The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-05-01
CHAPTER j !. ! ! |: :: Xxx.
he Moninu Shadow.

ueF1llsH' Tdul. oOnC seem to be able
to grasp it. l can't think about it
with any conference. 1 was sure-so
sure"
Gordon was staring moodily out of
the window, one arm hanging idly
over the back of his chair. He had
taken up Office room in an empty shop
building across the street from the
hotel.
Its so devilish, it's WEIRD" agreed
the ranchman. But your part was
great. You vanquished Jesse Black.
That is more than we hoped for
week ago. Is it your fault or mine
that those fool deputies acted like
flies In tangle-foot and went spraddle-
fingered when something was expect
ed of them? We have nothing to do
with little thing like broken win
dow-pane.
There was an ugly cut on his fore
head caused by his violent contact
with the sharp edge of the window
casing. He was pale, but he had lost
none of the old faith in himself or in
his power to dominate affairs in the
cattle country. Defeat was intolerable
to him. He refused to bow his head
to it. Todays check only made him
the more determined, if that were
possible, to free the land of it's shame.
I'll pull myself together again,
never fear" said Gordon. "Just give
me tonight. You see that's not all.
I've something else to think about,
too, now that 1 have time 1t takes
fellows nerve away to have every
thing that is worth while drop out at
once. But Eve rallied before I know
I'm beastly selfish not to talk to you
tonight, but"
Dick interrupted Langford, blunt
ly, did she turn you down.
Il never asked her. She is going
back-home-next week."
If you let her."
"You don't quite unerstand, Paul"
said Gordon, little YEARLY. "She
said she could never live in this coun-
try--never. She would die here. Could
l ask her after that? Could 1 ask any,
way, and be a man? I know. She
would just pine away"
Girls don't pine-only in magma
ton. They are tougher than you give
them credit for
But somehow, Mary seems differ
ent," said Gordon, thoughtfully. He
surprised flush in his friends cheek.
"You deserve her, old man, you'll be
very happy. She is the right kind.
rotu1ofo oil h
An odd lump came into Langfords
throat. Despite Gordon's vigorous and
healthful manhood, there seemed al
ways certain pathos of life surround
ing him.
Il haven't asked her. either" con-
fessed Paul. But you have made it
possible for me to do so-to-night-
Observation-Disclosures l can find a
chance. Take my advice, old man,
don't let your girl go. You'll find she
is the kind after all. You don't know
her yet"
Paul left the room, and Gordon
paced the narrow confines of his shah
by oflce-back and forth-many
times. Then he threw himself once
more into his chair. The hours were
long. He had all night to think about
things. When morning came, all his
weakness would be over No one
should ever again see him so un-
manned as Paul had seen him to-
night And when Louise should 60
his arms fell nervelessly to the table.
He remained thus moment, his eyes
fixed and unseeing, and then his
head dropped heavily upon his arms.
Alone in the night Louise awoke.
She found it impossible to fall asleep
again. She was nervous 1t must be
something in the atmosphere. She
tossed and tossed and flounced and
flounced. She counted up to thou.
sands. She made her mind blank
so often that she few to thinking to
escape the emptiness of it. Still her
eyes were wide and her mind fairly
a-quiver with activity. She slipped
out of bed. She would tire herself
into sleep. She even dressed. She
would show herself. If she must be q
midnight prowler, she would wear the
garments people affect when they
have their thoughts and energies on
matters mundane. Drawing the oil
stove close to the window fronting
the street, she sank into a chair, drew
a heavy shawl over her shoulders, put
her feet on the tiny fender and pre-
pared to fatigue herself into oblivion
A light shone from the window
! across the way. He was still at work
then. He ought not to sit up so late
No wonder he was looking 80 worn
out lately. He ought to have some
one to look after him. He neve,
thought of himself. He never had
time. She would talk to him about
keeping such late hours-if she were
not going back to Gods country next
week. Only next week! It was toe
good to be true-and yet she sighed
But there was no other way. She
ought never to have come. She was
not big enough. He, too, had told he1
she was not the kind. Doubtless, hi