Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-30
eaned back, tilted against a shadowy

leaned back, tilted against shadowy
column.
In the darkness his hand encounter
ed hers on the wooden rail, and the
tremor of the contact silenced her.
She freed one finger, then let it rest
with its slender fellow prisoners,
There was no use In trying to speak
just then-utterly useless her voice in
the soft rounded throat imprisoned by
the swelling pulses that frightened and
hammered and frightened.
Years seemed to fall away from her,
slipping back, back into girlhood, into
childhood, drawing not her alone on
the gliding tide, but carrying him with
her. An exquisite languor held her.
Drifting deliciously, her eyes some
times meeting his, sometimes lost in
the magic Of her reverie, she lay. there
In her chair, her unresisting fingers
locked in his.
Odd little thoughts came lowering in
to her reverie-thoughts that seemed
distantly familiar the direct. uncon-
Scious impulses of a child. To feel
was once more the only motive for
expression; to think fearlessly was
once more Inherent: to desire was to
demand-unlock her lips. naively, and
ask for what she wished.
Under the spell she turned her blue
gaze on him, and her lips parted with.
out tremor
What do you offer for what you
ask? And do you still ask it! Is it
me you are asking me for? Because
you love me? And what do you give
love?"
weigh it with the-other," he said.
Il have-often-every moment since
| have known you. And what Il win
teri" Her voice was almost inaudible
What winter-without you!"
THAT hell Is ended for me too. Syl.
via, l know what | ask And l ask
l know what offer Will you take it?"
Yes" she said.
He rose, blindly. She stood up, pale,
wide eyed, confronting him, stammer-
ing out the bargain:
Il take all-all, every virtue, every
vice of you. l give all-all, all have
been, all l am, all shall be! Is that
enough? Oh, if there were only more
to give! Stephen, if there were only
morer'
Her hands had fallen into his, and
they looked each other in the eyes.
Suddenly through the hush of the
enchanted moment sullen sound |
broke the sound Of 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 a
hand on MOrtimer's shoulder, but Nor
timer shook him off with a warning
oath.
- you and I will settle with each 9TH
err tomorrow" he said thickly, pointing
a puffy finger at Plank. You'll find
hilC at lht Algonquin lluol. bO gOu
hear? That's where you'll settle this
matter-in the presidents offlce. He
stood swaying and leering at Plank,
repeating loudly: "In Quarters office!
Understand? That's where you'll set
tie up! See"'
Leila, white face quiverlng, 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 roar Of surprise and pain.
Don't touch him. Don't. in heav-
ems namer stammered Leila as Plank,
releasing him. stepped back beside her
chair. Cant you see that must so
with him? IL must co. She cast
one terrified glance around her, where
scores Of strange faces met hers, and
at every table people were standing up
IN 500 hpt'n"