Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-21
CHAPTER XVIII.

ance. lie was rather apprehenS1ve lest
the curiosity of some Of the household
about this room might lead to his be-
ing discovered there alone with the
girl. For her sake he would greatly
dislike the appearance Of it.
1t was quite 10 o'clock before he
heard her light step in the long hall
outside the room.
When at last she stood before him
he was held spellbound for an instant
by the radiance Of her face. Warmth.
color. happiness, took the place Of the
pale. passive, remote aspect she ordi-
narily wore Her whole person seem
ed to breathe her eagerness to hear the
story he had to tell her. At least so he
interpreted it.
He placed chair for her, the only
one in the room. and sat down him
self on the foot OF the bed.
He felt rather Mt loss as to how he
should deal with her. 1t was hard to
have to disappoint the bright expecta-
ton Of that pretty young face.
''Would it mean anything to you,
Eunice," he began, surprised at him
self to note how his voice instinctively
softened when he spoke to her as one
would naturally modify ones tones in
speaking to timid. sensitive child, Ito
be told you were born Of very good
blood?"
''Why should 1t not?"
"But in your isolation from the
world can you possibly have learned
the significance of such fact?"
ut means. doesn't 1t. that my par
ents were people Of gentle and noble
minds?"
"Well,' he smiled, I'VE do not al
ways attach Just that meaning to it.
Some very degenerate families are
proud of their good blood"
Meaning merely their inherited
rank? Yes, know" she nodded. But
1.-THE rank is but the guinea's stamp.
mans q man for a that.
II should like to know that there is no
faint Of dishonor in my blood"
"You have the comforting knowl-
edge. Your father was New York
lawyer Of high standing and stainless
reputation"
Her face glowed at his words.
81 have pride in it" she answered
him.
"You may well have. Now" he went
on, as to the current story about this
room and its connection with you. I
will tell you what it is"
He told her then nearly all that he
knew, withholding only her prospects
of great wealth and the source Of his
knowledge of her. If she knew of the
existence of the confession" he had
found she would have a right to see It.
He did not wish her to see 1t until he
had ascertained what the probability
was that her aunt would recognize her
claims.
Eunice heard him with GREATNESS
attention. But the break in the con-
tinuity Of his story bewildered her.
"But how, then, did you come to
learn what you say is unknown to all
others-that this man and woman who
brought me here were not my parents
and that am the daughter Of New
York lawyer. from whom they stole
me away from my homer"
81 can't tell you that tonight, Eunice,
how l came by my knowledge. 1t Is
better that do not-just yet. Trust
me and have patience"
She looked at him, the brightness Of
her face unclouded by his denial, but
she did not reply.
.'You do trust me?'
"Why should not?' she asked, with
naive surprise.
"In fact" he responded, II don't
know just why you should. You don't
know anything about me-"
81 know everything about you,"
sprang from her, land nothing"
'.Now," he protested, "that sounds
as subtle as though it came from
Georgiana. What does it mean?"
with my heart know you. With
nv head l don't understand you at
ALL"
.You pay me the highest compli-
ment If your unsullied heart teaches
YOU an instructive trust Of me. With
your head you don't understand me!"
he questioned her curiously.
81 don't understand why, If you love
Miss Ellery, you should go out of your
way to avoid her, even Disgusting
yourself and feigning uncouthness.'
Her simplicity afforded him the live
lest entertainment.
$50 that has been bothering you, has
it? Well, you see, I came here to be
quiet, and Miss Ellery isn't, just to
say, a restful person"
She looked unenlightened. "But you
love people who are not restful?'
II don't always love to be with
them"
"Am I restful?"
She asked it with her look and tone
Of usefulness which he was learning
to watch for in talking to her.
eff told you you were. what infer
ence would you draw? You are such
an alarmingly logical little person one
has to be wary or be trapped into all
sorts of admissions one wouldn't dream
of making"
"Is it commentator to be told you
are 'restful? I would suppose that
people who count for something in our
lives do not rest US. They stir us"
She spoke with evident feeling. Sure
ly, surely, she was not thinking OF
Abe! He would not believe 1t.
"And we like to be stirred. don't
WEI" he acuuiesced. That's what we