The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-05

Yes. l get tired or talking 10 uncle
and Mr. Mcnamara. They treat me
as though l were little girl
When do you take the fatal step?"
What step do you mean?"
Your marriage. When does it &C.
cur? You needn't hesitate" he added
Mcnamara told me about 1t month
ago"
He felt his throat gingerly at the
thought, but his eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
81 think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking"
For some time she led him on adroit-
~, talking OF many things In a way to
make him wonder at her new and flip
pant humor He had never dreamed
she could be ike this-so tantalizingly
close to familiarity and yet so madden
ingly aloof and distant. He grew bold
er in his speech.
How are things going with us?" she
questioned as his warmth grew pro-
nounced. "Uncle won't talk, and Mr..
Mcnamara is as close mouthed as can
be lately"
He looked at her quickly. I'm what
respect?"
She summoned up her courage and
walked past the ragged edge of uncer-
tainty.
Now, don't you try to keep me in
short dresses too. It's getting weari-
some. I've done my part, and want
to know what the rest of you are do
ing" She was prepared for any an
swer.
What do you want. to known he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't you think l can
hear what people are saying?'
ooh, that's 1t. Well, don't you pay
any attention to what people say"
She recognized her mistake and con-
| tinued hurriedly:
''Why shouldn't L? Aren't we all in
! this together? l object to being used
| and then discarded l think I'm emit
/ led to know how the scheme is work
ing. Don't you think I can keep my
mouth shut?"
'Of course" he laughed, trying to
/ change the subject of their talk. But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him, vowing that she would not
leave the Office without piercing some
part of this mystery. His manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind it all. This dis
sipated, brilliant creature knew the sit
uation thoroughly, and yet, though
swayed by her efforts, he remained
chained by caution. She leaned for
ward and smiled at him.
You're just like the others, aren't
you? You won't give me any satisfac-
ton at all''
Give, give, give" said Strive Gym
ically. That's always the woman's
cry. Give me this-give me that. Self
ish sex! Why don't you offer some
thing in return: Men are traders;
women usurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. can help you, there
fore l should do 1t for a smile You
ask me to break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. Well. that's
womanlilze, and I'll do it. I'll put my
self in your power. but I won't do it
gratis. No; We'll trade"
ut isn't curiosity" she denied In
1ignantly; 1T is my due"
mo; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious, that's all. You
think l know something that will
throw a new light or a new shadow
on everything you have in the world,
and you're worked up to such a con-
ditiOn that you can't take your own
peoples word; and, on the other hand,
-
to me. Suppose 1 tell you l had the
papers you brought to me last spring
In that safe and that they told the
whole story-whether your uncle is
unimpeachable or whether he deserved
hanging by that mob-what would you
do, eh? What would you give to see
them? Well, they're there and ready
woman you won't rest till you've seen
them. Will you trader
Yes, yes. Give them to me-" she
cried eagerly, at which a wave of
crimson rushed up to his eyes and he
rose abruptly from his chair. He made
toward her, but she retreated to the
wall. pale and wide eyed.
Vail you ScGg SIG AdnS at A4lA
that l must know?"
He paused. "Of course I can, but
want a kiss to bind the bargain-tc
apply on account" He reached fol-
her hand with his own hot one, but
she pushed him away and slipped past
him toward the door.
Suit yourself" said he, but II Tn
not mistaken you'll never rest till
you've seen those papers. I've studied
you, and I'll place a bet that you can
marry Mcnamara or look your uncle
in the eye till you know the truth
? You might do either If you knew then
70 be crooks. but you couldn't if yor
. only suspected it-that's the woman
When you get ready, come back. II
show you proof. because l don't claim
? to be anything but what l am-WiltoI
CtrfIx-n no nF soma ,noan hill