Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-25

then, cared as he cared then. Any
thing had been possible for him Mt that
tlme-any degree Of love, any devotion,
any generous remuneration. Clear
sighted. master Of himself, he saw love
before him and knew 1t when he saw
lt--recognized 1t, was ready for 1t, Of
fered 1t, em boldened by her soft hands
so eloquent in his.
And In his arms he held 1t for an In
slant, he thought, spite of the sudden
Inertia, spite Of the according Of cold
lips and hands still colder relaxed, In
ert-held 1t until he doubted.
Then she had become intelligent
again. with little laughter. little
malice, n becoming tint Of hesitation
and confusion. All the sense. all the
arts, all the friendly sweetness Of
woman thorough In training. schOoled
In self possession. clear enough to be
audacious and perverse without danger
to herself, to the man or to the main
chance.
He lelsurely and mentally took the
measure of his own state of mind and
found all well. all intact, found him
self still master Of his affections and
probably clear minded enough to re-
main SO Under the circumstances.
BY instinct and experience normally
temperate only what was abnormal
and inherited might work MISCHIEF
IN this man. His listlessness, his easy
acuuiescence. were but consequent up
on the self knowledge of self control,
but mastery of the master vice re-
uuired something different. He was
sick OF sickness, and because in this
sickness will. mind and body are faint
ed too, reason and logic lack charity,
and to the signals Of danger his reply
had always been either overconhdent
or weak, and it had been always the
same reply: Not yet. There Is time"
And now, this last week, 1t had come
upon him that the time was now. The
skirmish was already on, and 1t had
alarmed him suddenly to find that the
skirmish was already a battle, and a
rough one.
As he stood there he heard voices on
the stairs. People had already begun
to retire, because late cards and point
shooting at dawn do not agree. And
a point shooting picnic In snugly elab-
crate blinds was popular with women,
or was supposed to be.
Little by little the tumult died away.
He turned and looked grimly Mt his
bed: then. shutting off the lights, he
opened his door and went out into the
deserted corridor, where the elevator
shaft was dark and only the dim night
lights burned at angles In the passage
ways.
He had his rain coat and cap with
him. not being certain of what he
might be driven to, but for the present
he found the bay window overlooking
the swimming tank sufficient to begin
the vigil.
Secure from intrusion, as there were
no bedrooms on that corridor, he toss
ed coat and cap into the window seat,
walked to and fro for awhile listening
to the rain. then sat down, his well
shaped head between his hands, and IN
silence he faced the enemy.
How long he had sat there he did
not know. When he raised his face,
all gray and drawn with the tension
of conflict, his eyes were not very
clear, nor did the figure standing there
in the dim light from the hall mean
anything for moment.
"Mr. Siward?" In an uncertain voice
almost whisper.
He stood up mechanically, and she
saw his face.
"Are you i'll? What is it?"
GIL? No" He passed his hand ovel
his eyes. II fancy was close to the
edge of Sleep" Some color came bach
into his face He stood smiling now
the Significance Of her presence dawn
!. ing on him.
"Did you really Conner he asked
"This isn't very lovely but impalpa
BILE astral vision, Is itY'
cts horribly imprudent, isn't itT
she murmured, still considering the
rather drawn and pallid face Of thu
man before her II came out OF pure
curiosity, Mr.. Siward."
She glanced about her. He moved
| a big bunch Of dollhouse roses so sht
could pass, and she settled down light
! " on the edge Of the window seat
| When he had piled some big down1
cushions behind her back she made
quick gesture of invitation.
II have only a moment" she said al
he seated himself beside her. PAR
of my curiosity is satisfied In finding
you here. 1 didn't suppose you 81
faithful
81 can be fairly faithful. What els
are you curious about?"
"You said you had something impor
tant'-
"To tell you? So did. That wa
bribery, perjury, false pretenses, rob
berry under arms, anything you Will
I only wanted you to come"
''That is q shameful Confession! sh
said. but her smile was gay enough
and she noiselessly shook out he
fluffy skirts and settled herself tim
more deeply among the pillows.
"Of course" she observed aDsently
"you are dreadfully mortified at your
self"
L. tod