The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-12-23

"Do you know what you've done?"
he demanded harshly
Eyes; nothing yet. But you would
have done enough to stir this borough
II you had delayed another second"
"Your maid saw
"My maid is my maid
He leaned back in his corner, gray
eyes narrowing.
Naturally" he said, "you are the
one to be considered, not the man in
the case"
"Thank you. Are you the man in the
case?"
'"rhere Is no case" he said coolly.
"Then why worry about meT'
He folded his arms, sullenly at bay.
yet had no premonition of what to ex-
pect from her.
"You were very brutal to me-" she
said at length.
81 know 1t, and l did not intend to
be. The words came"
"You had me at your mercy and
showed me little-a very little at first.
afterward none"
"The words came" he repeated. "I'm
sick with self contempt, tell you" E
She set her white gloved elbow on
the window sill and rested her chin in
her palm.
"That money" she said, with an ef-
fort. you set some aside for me-"
HALF" he nodded calmly.
"Why?"
He was silent.
"Why? did not ask for it. There
was nothing In the-the legal pro-
ceedings to lead you to believe that l
desired it, was there?"
mo"
"Well, then"-her breath came un-
steadily-"what was there in me to
make you think 1 would accept it?''
He did not reply.
ANSWER me. This is the time to an
swer me-"
'The answer is simple enough" he
said in low voice. Together we had
made failure of partnership. When
that partnership was dissolved there
remained the joint capital to be divid-
ed And l divided it. Why not?'
"That capital was yours in the be-
ginning. not mine. What | had of my
own you never controlled, and l took
it with me when l WENT
1T was very little" he said.
"What Of that? Did that concern
you? Did you think l would have ac-
cepted anything from you? A thou
sand times | have been on the point Of
notifying you through attorney that
the deposit now standing in my name
is at your disposal"
"Why didn't you notify me them
he asked. reddening to the temples.
because l did not wish to hurt you
by doing it that way. And l had not
the courage 10 say it kindly over my
own signature That is why, Captain
| SelWyn."
And as he remained silent: "rhat is
what | had to say; not all, because
wish toto thank you for Offering it.
You did not have very much either
and You divided what you had. So
thank YOU. and | return it," The ten
sion forced her to attempt a laugh
so we stand once more on equal terms
unless You have anything of mine tC
return"
Il have your photograph" he said
The silence lasted until he straight
ened up and. rubbing the fog from the
window glass, looked out.
I'VE are in the park" he remarked
turning toward her.
"Yes. l did not know how long il
might take to explain matters. Yor
are free of me now whenever yor
wish"
He picked up the telephone-hesi
tatcd "IIome?" he inquired with n
effort. And Mt the forgotten wore
they looked at one another in stricke!
silence.
yves; to your home first if yor
will let me drop you there
"Thank you. That might be impru
dent"
mo. l think not. You say you art
living with the GerardSE
Yes, temporarily, but I've already
taken another place."
"Where?"
"Oh. it's only a bachelors kennel, {
couple of rooms
"Where, please"
Near Lexington and SiXty-siXth.
could go there. It's only partly fur
nished yet
"Then tell Hudson to drive there"
"Thank you, but it is not neces
sary''-
"Please let me. Tell Hudson or
will"
"You are very kind" he said ant
gave the order.
"NIay 1 ask my question: she said,
"Ask it, child"
"Then are you happy?"
He did not answer.
Because l desire it, Philip. l wan
you to be. You will be, won't you?
did not dream that was running you
army career when I-went mad
"How did it happen, Alike" h
asked. with cold curiosity that chile
! her. "How did 1t come about, wretch
ed as we seemed to be together, ur
happy, incapable Of understandin
oo oh