Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-17
ANY more of those articles1" he asked with hi.


the cudgel and went on quietly, But they aren't lies
Charlie That is just what is wonderful They
makes mistake never burie the living 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 to tell it
After moments silence Sir Charles laughed Il
believe you are Peepng Tom yourself Nina, he said,
and if you are, you are Scurrilous wretch"
Every laughed, and Chase turning to her, re-
marked with brickcolored flush his cheek bones,
that the fellow, whoever he was, would be pleased if
he could know OF her defense.
"IIc will probably hear OF it, she returned, tanning
herself slowly with her black fan and meeting his
eyes casually, 'for ain convinced that we all know
Late in the evening somebody sang.
Chase, who was sincerely fond Of music, fled in hor-
ror from the performance and found himself in the
library with Mrs Gwm, who had gone there to write
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 irraby, Aingng himself into the nearest chair
and closing his ears with his fingers.
Nina smiled and addressed lfer note. Then he saw
her lips move, and listened to her.
You are frghttuy nervous Mr. Chase" she said,
"Rest-cure rest-cure-rubbsh. | am perfectly we'll,
Mrs Gwinn."
Studying his neryously distorted face for moment
she shook her head mo, you are not but am sorry
| spoke of it, as it annoys you"
1T doesn't annoy me at ALL" he stammered, frown-
ing at her, but it bores to talk about my health
l tell you never better in my ife!"
Opening silver box the table, she took from it
a stamp which she fixed to her letter then taking up
her gloves and fan, started toward the door
Forgive me-" she said, still nexpcaby gentle in
voice and manner, 'and-be careful"
BE careful of what?
"Of-your nerves. You nearly betrayed your secret
tonight at dinner"
Her dark-lashed green eyes looked calmly into his
as she spoke she was near that her gown nearly
touched us him
NY, NY secret
He moistened his dry lips painfully and stared at
her. 'Wfy do you think have "a secret?"
Il have known ever since that evening at the For
bV fare Won olyedc
proud"
The singing in the next room had ceased and some
laughing loudly
Suddenly, though up to that moment he had
never realized the enormity of his writing these
tces, 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
The woman was full of mercy, and she understood
and compassionated him
Don't look at me Like that" he stammered,
using his hands though he would ward off the gaze
that lnrt him. Look, for Gods sake, as-as l de-
serve!"
The truth Of this observation struck them both so
oert to09 that bsf tor was beasb his m ad9d INTO
show do you know-or any one? But-what | have
done is-abominable. II knew it. and yet until now
'"'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 me--look at
like that before?"
the next ROOM and presently Charlie Welter began to
sing in the soft sweet voice that same so surprisingly
from under his grim mustache "Egypt-f you don't
want me, why will you haunt me the way you do?'
Chase listened attentivey. IF you don't want me,
why will you haunt me the way you do? might
never have realized what blackguard l am, if you
had not-spoken so kindly to me- what must do?'
"Oh Mr. Chase, don't ask me! I sorry spoke.
1t nothing to me, ony-you to me to be ill
you are nervous"
He gave short laugh 81 am not ill, Mrs Gwinn.
II have enjoyed doing it, writing those letters. AS
you said, was proud of them. They we'll done.
And | was always IA malicious man, and enjoyed
the power of hurting people. Butt used to be
gentleman And | have loved you for year and
half That is why your kndness-made such fool
of me.
Loved me? II sorry Mr.. Chase
Thanks. T. Breaking off, he listened to the ap-
plause that greeted the ending of the song and then,
his almost grotesquey ugly face turned her. his eyes
plteous 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
you meant anythng-or that you were-wlrolly
Never mind about me-" he hurried on, in plead
ing tone; lust tell me- In Christ's 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 nds-
tlncty Il have-written letter about tit is
To his amazement after scornful stare at him,
she burst into laugh.
81 am sorry-for you Your beautiful reputation
tor truthfuness will be ruined, for every in town
knows that Clara Gresham is visiting her brother and
that having spraned her ankle days ago she has
been unable to leave the apartment ever since Not
only 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 overreached
yourself"
you think am-not glad perhaps have no
right to beg your pardon?"
She looked down at him, still angry but, worse still,
amused
mo, you have not You seem to me to have only
right, Mr. Chase. But l. not having resented your