The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-01-22

nerves grew impregnable. The only
thought that dominated his brain nov
was that he had been dangerously
near TO losing happiness. that merci
full Providence had come to the rescue
and that he had drawn up short
breathless. on the verge Of a preci
pice.
He laid his hand ON the gate-latch
and lifted II impatieAtly. He hurried
up the gravel walk to the veranda. and
applied mis- latch-key with trembling
fingers. The house was strangely still
inside, and he tip-toed upstairs to his
! wife's rooms with a heavily. beating
heart. The door was wide open. and
he went in eagerly. The room was
empty. But on a table In the cente,
OF the room lay the letter she had left.
He picked IL up duly and tore the seal
with a blanching face.
Ruth Herrin stood al last in front OF
the little green and white cottage sac
felt by intuition mus: bear the nun.
Ter that corresponded TO the one writ.
Zen ON the scrap OF paper cienchel
tightly In her hand. After n moments
trapple with the surge OF emotions
that threatened 10 overpo~er her. she
pulled herself together and entered
One glance at the number over the
door was sufficient II was Identical
with the one she had cleaned from
the letter. II was almost o'clock, bu,
a dim light still glimmered through
thc t:ansom. and there was the sound
OF suppressed voices beyond. Mrs.
Ecrrin took deep breath and pushed
the bell. II was answered imme dis,eiy
by woman in a white apron and cap.
whom she recognized at once as o
trained nurse.
II beg Your pardon" she said,
but II Is matter of great importance
that brings me here at this hour and
II possible | must see-see her TO
night"
The nurse regarded her suspic.oasiy
Tor a moment, then without a word,
turned and ushered her noiseless.y
into long. low room, lighted softly by
slip OF light from lowered gas.jet
overhe ad.
In the middle of the room was an
invaiid's chair, and In 1t a woman
or the shadow Of one She tried to sit
up but fell back instantly. gasping foI
breath. and turned snnken, inquiring
eyes upon the visitor. You brought
me message from Hunter?" she ask.
ed eagerly. her eyes lighting moment
arily.
Ruth Herrin could not have uttered
word had her life depended upon
II. This then. was the reason she was
admitted. The woman was expecting
news from-her husband,
Il am Mrs. Herrin," she continued
weakly, did you not wish TO see me?
l-oh for Gods sake don't tell me
there is anything wrong--that any
thing has happened toto HIM"
Her tiny hands. resting on the arms
OF the chair, locked like bits Of wax.
Her face was sharpened 20 pitiabie an.
giles, and her eyes sunken uncannily.
Obviously. the woman was In a dying
condition.
Ruth Herrin shook from head TO
foot. She must say something. do
something: she feltsstony, frozen. But
a certain desperation that came to her
seemed to bring with IL calm. and she
answered quite easily: Mrs. Herrin.
did You say? regret exceedingly 10
have disturbed YOU, but It is not the
name. ! must have made mistake In
the house. She turned toward the
door. And almost simultaneously Il
opened from the other side, and sho
stood face to face with her husband.
The sick woman pulled herself up In
her chair. glad light suffusing her
6allil face. "Oh. Hunter. I'm SO glad
you've come at last l thought you
never would. I've been waiting and
! beg your pardon.
miss, my husband will show you out.
and perhaps he may be able TO help |
fou find the place. i" The poor,
weak voice trailed of to a whisper |
md she sank back in her cushions.
Mrs. Herrin made further apologies
or her intrusion, and turned to follow /
him out. Herrin's face was ashen.
md the grim lock in his eyes made
hem look almost CLASSY. For the first
lime in his life Hunter Herrin felt
his poise slipping from under his feet.
Out In the street, they faced each
'ther with tragic eyes.
Ruth, for the love OF God"
But she shrank back. shuddering, re
'nising him with gesture OF loathing
There are just few seconds &c
pare" she said In cold. perfectly
controlled tone. land ] would like To
ay what | have TO say and put an end
o all intercourse between US forever.
The woman In there is dying. Doubt.
ess you are at the bottom OF that. She
'elieyes herself your lawful wife. You
ave wrecked two women's lives and
one beyond repair. All you
an do is TO try to make her last hours
appy. II there Is a spark OF manhood
Eft in your cowardly breast. the path
{ duty lies clear before you"
Herrin stared at her stupidly. his