The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-04-23

JdChct.
u suppose you're very busy. you
lawyer man." she inquired.
"Yes. but not too busy to attend to
anything you want"
''Oh. didn't come on business"
she said lightly 81 was out walking
and merely sauntered in"
well. I appreciate that all the
more" he said In an altered tone.
twisting his chair about. "I'm moro
than delighted" She judged she was
getting on we'll from the way his pro-
fessionalism had dropped of.
"Yes. I get tired Of talking to uncle
and Mr.. McNamara. They treat me
a. though were little girl
"whsn do You take the fatal step"
What step do you mean"
"Your marriage. When does 1t oc-
cur1 You needn't hesitate" be added.
"McNamaFa told me. about month
ago"
He felt his throat gingeriy at the
thought. but bis eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
81 think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking
For some time she led him on adroit-
ly. talking Of many things In 4 way to
make him wonder at her new and dip
pant humor. He had never dreamed
she could be like this-so tantalixingiy
close to familiarity and yet 80 madden
ingly aloof and distant. He grew bold
er in bis speech.
How arc shinss going with us?' she
questioned as his warmth grew pro-
nounced. Uncle won't talk. and Mr.
Mcnamara is as close mouthed as can
be lately"
He looked at her quickly. I'm what
respectT'
She summoned up her courage and
walked past the ragged edge Of uncer-
tainty.
"Now. don't you try to keep me- In
short dresses too. It's getting wsarf-
some. l've dcne.my part. and ! want
to know what the rest OF you are do
ing" She WAS prepared for any an
swer
What do you want to know he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't you think I can
hear what people are sayingT
ooh. that's 1t. Well. don't you pay
any attention to what people say"
She recognized her mistake and con-
tinued hurriedly:
"why shouldn't l? Aren't We all In
this togetherl object to being used
aud then discarded. I think I'm snti-
tied 10 know how the scheme 10 work
ing. Don't you think I can keep my
mouth shuty'
'Of course" be laughed. trying to
change the subject Of their talk. But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him. vowing that she would not
leave the ONCE without piercing some
part Of this mystery. His manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind it all. This dis
sipated, brilliant creature knew the sit
uation thoroughly. and yet though
swayed by her efforts. be remained
chained by caution. She leaned for
ward and smiled at him.
You're just like the others. aren't
you? You won't give me any satisfac-
tion at ALL"
"Give, give. give" said Struve Gym
icaiiy. That's always the womans
CRY. Give me this-give me that. Self
ish sex! Why don't you offer some
thing In return: Men are traders;
women usurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. can help you. there
fore l should do 1t for smile. You
ask me to break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. Well. that's
womanlike, and I'll do 1t. I'll put my
self in your power. but won't do 1t
gratis. No; we'll trade"
"It isn't curiosity" she denied in
dignantly; ut Is my due"
mo; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious, that's all. You
think l know something that will
throw a new light or new shadow
on everything you have In the world.
and you're worked up to such con-
dition that you can't take your own
peoples word; and. on the other hand,
you can't go to strangers. so you come
to me. Suppose I tell you I had the
papers you brought to me last spring
in that safe and that they told the
whole story-whether your uncle Is
unimpeachable or whether he deserved
hanging by that mob-what would you
do, eh? What would you give to see
them? Well. they're there and ready
to speak for themselves. If you're a
woman you won't rest till you've seen
them. Will you trader
"Yes, yes! Give them to me-" she
cried eagerly. at which a wave OF
crimson rushed up to his eyes and he
rose abruptly from his chair. He made
toward her, but she retreated to the
wall. pale and wide eyed.
Cant you see," she flung at him.
that must know"
He paused. ,"Of course can. but
I want q kiss to bind the bargatn-to