The Irish standard., 1908-02-22
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Movinu Shadow,

CHAPTER Xxx.
The Moving Shadow.
I'D rather not talk about it tonight.
I'm not equal to it. It's too-too-it's
devilish, Paul. don't seem to be able
to grasp it. can't think about it
with any conference. l was sure-so
sure"
Gordon was staring moodily out Of
the window. one arm hanging idly
over the back of his chair. He had
taken up office room in an empty shop
building across the street from the
hotel.
ITS SO devilish, it's weird" agreed
the ranchman. But your part was
great. You vanquished Jesse Black.
That is more than we hoped for
week ago. Is it your fault or mine
that those fool deputies acted like
flies in tangle.foot and went spraddle-
fingered when something was expect
ed of them? We have nothing to do
with a little thing like broken win
dow-pane."
There was an ugly cut on his fore.
head caused by his violent contact
with the sharp edge of the Window
casing. He was pale, but he had lost
none Of the old faith in himself or in
his power to dominate affairs in the
cattle country. Defeat was intolerable
to him. He refused to bow his head
to it. To-day's check only made him
the more determined. if that were
r0Seif1n In ho 81 ~. eIo
I'LL pull myself together again,
never fear" said Gordon. "Just give
me tonight. You see that's not all.
I've something else to think about,
too. now that have time. 1t takes a
fellows nerve away to have every.
thing that is worth while drop out at
once. But I've rallied before. I know
I'm beastly selfish not to talk to you
tonight, but"
"Dick," interrupted Langford, blunt.
ly, ''did she turn you DOWN."
II never asked her. She is going
back-home-next week."
III you let her."
"You don't quite unerstand, Paul."
said Gordon, a little wearily. "She
said she could never live in this coun-
try-never. She would die here. Could
ask her after that? Could ask any,
way, and be man? I know. She
would just pine away"
Girls don't pine-only in imagina-
tion. They are tougher than you give
them credit for
But somehow, Mary seems differ.
ent," said Gordon, thoughtfully. He
surprised flush in his friends cheek.
"You deserve her, old man, you'll be
very happy. She is the right kind. 1
congratulate you with all my heart
An odd lump came into Langford's
throat. Despite Gordon's vigorous and
healthful manhood, there seemed al
ways certain pathos of life surround
ing him.
Il haven't asked her, either" con.
fessed Paul. But you have made it
possible for me to do so-to.night-
to.morrow-wheneve l can find a
chance. Take my advice, old man,
don't let your girl go. You'll find she
is the kind after all. You don't know
her yet"
Paul left the room, and Gordon
paced the narrow confines of his shah.
by office-back and forth-many
times. Then he threw himself once
more into his chair. The hours we're
long. He had all night to think about
things. When morning came, all his
weakness would be over. No one
should ever again see him so un.
manned as Paul had seen him to.
night. And when Louise should go
his arms fell rerye!essly to the table.
He remained thus moment, his eyes
fixed and unseeinS, and then his
head dropped heavily upon his arms.
Alone in the night Louise awoke.
She found 1t impossible to fall asleep
again. She was nervous. 1t must be
something in the atmosphere. She
tossed and tossed and fiounced and
founced. She counted up to thou
sands. She made her mind a blank
30 often that she flew to thinking to
escape the emptiness of it. Still her
Dyes were wide and her mind fairly
aquiver with activity. She slipped
out of bed. She would tire herself
into sleep. She even dressed. She
would show herself. If she must be .
midnight prowler, she would wear the
garments people affect when they
hsva their thoughts and energies on