The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-02-15

i
lawyer mani" she inquired. -
Eyes. but not too busy TO attend TO
anything you want"
"Oh, didn't come on business
she said lightly. II was out walking
and merely .sauntered in"
"Well, appreciate that all the
more" he said In an altered tone'
Twisting his chair about. I'm more
than delighted" She judged she was
getting on well from the way his pro-
fessionalism had dropped off.
"Yes. l get tired OF talking TO uncle
and Mr.. Mcnamara. They treat me
as though l We're little girl"
when do you take the fatal stepT
| "What step do you meanf"
"Your marriage. When does 1t &C.
cur? You needn't hesitate" he added.
"McNamara told me about 1t a month
ago"
He felt his throat cingerly at the
thought. but his eyes frightened when
she answered lightly:
| II think you are mistaken. He must
have been joking"
| tut soult tiliie sue tu niih on uuAoit-
", talking of many things In a way to
make him wonder mt her new and Flip
pant humor. He had never dreamed
she could be like this-so tantalizingly
close to familiarity and yet so madden
lngly aloof and distant. He grew bold
er In his speech.
How are thugs going with usY 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. in what
respectf'
| She summoned up her courage and
tainty.
Now, don't you try TO keep me In
short dresses too. It's getting weari-
some. I've done 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 knowT" he
asked cautiously.
Everything. Don't you think can
hear what people are saylngT'
"Oh. that's IT, 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 together? object TO being used
and then discarded. | think I'm EMIL
tied TO know how the scheme Is work /
Ing. Don't you think | can keep my|
mouth shutY'
| "Of course" he laughed, trying to|
change the subject OF their talk. But
she arose and leaned against the desk
near him. vowlng that she would not
leave the Office without piercing some
part Of this mystery. His manner
strengthened her suspicion that there
was something behind 1t all. This dis
sipated. brilliant creature knew the sit
uation thoroughly. and yet, though
swayed by her efforts. he 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-
ton at ALL"
GIVE, give, give said Strive Gym
ically. That's always the woman's
cry. Give me this-give me that. Self
ish sex! Why don't you offcr some
thing In return? Men are traders;
women usurers. You are curious;
hence miserable. | can help you, there
fore 1 should do Il for a smile. You
ask me to break my promises and risk
my honor on your caprice. We'll. that's
womanlile, and IN do II. I'll put my
self in your power. but | won't do II
gratis. No; Wen trade"
1T isn't curiosity" she denied In
dignantly; ''it is my due"
mo; you've heard the common talk
and grown suspicious, that's all. You
think know something that will
throw n new light or a new shadow
on everything you have In the world.
and you're worked up to such a 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 tell you 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. II you're a
woman you won't rest till you've seen
them. VIII you trader
Yes. yes! Give them TO me-" she
cried eagerly, at which 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 known"
He paused. "Of course l can, but
[ want a kiss 20 bind the bargaln-to
apply on account" He reached for
her hand with his own hot one, but
she pushed him away and slipped past
him toWn ri the door y