The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-06-17

Under the spell she turned her blue
gaze on him. and her lips parted with
out q tremor.
what do you offer fo= what you
ask2 And do you still ask 1t? Is It
me you are asking me for? Because
you love me? And what do you give
lover
weigh it with the-other," he said.
81 have-often-every moment since
l have known you. And what win
teri" Her voice was almost inaudible.
what a winter-without your
THAT hell is ended for me too. Syl-
via, | know what l ask. And l ask.
l know what offer. VIII you take it?"
Yes" she said.
He rose blindly She stood up, pale.
wide eyed, confronting him, stammer-
ing out the bargain:
81 take all-all, every virtue, every
vice Of you. l give all-all, all have
been, all am, all shall be! Is that
enough? Oh, if there were only more
to give. Stephen, if there were only
morew
Her hands had fallen into his, and
they looked each other in the eyes.
Suddenly through the hush Of the
enchanted moment a sullen sound
broke, the sound of a voice they knew,
threateningly raised, louder and loud
er, growing prOfanely menacing.
Aghast, they turned in the darkness,
peering toward the lighted space be-
yond. Leroy Mortimer, his face shock
ingly congested, stood unsteadily bal
ancing there, confronting his wife, who
sat staring at him in horror. At the
same instant Plank rose and laid
hand on MOrtimer's shoulder but Nor
timer shook him off with warning
oath.
"You and | will settle with each 9th
er tomorrow he said thickly, pointing
a puffy finger at Plank. You'll find
me at the Algonquin Trust. DO you
hear? That's where you'll settle this
matter-in the presidents Office" He
stood swaying and leering at Plank.
repeating loudly: I'm Quarters office!
Understand? That's where you'll set
tie up! See
Leila, white face quivering, shrank
as though he had struck her, and he
turned on her again. grinning: AS for
you, you come home And that'll be
about all for yours"
Are you insane to make a scene
like this?" said Plank.
But Mortimer swung on him insult
ingly and said That's about all from
you! Leila, are you coming|
He stepped heavily toward her. but
Plank's sudden crushing grip was on
his fat arm above the elbow, and he
emitted a roar of surprise and pain.
Don't touch him! Don't, in heav-
ems name"' stammered Leila as Plank,
releasing him, stepped back beside her
chair. Cant you see that | must go
with him? IL must gO"' She cast
one terrified glance around her, where
scores OF strange faces met hers, and
at every table people were standing up
to see better.
Plank, who had dropped Mortimer's
arm as the latter emitted his below
of amazement, stepped toward him
again, dropping his voice as he spoke.
You go! DO you hear?" he said
quietly. "I'll do what you ask me to-
morrow. will do what you ask II
you'll go now"
you come! Do you hear?" snarled
Mortimer, turning on his wife, who
had already risen. "If you don't I'll
make row here that you'll never hear
the end OF as long as you live. And
there'll be nothing to talk over In
Quarters office If do"
Leila looked at Plank, rose and NOV
ed swiftly toward the veranda steps,
her head resolutely lowered, the burn
ing shame flaming in her face. Morti-
mer cast one triumphant glance at
Plank, then waddled unsteadlly after
his wife
Hold on" he growled; 1--WE a car
herel I'll drive you back-wait. Here
1t Is. Here we arev' And to Quar-
riers machinlst he said: you get into
the tonneau. l want to show Mrs.
Mortimer what night driving is. Do
you hear? | tell you I'm going to
drive this machine and show you
howl
Leila scarcely heard him. She obey
ed the impulse Of his hand on her arm
and mounted to the seat, staring
straight ahead Of her with dazed and
straining eyes that saw nothing.
Then Mortimer clambered to his seat
and without an instants warning
opened up and seized the wheel.
Unprepared, the machinist attempt
cd to swing aboard, missed his foot
ing in the uncertain light and fell
sprawllng on the gravel. Plank saw
him from the veranda and instantly
vaulted the rail to the lawn below.
"You d-n fool" yelled Mortimer,
looking around what do you think
you'n dor And he clapped on full
speed as Plank made leap for the
car and missed.
Mortimer laughed and turned his
bead to look back. and the next In