The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-11-26
CONTINUED from Page a.

ne, or your wicked eyes of woman.
or the fascination of the mask you
turn on the world and the secret Wis
age. naked In Its vice. that you re-
serve for me. But love youth my
fashion. Count on that. Howard. for
that Is all you can surely count on.
And now, at last, you know"
AS he stood there it came to him
slowly that deep within him he had al
ways known this; that he had never
really counted on anything else, though
he had throttled his doubts by cover
ing her throat with diamonds. Her |
her pallor. her acquies-
cence. the delicate hint Of depravity in
her. the subtle response to oil that was
worst in him had attracted him. only .
to learn. little by little. that the faint
Of corruption was only a faint infect
ing others, not her; that the promise
Of evil was only promise; that he
had to deal with young body. but
an old intelligence. and mind so old
that Mt moments her faded gaze al
most appalled, him with Its indolent
clairvoyance.
Long since he kn< /, too, that In all
the world he COW never again find
such a mate for him. This had. I'M
admitted even to himself. always re-
manned hidden secret within this Sc
cret man, an unacknowledged, un-
drawn on reserve In case Of the fail
ure which he, even In sanguine moods,
knew In his inmost corrupted soul that
his quest was doomed to.
And now he had no more need OF &C.
crets from himself. Now. turning his
gaze inward, he looked upon all with
which he had chosen to deceive him.
self And there was nothing left for
self deception.
"1f I marry you," he said calmly, lat
least l know what | am getting"
Il will marry you, Howard. I've
got to marry somebody pretty soon
You or Captain Voucher"
For an instant vicious light flashed
In his narrowing eyes. She saw 1t
and shook her head with weary Gym
icism.
mo, not that. 1t could not attract
me even with you. 1t is really vulgar
that arrangement. Noblesse oblige,
mon ami There is a depravity in mar
rying you that makes all lesser vices
stale as virtues"
He said nothing. She looked at him
lazily amused: then, inattentive. turn
ed and paced the floor again.
"Shall see you tomorrow he de
manded.
"If you wish. Captain Voucher came
down on the same train with me. IL
set him adrift If you like"
els he preparing for declaration?'
sneered Quarter.
II think So" she said simply.
"Well, If he comes tonight after Tn
gone, you wait a final word from me
Do you understand" he repeated. witt
repressed violence.
mo. Howard. Are you going t
propose to me tomorrow
you'll know tomorrow" he retort
ed angrily. II tell you to wait. Nv
right to that much consideration
anyway"
Every we'll. Howard" she said, rec
ognizing III him the cowardice whic
she had always suspected to be there.
She babe him good night. He touch
ed her hand, but made no offer to kis
her. She laughed a little to herself
watching him striding toward the elt
vator.
She turned leisurely. her slim hand
balanced lightly on her narrow hip
and strolled into the second dressin
room. where Mrs. Vendenning sat su
lenly indulging In that particular sp
cies of solitaire known as 1.-The Idiot
Delight"
| "Well?" inquired Mrs. Vendennin
| looking up at the tall. pale girl ST
was chaperoning SO carefully durir
their sojourn in town. what d
| Howard Quarter want"
/ HE knows, think. but he hasn't y
Informed me-"
II 'T'll tell you one thing. Agatha
said Mrs. Vendenning gathering 7
the packs for new shuttle. "Gra'
Ferrall doesn't fancy Towards ate
ton to you. and she's beginning to 81
SO. When you go back to Shotov
you'd better let him Alone"
III uCt 8OAAS OuSA w NoAOlOSCA
said Agatha.
"What?" Ss4&l 6
mo, / don't think so. However.
let you know tomorrow. 1t all Deepen
= but l don't expect to-" She turn
as her maid tapped on the door. 20
Captain Voucher. Are you at home
him7' Tipping the pasteboard on
the table among the scattered cards
Eyes," said Mrs. Vendenning aggrt
sively. unless you expect him to a.
down on his knees tonight Do you
II don't-tonight. Perhaps TOM
row. don't know. can't tell We
And to her maid she nodded that th
were at home to Captain Voucher.
Quarter had met him. too, just
he was leaving the hotel lobby. Th
exchanged the careful salutations
men who had no use for one anoth
On the Englishman's clean cut face