Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-26
The Fighting
Chance. easS s, y:
Copyright Publishing
Copyright
Copyright, 1905 by the Curtis Publishing Company.
Copyright, 1906 by Robert w. Chambers

sun had daZzleu his eyes. ana Wnen TIC
turned on his crutches he could not
see clearly for Il second. That past.
he looked Mt Sylvia, looked at her out
stretched hand, took 1t mechanically
still staring at her with only daZed
unbelief III his eyes.
II am in town for day she said
Leila Mortimer and were driving
uptown from the bank when we saw
you. and the next thing that happened
was me, on Fifth avenue, running aft
err you-no. the next thing was my fly
ing leap from the hanson and my
standing there looking down the street
and across the square where you sat
Then Leila told me | was probably
crazy. and Immediately confirmed
her diagnosis by running after YOU
She stood laughing. flushed, sun
burned and GREATNESS. her left hand
still In his. her right hand laid over 1T.
ooh" she said. with a sudden change
to anxiety, "docs IL tire you to stand?'
mo. was going to saunter along"
May l saunter with you for mo-
ment2 l mean-1 only mean, l am
glad to see you"
do you think am going to let You
60 now?" he asked astonished.
She looked at him; then her eyes
evaded his. LET US walk little"
she said, withdraw her hand, III
you think you are strong enough"
Strong! Look, SYLVIA and he stood
Unsupported by his crutches, then
walked a little way, slowly, but quite
firmly. IL am rather a coward. about
my foot, that is all shall not lug
these things about after today"
Ibid the doctor say you might?'
Eyes, after today. could walk
home now without them. I could do
good many things I couldn't do few
minutes ago. Isn't that curious?'
Very" she said. avoiding his eyes.
He laughed She dared not look at
him. The excitement and impetus Of
sheer impulse had carried her this far
Now all the sadness of it was clutch
ing hard at her throat, and for awhile
she could not speak-walking there In
her dainty summer gown beside him.
the very incarnation of youth and
health, with the sea tan on wrist and
throat, and he. white, hollow eyed.
crippled. limping. at her elbow.
Yet at that very moment his whole
, frame seemed to glow and his heart
clamor with the courage In 1t, for he
was thinking of Plank's words, and he
knew Plank had spoken the truth. She
could not give herself to Quarter If he
stood firm. His was the stronger will.
after all; his was the right to inter
fere, to stop her, to check her, to take
her, draw her back-as he had once
drawn her from the fascination Of de-
struction when she had swayed out too
far over the cliffs at Shotover.
II came in with Leila. We're asked
to Lenox for the weeks end. We go
to Stockbridge on the early train to-
morrow morning" she said.
"I'm not going to let you go yet"
said Siward.
eff I took to my heels here in the
park, would you chase me, Stephens"
she asked. with mock anxiety.
Eyes, and If I couldn't run fast
enough I'd call that policeman. Now
do you begin to understand"
"Oh, I've always understood that
you were spoiled. I'm partly guilty Of
the spelling process too. Listen. I'll
walk with you little way"-she
looked at him-"a little way" she con-
tinued gently; then l must go. There
is only a caretaker In our house, and
Leila will be furious If leave her all
alone. Besides, We're going to dine
there, and it won't be very gay II
don't give few orders first"
But you brought your maid"
Naturally"
"rhen telephone her that you and
. Leila are dining out
"Where. silly? DO you want us to
dine somewhere with your
"Want you? You've got to"
stephen, 1t isn't best"
at is best"
She turned to him impulsively. ooh.
] do want to so much! Do you think
l might? 1t is perfectly delicious t.
see YOU n.~~'', 1-.-N'r have no idea"