Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-10-28
CHAPTER xvII.-continued.

you dropped it in the trunk-closet.
[ found it there. There is something
Of mine in it?"
Dumb with misery, she nodded; and
after a little: You didn't look, of
course"
Il had no right" he said, shortly
"Other men wo-would have thought
they had the right. I th-think you
had, the circumstances considered. At
all events" steadying her voice, Il
say you have, now. l give you that
right. Please go and investigate that
handbag, Mr. Maitland. wish you to-
He turned and stared at her curious
ly. Il don't know what to think" he
said. II can not believe"
You mu-must believe. ! have no
right to profit by your disbelief Dear
Mr.. Maitland, you have been kind to
me, very kind to me; do me this last
kindness, If you will"
The young face turned to him was
gravely and perilously sweet; very
nearly he forgot all else. But that
she would not have.
do this for me. What you will find
will explain everything. You will I'M
derstand. Perhaps" - timidly "per-
haps you may even find 1t in your
heart to forgive when you understand.
If you should, my card-case is in the
bag, and" She faltered, biting her
lip cruelty to steady voice quivering
with restrained sobs. please, please
go at once, and-and see for yourself!"
she implored him passionately.
OF sudden he found himself re-
solved. Indeed, he fancied that it
were dangerous to oppose her; she
was overweight, on the verge of los
ing her command of SELF She wished
this thing, and though with all his soul
he hated it, he would do as she de-
sired
Very WELL" he assented quietly.
Shall stop the cab now?"
Please"
He tapped on the roof of the han
som and told the cabby to draw in at
the next corner. Thus he was put
down not far from his home-below
the Thirty-third street grade.
Neither spoke as he alighted, and
she believed that he was leaving her
in displeasure and adherence; but he
had only stepped behind the cab for a
moment to speak to the driver. In a
moment he was back, standing by the
step with one hand on the apron and
staring in very earnestly and soberly
at the Swallowed sweetness of her pal
lid face, that cleaned in the gloom
there like some pale, shy, sad flower.
Could there be evil combined with
such sheer loneliness, with features
that in every line bodied forth the
purity of the spirit that abode within !?
In the soul of him he could not believe
that a thief's nature fed canker-like at
the heart of a woman so divinely,
naively dear and desirable. And-he
would not
Won't you let me go?"
Just a minute. IL should like to
IF find that you have done nothing
so very dreadful" he laughed uneasi-
ly, do you wish to known"
You know / do" She could not
help saying that, letting him see that
far into her heart
You spoke of my calling, believe.
That means tomorrow afternoon, at
the earliest. May i not call you up on
the telephone?"
The number is in the book" she
said in a tremulous voice.
And your name in the card-case?"
Eyes"
And If / should call in half an
hour"
20, shall not sleep until know!
Good night"
Good night! Drive on, cabby."
He stood, smiling queerly, until the
hanson, climbing the Park Avenue
hill, vanished over its shoulder. Then
swung about and with an eager step
retraced his way to his rooms, very
confident that. God was in his heaven
and all well with the world.
III.
The cab stopped. The girl rose
and descended to the walk. The driver
touched his hat and refined the horse
away. Good night, ma am. he babe
her, cheerfully. And she told him
Good night In her turn.