The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-03-05

office, he recollected and pulled cut the
note, breaking the seal In sort OF
daze. He glanced at the handwriting
trlhe impatiently at first. But sud
denly his eyes swan red i little
hoarse cry caught in his threat and
he turned ashen. Jack very ill-per'
haps dying-perhaps dead! lie did
not wait to read the letter through,
but with groan turned and tore his
way through the congested 1hrongs
that packed about the doors.
He forgot that there had ever ex'
listed such n thing as copper; Wall
street faded into oblivion. When he
reached the house an ominous still
ness reigned outside and in. His
knees shook under him as he stag
gered up the stairs. With his trem
bling fingers on the doorknob he stood
painting for breath, fearing to open the
door But after minute he controlled
himself and went in. The child was
sitting on the floor, playing with some
toys. The nurse was darnng In a
corner and Kathleen was nowhere in
evidence.
Jack"
Marsden's relief was so great that
he sank into chair, his breath almost
sobblng through his white lips. He
was perfectly limp after the strain OF
the past hour, but every other emotion
was swallowed up In the feeling OF in.
tense thankfulness that envelopet
him. When he had collected himself
sufficiently, he spoke
Where is your mistress, Zella?" He
turned 10 the maid.
she went out, saying she would be
back in time for luncheon"
But she-she sent me n note, did
she not?"
Yes, sir; | think she did"
Marsden pondered the situation be
whereby, a slow light forcing Its
way on his brain. II was probably
mere device, trick OF Kathleen's to
break him up In the Street. He had
explained to her that II would be i'm.
possible for him to stay at home al
this particular time and she-thls was
| her-revenge! Tears, reproachcs
threats--she had meted them out In
plenty to carry her point. and failing
she had deliberately essayed this last
Outrage. Well. she had succeeded
at last. His summary absence at the
most critical period had doubtless lost
him his last penny. This recalled hin
to the necessity for immediate action
and he rose and went to the telephone
and rang up his brokers. II was as he
had thought, 1t was too late now to
cover: everything had been swept
away by the rapid break in prices.
| A curious feeling of revulsion sud
denly came over Marsden. II, indeed
Kathleen cared so deeply as all this
then why not reconcile himself to the
life of toll that. in his penniless state
stretched inevitably before him? Aft.
er all. perhaps life in its simpler so
luton, held much greater joys than
he knew
Presently door opened downstairs
Steps approached and In another mo
ment the nursery door was thrown
open.
Mrs. Marsden came In nervously
very pale, her dark eyes shrinking
from her husbands quick glance
There was transltory hurt look in
his face, but he accused her by neither
word nor gesture.
She paused half way across the
floor. Her eyes were bright, her lips
beginning to culver.
Dick" she said, penitently. Dick
forgive mel"
For space he made no answer, and
she bent forward claspng her hands
Il was mad. beside myself" she hur
rledly on In little gasping way. mad
20 think there was nothing could take
you away from--from that; not for o
single day--not for single hour! l.
devil entered my heart--I was de
termined to-" Her voice trailed OF
TO whisper. and she stopped, breath
ling hard. She shook from head L
foot.
Marsden rose and laid an Affection
ate hand across her shoulder, drawing
her over to him.
Never mind, little girl" he said;
I'm afraid that haven't always
treated you just fair and right in my
blind selfishnes3. And In the long run
am the more to blame. But wei
start life all over again--in earnest
All these things will have to go, OF
course. but we are both young and
we have each other. | am strong
enough to do any sort Of work."
What do you mean?"
She had fallen back, her hand going
to her throat as though she felt stifled.
He looked at her in perplexity, his
eyes clouding.
why, It is quite clear. isn't It? ]
had to leave right In the midst OF Q
crisis. ! threw down everything
did not even think TO arrange with
anyone about protecting my stock
The boy was dying, as thought--as
your words led me to believe. God!
what was money-what was anything
compared TO our ch..d?"