just what is wonderful They are
all true-every word the man writes is true He never
makes mistake, buries the living resurrects
the dead he fits the right hadowy third into the right
and he knows how to tell it."
After moments silence Sir Charles laughed 7
believe you are Peepng Tom yourself, Nina he said
and if you are you a scurrilous wretch" !"
Every laughed, and Chase, turning 10 her re-
marked with brick-colored flush on his cheek bones
that the fellow, whoever he was would be pleased IL
he could know of her defense.
He will probably hear of it." she returned, tanning
herself slowly with her black fan, and meeting his
him" '--' 80 '-''"
Late in the evening somebody sang.
Chase, who sincerely fond of music fed in hor-
from the performance and found himself in the
library with Mrs. Gwnn, who had gone there write
a note that she was just finishing.
That woman ought to be strung up by the thumbs
for torturing people with her abominabe voice." he
cried rritaby, hngng himself into the nearest chair
and closing his with his fingers
Nina smiled and addressed her note Then he saw
her lips move and listened to her.
you frightfully nervous, Mr.. Chase" she said
kindly enough why don't you take rest-cure?"
Rest-cure, rest-eure-rubbish. am perfectly we'll,
Studying his nervously distorted face for moment
she shook her head No you are not, but sorry
! spoke of it, as it annoys you"
1T doesn't annoy at all" he stammered frown-
ing at her "but it bores to talk about my health
tell you never was better in my tfe
Opening silver box on the table, she took from IL
stamp, which she fixed to her letter; then taking IN
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 whatP
"of-your nerves. You nearly betrayed your secret
Her dark-ashed green eyes looked calmly into his
as she spoke; she was so near that her gown nearly
touched him.
"'My '.Ysy.s secret
He moistened his dry lips painfully and stared at
her. why do you think have IA secret?"
i have known that For
tescues I saw by your face You looked 500
proud"
The singing in the next room had ceased and some
laughing loudly.
Suddenly as though up to that moment he had
realized the enormity of his writing these ar
tcles, the suffering of shame he had in reality gone
through swept out of his memory by the food 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 oompassonated 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 l de-
."Ah Mr. Chase" she answered, "how do I know
what you deserve?
forcibly that for a moment his agony faded into a
something that was bearable. Yes, he murmured,
''how do you lSnow-or any one? But-whst I have
done is-abominable. II knew it, and yet until
/ didn't realize it"
'"Yes It IS abominabe" she answered mildly. you
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 10 me-look at me-
like that before?"
Some one was playing an American coon song in
the next room and presently Charlie Welter began TO
sing, in the soft voice that surprisingly
from under his grim mustache 'Egypt-if you don't
want me. why will you haunt me the way you do"
Chase listened attentively " # you don't want me-
why will you haunt me the way you doY 1 might
have realized what blackguard / am, if you
had not-spoken kindly me. what must do ?"
"Oh, Mr.. Chase, don't ask me! I sorry l spoke
1t was nothing to me- onlyyou seem to me to be ill
you so nervous
He gave a short laugh. "I am not ILL., Mrs Gwnn
II have enjoyed doing it, writing those letters. As
you said, was proud of them They well done
And / was always IA malicious man, and enjoyed
tbe oou,er of turtn, 0eooie P,t I ',,sed 20 'bs =
gentleman And have loved you for year and a
half That is why your kindness-made such fool
Loved me? II am sorry, Mr. Chase"
Thanks. l. Breaking off, he listened to the ap
plause that greeted the ending of the song and them
his almost goesquey ugly tace turned to her, his eyes
piteous and intent
'You have my secret-now tell me yours. Why
did you go twice last week to Payford's rooms?
She started as though he had struck her, and red
dened brilliantly. What do you mean? If Thought
you meant anything-or that you were wholly
'Never mind about me-" he hurried on, in a plead
ing tone; Just tell me In Christ,s name, tell meP
Them 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
i shall go home and shoot myself, he said nds-
tnctly Il have-written letter about tit IS
to appear to-morrow-
To his amazement after scornful stare at him.
she burst into a laugh.
q am sorry-for SOU Your beautiful reputation
for ruthfulness will be ruined, for every in town
knows that 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
her and the two occasions when went Alfred
my husband fetched me. So-you have overreached
yourself"
you think am-not glad perhaps have no
right to beg your pardon?
She looked down him, still angry, but stin.
amused.
NO you have not You TO to have only
one right Mr. Chase But l. not having resented your
scurrous stories about other people cannot that
you have turned your wretched poisonous tow
ard me- pretend to virtuous disgust. You a very
horrid little man, but upon my word, believe that you
not quite in your right mind l forgive you -
"You are g--generous," he mutered, mot to remind
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 say something more-dnyfhing, but
he could not let her 90 thus.
"As every knows it, at least, win not hurt you ;
he went hurredly
"Of course it viii not hurt mel Now-.good-bye