Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-04

and II had hardly needed what she had
heard him say to the servants. when
he thought her flying hotioot over the
lawn to safety. to harden suspicion
into certainty. D.. -.
And now that he should ind her
here. q second time trespasser.
doubly an ingrate-that he should
have caught her red-handed In this
abominably ungrateful treachery! She
could pretend. Of course. that she had
returned merely to restore the jewels
and the cigarette case: and he would
believe her. for he was generous. She
could. but--she could not. Not now.
Yesterday, the excitement had buoyed
her; she had gained q piquant enjoy
Ment from befooling him, playing her
part OF the amateur cracksman in this
little comedy of the stolen Jewels. But
therein lay the difference; yesterday
1t had been comedy, but today-ah!
to-day she could no longer laugh. For
now she cared.
A little lie would clear her-yes.
But II was not to be cleared that she
now so passionately desired; 1t was
to have him believe in her, even
against the evidence OF his senses.
even in the face OF the worlds con-
demnation: and to prove that he, too.
cared-cared for her as his attitude
toward her had taught her TO care.
Ever since leaving him In the dawn
she had fed her starved heart with the
fot
he would come to care a little. that he
would not utterly despise her, that he
would understand and forgive, when
ne learned why she had played out
her part. nor believe that she was the
embodiment Of all that was ignoble.
coarse. and crude; that he would show
little faith in her. a little faith
that like tlickering taper might light
the way for-!Ove.
But that hope was now dead within
her. and cold. She had but to look
at him to see how groundless 1t had
been, how utterly unmoved he was by
her distress. He waited patiently
that was a,l-seeming so very tall. a
pillar of righteous strength, distin-
gushed and at ease in his evening
clothes: waiting patient but cold. dis
passionate and disdainful.
Il am waiting. you see. Might sug-
gest that we have not all week for
our-our mutual differences"
His tone was altogether changed:
she would hardly have known 1t for his
voice. Its iucisive. clipped accents
were like a knife to her sensitiveness
She summoned the reserve of her
strength. stood erect. unsupported. and
moved forward without a word. He
stood aside. holding the lamp high.
and followed her. lighting the way
down the hall to the study.
Once there. she sank Quivering into
a chair. while he proceeded gravely to
the desk. put down the lamp-super-
fiuous now. the gas having been
lightsd-and after a moments thought
faced her, with a contemptuous smile
and lift Of his shoulders. thrusting
hands deep into his pockets.
Well" he demanded, cuttingly.
She made a little motion of her
hands. begging for time; and. assent
ing with a short nod. he took q turn
up and down the room. then distracted
ly reached up and turned out the gas.
When you are quite composed
should enjoy hearing Jour statement"
'I-have none to make"
"So,"-with his back to the lamp.
towering over and expressing her
with the sense Of his strength and self
control That is very odd, isn't it,"
Il have no-no explanation to give
that would satisfy you, or myself"
she said. brokenly II don't care
what you think" with a flicker Of de-
fiance Believe the worst and-and
do what you will-have me arrested"