Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-05-16

gaze on him, and her lips parted with
out a tremor.
what do you offer FOR what yoy
ask? And do you still ask it? Is
me you are asking me for? Because
you love me? And what do you give
lover"
weigh it with the-Other," he said.
az ave-often-every moment sine
have known you. And what win
ter" Her voice was almost inaudible
"What a winter without your
THAT hell is ended for me too. Sy'
via, I know what l ask And / ask
know what offer. Will you take it?
YES" she said.
He rose, blindly. She stood up, pale
wide eyed, confronting him, stammer
ing out the bargain:
81 take all-all, every virtue, ever,
vice of you / give all-all, all havc
been, all am, all l shall be! Is tina
enough? Oh, If there were only NOR
to give! Stephen, if there were onl.
morep'
Her hands had fallen into his, am
they looked each other in the eyes.
Suddenly through the hush Of th'
enchanted moment a sullen sounC
broke, the sound of voice they knew
threateningly raised, louder and loud
er, growing, profanely menacing.
Aghast, they turned in the darkness
peering toward the lighted space be
yond. Leroy Mortimer, his face shock
ingly congested, stood unsteadily bal
ancing there, confronting his wife, who
sat staring at him in horror. At the
same instant Plank rose and laid {
hand on Mortimer's shoulder but Nor
timer shook him off with a warning
oath.
'You and | will settle with each 9th
er tomorrow he said thickly, pointing
a puffy finger at Plank. you'll find
me at the Algonquin Trust. Do you
hear? That's where you'll settle this
matter-in the presidents office!" He
stood swaying and leering at Plank
repeating loudly: "In Quarters office!
Understand? That's where you'll set
tie up Seer
Leila, white face quivering, shrank
as though he had struck her, and he
turned on her again, grinning: "As for
you, you come home! And that'n be
about all for yours"
"Are you insane to make a scene
like this?'' said Plank.
But Mortimer swung on him insult
ingly and said: That's about all from
you! Leila, are you comingY
He stepped heavily toward her, but
Plank's sudden crushing grip was on
his fat arm above the elbow, and he
emitted a roar of surprise and pain.
Don't touch him! Don't, in heav-
ems namev stammered Leila as Plank,
releasing him, stepped back beside her
chair. Cant you see that | must go
with him? II must go!' She cast
one terrified glance around her, where
scores of strange faces met hers, and
at every table people were standing up
to see better.
Plank, who had dropped Mortimers
arm as the latter emitted his below
of amazement, stepped toward him
again, dropping his voice as he spoke.
''You go! Do you hear?' he said
quietly. 'I'H do what you ask me to-
morrow. 1 will do what you ask If
you'll go now"
"You come! Do you hear?" snarled
Mortimer, turning on his wife, who
had already risen. eff you don't I'll
make a row here that you'll never hear
the end of as long as you live. And
there1l be nothing to talk over in
Quarters Office if do"
Leila looked at Plank, rose and NOV
ed swiftly toward the veranda steps,
her head resolutely lowered, the burn
ing shame flaming in her face. Morti-
mer cast one triumphant glance at
Plank, then waddled unsteadily after
his wife
''Hold on" he growled; give car
here! I'll drive you back-waitl Here
it is! Here we arer' And to Quar-
rier's machinist he said: ''You get into
the tonneau. | want to show Mrs
Mortimer what night driving is. Do
you hear? l tell you I'm going to
drive this machine and show you
howl
Leila scarcely heard him. She obey
ed the impulse of his hand on her arm
and mounted to the seat, staring
straight ahead of her with dazed and
straining eyes that saw nothing.
ITO BE coNTINUED.l