Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1908-09-18
He
CHANGE

Yes, at last the lifelong battle was
on. He knew 1t. He knew. too, what
ever bis fate with her or without her
he must always 20 on with the battle
for the safeguarding OF that manhood
the consciousness of which she had
aroused.
All he knew was that, through the
medium of his love for her, whatever
In him Of the spiritual remained or
had been generated, was now awake,
alive, strong. vital, indestructible-an
impalpable current flowing from a
sane Intelligence, through medium Of
her, back to the eternal truth, return
ing always, always, to the deathless
source from whence 1t came.
Lingering over the fruit, the cham
payne breaking in the glasses stand
Ing on the table between them. rim to
rim, Leila and Plank had fallen into
low. desultory, yet guarded exchange
OF words and silences.
Sylvia sprang up and pushed her
chair into the farther corner against
the balcony rail. where no light fell
except the radiance Of the stars. Here
Siward Joined her. dragging his chair
around SO that 1t faced her as she
leaned back. tilted against a 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 1t rest
with It's 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 child. To feel
was once more the only motive for
expression: to think fearlessly was
once more Inherent; to desire was to
damand-unlock her lips, naively, and
osk for what she wished
Under the spell she turned her blue
gaze on him, and her lips parted with
out tremor.
81 What do you offer for what you
ask? And do you still ask it? Is 1t
me you are asking me for? Because
you love me7 And what do you give
loye?" t7s
Weigh It with the-other," he said.
II have-often--ey moment since
! have known you, And what win
terri Her voice was almost inaudible.
"What d winter-without your
"That hell is ended for me too. Syl-
& via, Il know what l ask. And I ask.
know what offer. VIII you take it?"
Yes, she said. ,>.,-.. =.
He rose, blindly. She stood up, pale,
wide eyed, confronting him. stammer-
y ing out the bargain: l ss E---s. E :.
] take all--all, every virtue, every
vice Of you. give all-all, all have
been, all I am, III shall be! Is that
enonghP oh, IL there were only more
to giye Stephen. II there were only
more!'
Her hands had fallen into his, and
they looked each other In the eyes.
Suddenly through the hush of the
enchanted moment a sullen sound
broke. the sound Of a voice they knew,
threataningly raised, louder and loud \
81, growing, profanely menacing.
Aghast, they turned In the darkness,
peering toward the lighted space be-
You'd. Leroy Mortimer, his face shock
ingly congested, stood unsteadily bal
ancing there, confronting his wife, who
sat staring at him in8 horror. At the
same Instant Plank rose and laid a
hand Mortimer's shoulder, but Nor
timer shook him Off with warning
oath. VI
You and will settle with each 9th.
or tomorrow he said thickly, pointing
+ a puffy finger at Plank. ''Youn find
me at the Algonquin Trust DO you
hear? That's where you'll settle this
matter In the presidents Officer, He
stood swaying and leering at Plank,
repeating loudly q In Quarters office!|
Understand ? That's where you'll set
tie upl See II "a s5j
Leila, white face quivering, ahrank
gig though he had struck her, and he |
turned on her again, grinning ..As for
You, you come homel And thatll be i
about all for yours.
s'sa Are you Insane to make a scene
like this e. said Plank.
But Mortimer swung on him INSULT
singly and said That's about all from
.syoul Leila, are YOU coming
s He stepped heavily toward her. but
gPlank's sudden crushing grip was on
I his int arm above the elbow, and he
emitted % roar f surprise and pain.
ssh Don't touch hinl DON'T In heay-
ems na1nelo stammarcd Leila as Plank,
releasing him, stepped back beside her
chair. Can't you see that i mist 90!
with him? ]. III must goi, She CAST
one terrified glance around her III here