The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-02-28


say"
O'Rourke was shown into the room. He
was pale, but his manner was under
perfect control. He made no attempt
to approach Mrs. Spry, but, haying closed
the door. bowed, and. advancing to the
center of the room. laid both hands on
the rail of chair, which he held firmly.
He looked then at Angela, and his brows
contracted ever so little as if in inquiry.
He was playing to look as if he asked
| himself what had induced her to adopt
role so extraordinary as the one sho
had taken up, and his trained sense of
l'hu1nhug came so to his aid that he asked
himself that question unfalteringly. Next
he. looked at the widow, and his glance
was full of appeal. Neither of the women
spoke word, but Angela. with her eyes
fixed upon O'Rourke, reached ont hand
sideways. and took her friend by the
wrist, sliding her hand downward until
the fingers Of both were interlaced
| II have received a letter from you,
| julia" O'Rourke began, Containing an
i4closure in the handwriting of bitter
enemy IL mine, a political rival, who is
enraged at his own want of success.
am here to tell you that that letter CEN
tains one innuendo which is based on
truth. and only one. I am indebted
to your friend, Mr.. Maskelyne. Apart
from that one truth deny every state
ment' the letter contains"
Then he paused, locking from one to
the other of his auditors. Mrs. Spry
drew her hand from her companions, and
half arose, but Angela checked her.
| ct haUiD to CT hot hov IA
a mistake" she said. II fancied you
read the letter you speak Of" She could
60 no further.
II supposed" returned O'Rourke,
'kom the note which accompanied it
that you had done so. l supposed, also,
that you support its statements. l do
not know how you have allowed yourself
to be persuaded of the truth of those
statements, but declare them, on the
faith of an honest man, to be without
foundation"
r'Angela !" cried Mrs. Spry, II knew
it. l was sure of it. It's all a mis-
takev'
THANK you, Julia w cried the patriot :;
thank you"
At this Angela took unexpected fire.
and rising to her feet in sudden self
possession. faced the patriot with flushed
cheeks and glittering eyes.
Il do not rely upon much from you.
Mr.. O'Rourke, upon which 1 might count
with safety from most men. But I will
ask you question or two. if you will be
SO kind ms to answer them"
Il will answer any question you may
ask me, Miss Butler" he answered. in
clining his head with grave courtesy.
Forgive me if l hurt you, dear" said
Angela. swiftly turning to her friend.
you did not know, Mr.. O'Rourke, that
my friend Mrs. Spry was wealthy until
she herself told you so?"
II knew that she was well-to-do." re-
turned O'Rourke, shut l did not know
that she was wealthy. You will remesn-
Der, Julia. that your statement took me
by surprise"
You did not suppose her fortune to
be greater than it really isl"
II certainly did not" said ORourke.
He actually smiled at this, as if the
thought amused him.
Angela rang the bell and sent for Mas
kelyne, who was in the hotel. When he
came Angelo told him of what had occur
red, and he at once told of his converse
ton with O'Rourke about Mrs. Spry's
riches.
tits a lie," said O'Rourke, ERASER
and have quarreled. and he has invent
ed this story TO damage me with you and
with my friends"
The widow suddenly fell on her knees
and threw up her head with Shrek. On
shrek of laughter. Maskeiyne raised
her, and rang the bell for assistance.
O'Rourke stood staring at the pair, a.
much lost for the moment as IL the whole
world had tumbled in ruins about his
ears. waiter knocked at the door and
entered
"Send 4 female servant here, aud run
for DOCTOR" Angela called to him. Mrs.
Spry's wild laughter ran through the
house. A chambermaid locked in at the
open door and ran to her assistance A
dozen people were in the corridor, star
ing with frightened faces.
O'Rourke still retained a grain Of his
customary sefgovernment. He walked
down the corridor and out of the hotel.
His cabman hailedShim, and he threw him
half u crown and strobe toward his cham
bers, desperate. and half beside himself
with rage. His chambers reached, he
entered his bedroom without a word. and.
locking tho door, sat down to think. His
thoughts were too terrible to be endured
without emotion, aud in a little time he
began to pace wildly up and down. Now
and then he groaned aloud.
1t was DARK. and OeRoarke was still
raging up and down his bedroom. when
the maid brought up note and knocked
at the door.
whats the natterr' he asked. un-
| locking the door and thrusting pale
! face into the light of the adjoining room.
"A note, SIR" said the girl, marked
, Immediate
He took it and tore it open with a pas
sibnate eagerness. 1t was from Dob
, roski, and asked him to call upon the
morrow. He cursed Do5roski. for his
usual suavity and self-control had alto
gether deserted him. Then, clinchins
the note in his hand, he slammed tn,
/ door and locked it, and fell to pacing NJ
, and down again
. CHAPTER XXI.
At first he had resolved that he woult
|